@ 58537364:705b4b85

ในร่างกายที่มันมีสิ่งที่เรียกว่า… ระบบประสาท ทีนี้มีอะไรเข้ามากระทบร่างกาย คือกระทบระบบประสาท ปฏิกิริยามันก็เกิดขึ้น เป็นเหตุการณ์ อย่างใดอย่างหนึ่งขึ้น

เหตุการณ์นั้นแหละสำคัญ ถ้าให้เกิดความรู้สึกที่ถูกใจมันจะเป็นบวก เหตุการณ์นั้นไม่รู้สึกถูกใจแก่จิต มันก็จะเป็นลบ #ตัวกูเพิ่งเกิดเมื่อมีการกระทบแล้ว

ถ้าเหตุการณ์ที่เป็นบวกเกิดขึ้น ตัวกูบวกก็เกิดขึ้น เหตุการณ์ที่เป็นลบเกิดขึ้น ตัวกูที่เป็นลบเกิดขึ้น #ตัวกูนี้เกิดหลังเหตุการณ์ ขอให้เข้าใจดีๆ ไม่ใช่เกิดอยู่ก่อน

ตัวกูคลอดออกมาจาก situation ที่มากระทบระบบประสาท เช่นว่า… ไม่ได้กินอาหาร ขาดอาหาร มันหิว ความหิวเกิดขึ้นแก่ระบบประสาท ต่อมาจึงเกิด concept ว่า กูหิว, มีการกินแล้วจึงเกิด concept ว่า กูกิน

ถ้ามีอาการอร่อยแก่ลิ้น มันจึงเกิด concept ว่า… กูอร่อย หรือ มาทีหลังเหตุการณ์เสมอ จะถือว่าเป็น product ของเหตุการณ์นั้น ๆ ก็ได้

นี่คือความที่ไม่มีตัวจริง มิใช่ของจริง ของสิ่งที่เรียกว่าตัวกู #ขอให้รู้จักว่าตัวกูนี้มันเป็นมายาถึงขนาดนี้

ฟังดูการพูดอย่างนี้ มันเป็น logic แต่ความจริงของธรรมชาติมันเป็นอย่างนั้น ถือตามกฎ logic ธรรมดาสามัญ ที่พูดกันอยู่นี้ไม่ได้ ต้องถือตามความเป็นจริงที่ว่า มันเป็นอยู่อย่างไร

จิตก็เป็นธาตุชนิดหนึ่ง สิ่งแวดล้อมต่างๆ ที่เป็นธาตุชนิดหนึ่ง พอมาถึงกันเข้า ก็เกิดปฏิกิริยาออกมาอย่างนั้นอย่างนี้ ความรู้สึกที่เรียกว่า… #จิตคิดนึกได้นี้_ก็เป็นปฏิกิริยาที่เกิดขึ้นเท่านั้น แล้วความรู้สึกว่าตัวกู ตัวนี้ก็เป็นเพียงปฏิกิริยาที่เกิดขึ้นเท่านั้น.

มันฟังยากสำหรับท่านทั้งหลายที่ว่า ผู้กระทำนั้นเกิดทีหลังการกระทำ มันผิด logic อย่างนี้

แต่ความจริงเป็นอย่างนั้น self หรือ ego ผู้กระทำจะเกิดทีหลังการกระทำ เป็นปฏิกิริยาของการกระทำ

ความคิดอย่าง ตรรกะ หรืออย่างปรัชญา เอามาใช้กับสิ่งนี้ไม่ได้ ขอยืนยันไว้อย่างนี้

ถ้าท่านยังไม่เชื่อ ท่านก็ไปคิดดูเรื่อย ๆ ไปเถอะ ท่านจะพบว่ามันไม่เป็นอย่างกฎเกณฑ์ทางตรรกะหรือทางปรัชญา ที่เรามีๆ กันอยู่

ผู้กระทำเป็นเพียง concept ไม่ใช่ตัวจริง ส่วนการกระทำมันเป็นเหตุการณ์ของธรรมชาติ พอเข้ามาถึงจิตแล้ว ก็เกิดความคิด ความเชื่อ ความยึดว่าตัวกู

ตัวกูซึ่งเป็นเพียง concept ไม่ใช่ของจริง

พุทธทาสภิกขุ

อตัมมยตาประทีป

ชีวิตใหม่และหนทางเข้าถึงชีวิตใหม่

หน้า_๒๙๕-๒๙๖

@ 6be5cc06:5259daf0

Introdução

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 Autorreferência

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.

@ cae03c48:2a7d6671

Bitcoin Magazine

The Trump’s American Bitcoin Merges with Gryphon, Reports 215 BTC on Balance Sheet Since Launch

American Bitcoin Corp (ABTC), a newly formed private Bitcoin mining company backed by Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., announced in a June 10 SEC filing that it has acquired 215 Bitcoin (BTC) since launching operations on April 1, 2025. The reserve is currently valued at approximately $23 million, showing their drive and commitment to Bitcoin. 

JUST IN: American Bitcoin Corp (private) reports to have 215 #bitcoin (per 31 May) since it's launch on April 1, 2025.

They will merge with Gryphon Digital $GRYP and become public under ticker $ABTC.

They mention "Bitcoin accumulation is not a side effect of ABTC’s business.… pic.twitter.com/wq1Uxr76Z2

— NLNico (@btcNLNico) June 10, 2025

“Bitcoin accumulation is not a side effect of ABTC’s business. It is the business,” the company stated in the filing.

Furthermore, ABTC has entered into a merger agreement with Gryphon Digital Mining ($GRYP), and the combined company is expected to begin public trading under the ticker $ABTC as early as Q3 2025. 

The company’s three-layer strategic plan—outlined in the SEC disclosure—details a focused approach:

Layer 1: Build the Engine

• ABTC’s foundation is built on “producing Bitcoin below-market cost through a capital efficient, infrastructure-light operating model.” The company owns and operates over 60,000 miners from Bitmain and MicroBt, running primarily on Hut 8-managed facilities.

Layer 2: Scale the Reserve

• ABTC had “accumulated approximately 215 Bitcoin in reserve since launching on April 1, 2025,” which it considers a long-term strategic asset. The firm states its goal is “to utilize public markets and strategic financing structures to access efficient capital and leverage that capital to increase its Bitcoin in reserve per share.”

Layer 3: Lead the Ecosystem 

• The company ultimately aims to use its operational scale and mining position to drive industry-wide adoption. “ABTC may pursue opportunities to support protocol development, enhance network infrastructure and contribute to Bitcoin’s resilience and adoption in ways that align with shareholder value creation.”

For mining rewards, ABTC uses Foundry and Luxor pools with sub-1% fees and relies on Coinbase Custody for secure cold storage, featuring multi-factor authentication and strict withdrawal protocols. 

With operations across Niagara Falls, NY; Medicine Hat, AB; and Orla, TX, ABTC is leveraging strategic partnerships—primarily with Hut 8—to scale its Bitcoin holdings while influencing the broader crypto mining ecosystem.

This post The Trump’s American Bitcoin Merges with Gryphon, Reports 215 BTC on Balance Sheet Since Launch first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.

@ 97c70a44:ad98e322

When developing on nostr, normally it's enough to read the NIP related to a given feature you want to build to know what has to be done. But there are some aspects of nostr development that aren't so straightforward because they depend less on specific data formats than on how different concepts are combined.

An example of this is how for a while it was considered best practice to re-publish notes when replying to them. This practice emerged before the outbox model gained traction, and was a hacky way of attempting to ensure relays had the full context required for a given note. Over time though, pubkey hints emerged as a better way to ensure other clients could find required context.

Another one of these things is "relay-based groups", or as I prefer to call it "relays-as-groups" (RAG). Such a thing doesn't really exist - there's no spec for it (although some aspects of the concept are included in NIP 29), but at the same time there are two concrete implementations (Flotilla and Chachi) which leverage several different NIPs in order to create a cohesive system for groups on nostr.

This composability is one of the neat qualities of nostr. Not only would it be unhelpful to specify how different parts of the protocol should work together, it would be impossible because of the number of possible combinations possible just from applying a little bit of common sense to the NIPs repo. No one said it was ok to put t tags on a kind 0. But no one's stopping you! And the semantics are basically self-evident if you understand its component parts.

So, instead of writing a NIP that sets relay-based groups in stone, I'm writing this guide in order to document how I've combined different parts of the nostr protocol to create a compelling architecture for groups.

Relays

Relays already have a canonical identity, which is the relay's url. Events posted to a relay can be thought of as "posted to that group". This means that every relay is already a group. All nostr notes have already been posted to one or more groups.

One common objection to this structure is that identifying a group with a relay means that groups are dependent on the relay to continue hosting the group. In normal broadcast nostr (which forms organic permissionless groups based on user-centric social clustering), this is a very bad thing, because hosts are orthogonal to group identity. Communities are completely different. Communities actually need someone to enforce community boundaries, implement moderation, etc. Reliance on a host is a feature, not a bug (in contrast to NIP 29 groups, which tend to co-locate many groups on a single host, relays-as-groups tends to encourage one group, one host).

This doesn't mean that federation, mirrors, and migration can't be accomplished. In a sense, leaving this on the social layer is a good thing, because it adds friction to the dissolution/forking of a group. But the door is wide open to protocol additions to support those use cases for relay-based groups. One possible approach would be to follow this draft PR which specifies a "federation" event relays could publish on their own behalf.

Relay keys

This draft PR to NIP 11 specifies a self field which represents the relay's identity. Using this, relays can publish events on their own behalf. Currently, the pubkey field sort of does the same thing, but is overloaded as a contact field for the owner of the relay.

AUTH

Relays can control access using NIP 42 AUTH. There are any number of modes a relay can operate in:

1. No auth, fully public - anyone can read/write to the group.
2. Relays may enforce broad or granular access controls with AUTH.

Relays may deny EVENTs or REQs depending on user identity. Messages returned in AUTH, CLOSED, or OK messages should be human readable. It's crucial that clients show these error messages to users. Here's how Flotilla handles failed AUTH and denied event publishing:

LIMITS, PROBE, or some other reflection scheme could also be used in theory to help clients adapt their interface depending on user abilities and relay policy.

1. AUTH with implicit access controls.

In this mode, relays may exclude matching events from REQs if the user does not have permission to view them. This can be useful for multi-use relays that host hidden rooms. This mode should be used with caution, because it can result in confusion for the end user.

See Frith for a relay implementation that supports some of these auth policies.

Invite codes

If a user doesn't have access to a relay, they can request access using this draft NIP. This is true whether access has been explicitly or implicitly denied (although users will have to know that they should use an invite code to request access).

The above referenced NIP also contains a mechanism for users to request an invite code that they can share with other users.

The policy for these invite codes is entirely up to the relay. They may be single-use, multi-use, or require additional verification. Additional requirements can be communicated to the user in the OK message, for example directions to visit an external URL to register.

See Frith for a relay implementation that supports invite codes.

Content

Any kind of event can be published to a relay being treated as a group, unless rejected by the relay implementation. In particular, NIP 7D was added to support basic threads, and NIP C7 for chat messages.

Since which relay an event came from determines which group it was posted to, clients need to have a mechanism for keeping track of which relay they received an event from, and should not broadcast events to other relays (unless intending to cross-post the content).

Rooms

Rooms follow NIP 29. I wish NIP 29 wasn't called "relay based groups", which is very confusing when talking about "relays as groups". It's much better to think of them as sub-groups, or as Flotilla calls them, "rooms".

EDIT: Flotilla has migrated to exclusively use "managed rooms" — i.e., fully NIP 29 compliant rooms. Relays without NIP 29 support can still support chat, but all messages will be presented as sent to a single room. I've removed references to unmanaged rooms in what follows.

~~Rooms have two modes - managed and unmanaged. Managed~~ rooms follow all the rules laid out in NIP 29 about metadata published by the relay and user membership. In either case, rooms are represented by a random room id, and are posted to by including the id in an event's h tag. ~~This allows rooms to switch between managed and unmanaged modes without losing any content.~~

Managed room names come from kind 39000 room meta events, ~~but unmanaged rooms don't have these. Instead, room names should come from members' NIP 51 kind 10009 membership lists. Tags on these lists should look like this: ["group", "groupid", "wss://group.example.com", "Cat lovers"]. If no name can be found for the room (i.e., there aren't any members), the room should be ignored by clients.~~

Rooms present a difficulty for publishing to the relay as a whole, since content with an h tag can't be excluded from requests. ~~Currently, relay-wide posts are h-tagged with _ which works for "group" clients, but not more generally. I'm not sure how to solve this other than to ask relays to support negative filters.~~ I have ideas on how to solve this in future iterations of relay-based groups, for example using virtual relays or just a better rooms spec.

Cross-posting

The simplest way to cross-post content from one group (or room) to another, is to quote the original note in whatever event kind is appropriate. For example, a blog post might be quoted in a kind 9 to be cross-posted to chat, or in a kind 11 to be cross-posted to a thread. kind 16 reposts can be used the same way if the reader's client renders reposts.

Posting the original event to multiple relays-as-groups is trivial, since all you have to do is send the event to the relay. Posting to multiple rooms simultaneously by appending multiple h tags is however not recommended, since group relays/clients are incentivised to protect themselves from spam by rejecting events with multiple h tags (similar to how events with multiple t tags are sometimes rejected).

Privacy

Currently, it's recommended to include a NIP 70 - tag on content posted to relays-as-groups to discourage replication of relay-specific content across the network.

Another slightly stronger approach would be for group relays to strip signatures in order to make events invalid (or at least deniable). For this approach to work, users would have to be able to signal that they trust relays to be honest. We could also use ZkSNARKS to validate signatures in bulk.

In any case, group posts should not be considered "private" in the same way E2EE groups might be. Relays-as-groups should be considered a good fit for low-stakes groups with many members (since trust deteriorates quickly as more people get involved).

Membership

There is currently no canonical member list published by relays (except for NIP 29 managed rooms). Instead, users keep track of their own relay and room memberships using kind 10009 lists. Relay-level memberships are represented by an r tag containing the relay url, and room-level memberships are represented using a group tag.

Users can choose to advertise their membership in a RAG by using unencrypted tags, or they may keep their membership private by using encrypted tags. Advertised memberships are useful for helping people find groups based on their social graph:

User memberships should not be trusted, since they can be published unilaterally by anyone, regardless of actual access, so it's better to think of them as "bookmarked groups" or "favorites". Possible improvements in this area would be the ability to provide proof of access:

• Relays could publish member lists (although this would sacrifice member privacy)
• Relays could support a new command that allows querying a particular member's access status
• Relays could provide a proof to the member that they could then choose to publish or not

Moderation

There are two parts to moderation: reporting and taking action based on these reports.

Reporting is already covered by NIP 56. Clients should be careful about encouraging users to post reports for illegal content under their own identity, since that can itself be illegal. Relays also should not serve reports to users, since that can be used to find rather than address objectionable content.

Reports are only one mechanism for flagging objectionable content. Relay operators and administrators can use whatever heuristics they like to identify and address objectionable content. This might be via automated policies that auto-ban based on reports from high-reputation people, a client that implements NIP 86 relay management API, or by some other admin interface.

There's currently no way for moderators of a given relay to be advertised, or for a moderator's client to know that the user is a moderator (so that they can enable UI elements for in-app moderation). This could be addressed via NIP 11, LIMITS, or some other mechanism in the future.

General best practices

In general, it's very important when developing a client to assume that the relay has no special support for any of the above features, instead treating all of this stuff as progressive enhancement.

For example, if a user enters an invite code, go ahead and send it to the relay using a kind 28934 event. If it's rejected, you know that it didn't work. But if it's accepted, you don't know that it worked - you only know that the relay allowed the user to publish that event. This is helpful, becaues it may imply that the user does indeed have access to the relay. But additional probing may be needed, and reliance on error messages down the road when something else fails unexpectedly is indispensable.

This paradigm may drive some engineers nuts, because it's basically equivalent to coding your clients to reverse-engineer relay support for every feature you want to use. But this is true of nostr as a whole - anyone can put whatever weird stuff in an event and sign it. Clients have to be extremely compliant with Postell's law - doing their absolute best to accept whatever weird data or behavior shows up and handle failure in any situation. Sure, it's annoying, but it's the cost of permissionless development. What it gets us is a completely open-ended protocol, in which anything can be built, and in which every solution is tested by the market.

@ 43820409:694a54a4

This is a brief summary.

This is the best article ever created.

You may be wondering why?

Why

Because we made it.

How

• It just is
• Everyone agrees

---

Thank you for your attention.

End.

@ b1ddb4d7:471244e7

Jason Lowery’s thesis, Softwar: A Novel Theory on Power Projection and the National Strategic Significance of Bitcoin, reframes bitcoin not merely as digital cash but as a transformative security technology with profound implications for investors and nation-states alike.

For centuries, craft brewers understood that true innovation balanced tradition with experimentation—a delicate dance between established techniques and bold new flavors.

Much like the craft beer revolution reshaped a global industry, bitcoin represents a fundamental recalibration of how humans organize value and project power in the digital age.

The Antler in the Digital Forest: Power Projection

Lowery, a U.S. Space Force officer and MIT scholar, anchors his Softwar theory in a biological metaphor: Bitcoin as humanity’s “digital antler.” In nature, antlers allow animals like deer to compete for resources through non-lethal contests—sparring matches where power is demonstrated without fatal consequences. This contrasts sharply with wolves, who must resort to violent, potentially deadly fights to establish hierarchy.

The Human Power Dilemma: Historically, humans projected power and settled resource disputes through physical force—wars, seizures, or coercive control of assets. Even modern financial systems rely on abstract power structures: court orders, bank freezes, or government sanctions enforced by legal threat rather than immediate physical reality.

Lowery argues this creates inherent fragility: abstract systems can collapse when met with superior physical force (e.g., invasions, revolutions). Nature only respects physical power.

Bitcoin’s Physical Power Engine: Bitcoin introduces a novel solution through its proof-of-work consensus mechanism. Miners compete to solve computationally intense cryptographic puzzles, expending real-world energy (megawatts) to validate transactions and secure the network.

This process converts electricity—a tangible, physical resource—into digital security and immutable property rights. Winning a “block” is like winning a sparring match: it consumes significant resources (energy/cost) but is non-destructive.

The miner gains the right to write the next page of the ledger and collect rewards, but no participant is physically harmed, and no external infrastructure is destroyed.

Table: Traditional vs. Bitcoin-Based Power Systems

Power System

Mechanism

Key Vulnerability

Resource Cost

Traditional (Fiat/Banking)

Legal abstraction, threat of state force

Centralized points of failure, corruption, political change

Low immediate cost, high systemic risk

Military/Economic Coercion

Physical force, sanctions

Escalation, collateral damage, moral hazard

Very high (lives, capital, instability)

Bitcoin (Proof-of-Work)

Competition via energy expenditure

High energy cost, concentration risk (mining)

High energy cost, low systemic risk

Softwar Theory National Strategic Imperative: Governments Are Taking Notice

Lowery’s Softwar Theory has moved beyond academia into the corridors of power, shaping U.S. national strategy:

1. The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve: Vice President JD Vance recently framed bitcoin as an instrument projecting American values—”innovation, entrepreneurship, freedom, and lack of censorship”. State legislation is now underway to implement this reserve, preventing easy reversal by future administrations.
2. Regulatory Transformation: The SEC is shifting from an “enforcement-first” stance under previous leadership. New initiatives include:
   • Repealing Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 (SAB 121), which discouraged banks from custodying digital currency by forcing unfavorable balance sheet treatment.
   • Creating the Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit (CETU) to develop clearer crypto registration/disclosure rules.

The Investor’s Lens: Scarcity, Security, and Asymmetric Opportunity

For investors, understanding “Softwar” validates bitcoin’s unique value proposition beyond price speculation:

• Digital Scarcity as Strategic Depth: Bitcoin’s fixed supply of 21 million makes it the only digital asset with truly inelastic supply, a programmed scarcity immune to political whims or central bank printing.

  This “scarcity imperative” acts as a natural antidote to global fiat debasement. As central banks expanded money supplies aggressively (Global M2), bitcoin’s price has shown strong correlation, acting as a pressure valve for inflation concerns. The quadrennial “halving” (latest: April 2024) mechanically reduces new supply, creating built-in supply shocks as adoption grows. * The Antifragile Security Feedback Loop: Bitcoin’s security isn’t static; it’s antifragile. The network strengthens through demand: * More users → More transactions → Higher fees → More miner revenue → More hashpower (computational security) → Greater network resilience → More user confidence.
  This self-reinforcing cycle contrasts sharply with traditional systems, where security is a cost center (e.g., bank security budgets, military spending). Bitcoin turns security into a profitable, market-driven activity. * Institutionalization Without Centralization: While institutional ownership via ETFs (like BlackRock’s IBIT) and corporate treasuries (MicroStrategy, Metaplanet) has surged, supply remains highly decentralized.

  Individuals still hold the largest share of bitcoin, preventing a dangerous concentration of control. Spot Bitcoin ETFs alone are projected to see over $20 billion in net inflows in 2025, demonstrating robust institutional capital allocation.

The Bitcoin Community: Building the Digital Antler’s Resilience

Lowery’s “Softwar” theory underscores why bitcoin’s decentralized architecture is non-negotiable. Its strength lies in the alignment of incentives across three participant groups:

1. Miners: Provide computational power (hashrate), validating transactions and securing the network. Incentivized by block rewards (newly minted BTC) and transaction fees. Their physical energy expenditure is the “muscle” behind the digital antler.
2. Nodes: Independently verify and enforce the protocol rules, maintaining the blockchain’s integrity. Run by users, businesses, and enthusiasts globally. They ensure decentralized consensus, preventing unilateral protocol changes.
3. Users: Individuals, institutions, and corporations holding, transacting, or building on bitcoin. Their demand drives transaction fees and fuels the security feedback loop.

This structure creates “Mutually Assured Preservation”. Attacking bitcoin requires overwhelming its global, distributed physical infrastructure (miners/nodes), a feat far more complex and costly than seizing a central bank’s gold vault or freezing a bank’s assets. It transforms financial security from a centralized liability into a decentralized, physically-grounded asset.

Risks & Responsibilities

Investors and policymakers must acknowledge persistent challenges:

• Volatility: Bitcoin remains volatile, though this has decreased as markets mature. Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) is widely recommended to mitigate timing risk.
• Regulatory Uncertainty: While U.S. policy is increasingly favorable, global coordination is lacking. The EU’s MiCAR regulation exemplifies divergent approaches.
• Security & Custody: While Bitcoin’s protocol is robust, user errors (lost keys) or exchange hacks remain risks.
• Environmental Debate: Proof-of-Work energy use is scrutinized, though mining increasingly uses stranded energy/renewables. Innovations continue.

Jason Lowery’s “Softwar” theory elevates bitcoin from a financial instrument to a socio-technological innovation on par with the invention of the corporation, the rule of law, or even the antler in evolutionary biology. It provides a coherent framework for understanding why:

• Nations like the U.S. are looking to establish bitcoin reserves and embracing stablecoins—they recognize bitcoin’s role in projecting economic power non-violently in the digital age.
• Institutional Investors are allocating billions via ETFs—they see a scarce, secure, uncorrelated asset with antifragile properties.
• Individuals in hyperinflationary economies or under authoritarian regimes use bitcoin—it offers self-sovereign wealth storage immune to seizure or debasement.

For the investor, bitcoin represents more than potential price appreciation. It offers exposure to a fundamental reorganization of how power and value are secured and exchanged globally, grounded not in abstract promises, but in the unyielding laws of physics and mathematics.

Like the brewers who balanced tradition with innovation to create something enduring and valuable, bitcoin pioneers are building the infrastructure for a more resilient digital future—one computationally secured block at a time. The “Softwar” is here, and it is reshaping the landscape of p

@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3

I'm solo parenting for a couple of days, so I got lots of activity and not a lot of sleep. I stuck to my fasting window, but didn't stick to OMAD, and mostly ate healthy stuff.

How'd you do on your ~HealthAndFitness goals stackers?

https://stacker.news/items/1005114

@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3

I know more of the talk is around the Bucks and Giannis, but the Knicks have actually made a huge move already, plus we have some Knicks fans in our midst.

Despite having their best season of the 21st century, the Knicks fired their highly respected coach for not making it to the NBA Finals (which no one expected them to do).

Is this just standard Knicks malpractice? If so, what further malpractice might they commit?

Or, is it part of a legit plan (as unlikely as that seems)? And, if so, what else is in that plan?

The obvious starting place is KAT. I thought KAT had a great season, but he definitely did some dumb KAT stuff in the playoffs. Will the Knicks trade KAT (and whatever else) to land either KD or Giannis? Should they?

If they trade for Giannis, does he play center? If not, they also need a stretch-5, because Giannis can't play next to a traditional big.

KD would be a little cleaner, plus the Suns need a center and supposedly Booker and KAT are buds. KD could slot in at the 4 and give them a starting 5 of - Robinson - KD - OG - Bridges - Brunson

With Hart coming off the bench, that's an awesome 6-man rotation. It's basically what they had, but with KD in place of KAT.

Is KD enough better than KAT for this to be a title team?

What else might be going on with the Knicks?

https://stacker.news/items/1005038

@ 3c389c8f:7a2eff7f

Most of my time on Nostr, relays served content simply based on what was requested. Clients mostly requested follow list based content, and often only if the user requested to 'read' from a particular relay. Very simple, though not ideal. Clients that attempted to offer some 'global' or 'universal' feed made it possible to discover some new things but also served spam, redundant bot posts, and even some malicious things that managed to make it through a relay's filters. Paid relays began to gain some ground, with better filters to reduce spam and malicious content, which has helped a lot to clean up these broader feeds that expand beyond the follow-based timeline. Many of the relays hosted redundant content, too, which is important but it's not the only thing that is. The system still left a lot to be desired, particularly for anyone who has understood the potential behind the client-relay set up. Other concerns, like relay centralization through user concentration, still needed to be discussed and addressed.

Despite the voicing of relay diversity advocates, this system seemed to provide most of what people were looking for to replace their typical social media experience. Still, though, reply spam attacks found their way through, as they do. Web-of-Trust relays began to pop up to help mitigate the problem. Using contact lists and extended contact lists as a method of reducing the prevalence of spam has worked really well, but does have it limitations as to how new users can enter into these social graphs, without already knowing someone who is using Nostr. Also not ideal, but it has been a step forward for Nostr's social media use case. Hosted relay services that offered more diverse policy for a relay to operate under finally began to take some hold for those that wanted more choice and control. Still though, potential had barely been breeched.

It might have been before the WoT relay movement, but of nowhere (not really but it kind of seemed like it), a cat relay appeared within the ecosystem. This silly, fun, cute, clever relay collected notes with the #catstr hashtag and used some fancy image analysis stuff (that I can't explain) to collect notes and images of nothing but cats. Such a simple thing, but that was a catalyst (🥁) moment for Nostr. A relay could do more than just collect notes from following lists?? A couple more iterations of the curated content relay model came to be, driving home the idea that this wasn't some silly pie-in-the-sky concept. It was an aha moment for some, sheer joy for the relay advocates, and a turning point for expanding Nostr beyond the basic social media replacement. Very few client options for simply browsing one relay existed at the time, and while it was novel to see, the rest of the framework to support it was not strong nor very easy to use. Even with this dilemma, the catstr relay set off what has become some of the most interesting and useful innovation that has happened within the Nostr ecosystem since I arrived.

Since then, I have spent a lot of my time on Nostr exploring some of what has been developed on the relay front, experimenting where I have found the opportunity and thinking a lot about where this all could lead. Innovation on both the relay and client sides of Nostr have been expanding, not quite in lockstep, but closely enough that someone like myself can now easily jump onto a client like Jumble.social and get a glimpse into what is happening and get an idea of the potential of what is yet to come. For those working in the relay field, I am sure this feels like one slow moving train. For a client developer, it probably feels a little overwhelming to shift an entire model away from what has worked for something that will work better. As a less-than-technical user who is mostly disconnected from any major development, it's exciting. Relay diversity brings actual utility to Nostr. It also brings the assurances that Nostr offers, which whether we have been subjugated to these problems before or not, it is the main reason why Nostr exists and why we are here using it now.

For most anyone reading this, it probably sounds like some weird, unnecessary history lesson. This is actually one long introduction into a little mini-series of relay recaps though.... I was wondering what I would write about next, and this is it. I may just be a user but I'm an adventurous one and I pay attention, so I'm excited to share some of my thoughts, experiences, and observations over the coming weeks... because exciting isn't a strong enough word for the what I see as possible. :)

@ a296b972:e5a7a2e8

Nur für‘s Protokoll. Hiermit erkläre ich, Georg Ohrweh, im tatsächlich vorhandenen vollen Besitz meiner geistigen Kräfte, dass Herr Lauterbach, gleich welche Position er in Zukunft noch bekleiden sollte, für mich nicht zuständig ist. Basta.

Ein Erguss dieses verhaltensoriginellen Über-alles-Bescheidwissers:

„Wir kommen jetzt in eine Phase hinein, wo der Ausnahmezustand die Normalität sein wird. Wir werden ab jetzt immer im Ausnahmezustand sein. Der Klimawandel wird zwangsläufig mehr Pandemien bringen.“

Wie kann es sein, dass solch eine Ausnahme-Gestalt, die schon rein äußerlich die Phantasie zu Vergleichen anregt, sich leider auch genauso verhält, wie die Gestalten, die in diesen Phantasien vorkommen, ungebremst auf der Panik-Klaviatur kakophonische Klänge erzeugen darf? Obwohl ein wenig Wahrheit ist auch enthalten: Wir sind tatsächlich immer im Ausnahmezustand, im Ausnahmezustand des fortgeschrittenen Wahnsinns.

Wie kann es sein, dass dieser Haaaarvardist seinen persönlich empfundenen Ausnahmezustand zum Allgemeingut erklären kann? Welche Verknüpfungs-Phantasien hat er sonst noch studiert? Er ist ja auch noch Vorsitzender im Raumfahrtausschuss. Was kommt als Nächstes? Eine Klima-Pandemie, verursacht durch außerirdische Viren, die die Temperaturen beeinflussen können? Im aktuellen Zeitgeist gibt es nichts, was nicht gedacht wird. Wem die besseren Absurditäten einfallen, der gewinnt. Man muss sich schon den gegebenen Denkstrukturen etwas anpassen, aber sich auch ein wenig Mühe geben.

Nach dem Wechsel der ehemaligen Außen-Dings zur UN (mit dem Ziel, aus den Vereinten Nationen die Feministischen Nationen zu gestalten) und des ehemaligen Wirtschafts-Dings in den Außenausschuss und als Gastdozent in Kalifornien (Thema: Wirtschaftsvernichtung unter Einbeziehung des gespannten Verhältnisses unter Geschwistern aufgrund ärmlicher Verhältnisse, am Beispiel des Märchens von Hänsel und Gretel) , jetzt auch noch der ehemalige Chef-Panikmacher zur WHO.

…und der Wahnsinn wurde hinausgetragen in die Welt, und es wurde dunkel, und es ward Nacht, und es wurde helle, und es ward Tag, der Wind blies oder auch nicht (was macht der Wind eigentlich, wenn er nicht weht?), und es ward Winter, und es wurde kälter, und es wurde wärmer, und es ward Sommer. Es regnete nicht mehr, die Wolken schwitzten. Und Putin verhinderte (wer auch sonst), dass das Eis in der Antarktis abnahm.

Wiederholte Bodentemperaturen in der Toskana von 50 Grad Celsius. Zu erwartende Wassertemperaturen während Ferragosto an der italienischen Adria von durchschnittlich 100 Grad Celsius. An Stellen mit wenig Strömung stiegen schon die ersten Kochblasen auf. Doch dann kam der durch Lachs gestählte, salzlose Super-Karl und rettete mit einem durch die WHO diktierten Klima-Logdown die gesamte Menschheit. Wer besser, als er konnte wissen, dass ein Klima-Logdown weitgehend nebenwirkungsfrei ist.

Was für ein Segen, dass Karl der Große, der uns so siegreich durch die Corona-Schlacht geführt hat, jetzt auch gegen das Klima in den Krieg zieht.

Wer kennt das nicht, Tage der Qual, in denen man zugeben muss: Ich hab‘ heute so schlimm Klima.

Viele Klimaexperten, die weltweit in der Qualitätspropaganda zitiert werden, zeichnen sich besonders dadurch aus, dass sie mit einer maximalen Abweichung von einem Grad Celsius ein Thermometer fehlerfrei ablesen können. Diese Ungenauigkeit wird der Erdverkochungsexperte sicher als erstes beheben.

In einer aufopfernden Studie während eines Urlaubs in 2023, in der um die damalige Zeit erstmals eisfreien Toskana, hat er den von ihm ausgetüftelten Klimaschutzplan ins Rheinische übersetzt. Titel: „Schützen Sie sisch, und, äh, andere!“ Weiter konnte er erforschen, dass die Bodentemperatur nicht immer mit der Temperatur des Erdkerns übereinstimmen muss.

Durch seine unermüdlichen Studien, können Hitzetote in Zukunft besser zugeordnet werden. Man weiß dann, ob jemand an hohen oder mit hohen Temperaturen gestorben ist. Der asymptomatische Klimawandel kann so in Zukunft viel besser bewertet werden. Man hat aus geringfügigen Fehlern gelernt und die Methoden erheblich verbessert.

Eine präzise Vorhersage der Jahreszeiten, vor allem die des Sommers, wird bald ebenfalls möglich sein. Es kann jetzt vor jahreszeitbedingten, teilweise sogar täglich schwankenden Temperaturveränderungen rechtzeitig gewarnt werden. Im Herbst können Heizempfehlungen für die ahnungslose Bevölkerung herausgegeben werden. Frieren war gestern, wissen wann es kalt wird, ist heute. Es wird an Farben geforscht, die noch roter sein sollen, als die, die jetzt in den Wetterkarten bei 21 Grad bereits verwendet werden.

Eine allgemeine Heizpflicht soll es europaweit zunächst nicht geben.

Weiter soll die Lichteinstrahlung der Sonne noch präziser bestimmt werden, damit den Europäern, in Ergänzung zur mitteleuropäischen Sommerzeit, jetzt auch noch genau mitgeteilt werden kann, wann es Tag und wann es Nacht ist.

Das Hinausschauen aus dem Fenster, zum Beispiel, ob es schon dunkel draußen ist, erübrigt sich. Die Tageszeit, in Ergänzung zur herkömmlichen Uhrzeit, wird demnächst automatisch mit dem Klima-Pass übermittelt werden. Zu Anfang natürlich erst einmal freiwillig.

Durch die persönliche ID können dann auch schnell und unkompliziert Sonderprämien überwiesen werden, sofern man sich klimakonform verhalten hat, damit man sich rechtzeitig vor Winterbeginn eine warme Jacke oder einen Mantel kaufen kann. Das Sparen von Bargeld auf eine bevorstehende größere Anschaffung von Winterkleidung wird somit überflüssig.

Ob es am Ende nun um Hitze oder Kälte geht, spielt eigentlich gar keine Rolle, denn wie wussten schon die Ahnen zu berichten: Was gut für die Kälte ist, ist auch gut für die Wärme.

Westliche Mächte unternehmen immer wieder Versuche, eskalierend auf den Ukraine-Konflikt einzuwirken, damit man atombetriebene Heizpilze aufstellen kann, an denen sich die Europäer im Winter auch im Freien wärmen können.

Wie praktisch, dass man nicht nur Gesundheit und Klima, sondern auch Klima und Krieg miteinander verbinden kann. Alles so, oder so ähnlich möglicherweise nachzulesen im genialen Hitzeschutzplan á la Lauterbach.

Besonders Deutschland braucht nicht nur lauterbachsche Hitzeschutzräume, nein es braucht atomsichere Hitzeschutzbunker, so schlägt man gleich zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe.

Für die, die es sich leisten können, hier ein Vorschlag. Der K2000:

https://www.swr.de/swr1/rp/programm/loriot-mini-luftschutzbunker-zum-preis-einer-waschmaschine-100.html

Für die weniger gut Betuchten reicht auch ein kühles Kellerloch, das man idealerweise im Februar beziehen und nicht vor November wieder verlassen sollte, so die Empfehlung auch von führenden Klima-Forschern, die es ja wissen müssen. Von Dezember bis Januar empfiehlt sich ein Besuch auf den Bahamas, besonders dann, wenn man eine leichte Erkältung verspürt.

Nur Verschwörungstheoretiker behaupten, dass die eigenartigen Anschlussverwendungen der Extrem-Kapazitäten, zu denen Lauterbach ohne Zweifel dazugehört, wie dicke rote Pfeile wirken, die auf Institutionen und Organisationen zeigen, um die man unter allen Umständen einen großen Bogen machen sollte, weil sie möglicherweise nichts Gutes im Schilde führen. Minimal sollen sie angeblich Unsinn verbreiten, maximal sollen sie gehörigen Schaden anrichten.

Man muss sich nur ein paar Gedanken machen, schon kann man feststellen, wie alles mit allem zusammenhängt.

“Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben.”

* *

(Bild von pixabay)

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

Bitcoin Core developers are planning changes to OP_RETURN data limits in version 30.

A group of Bitcoin Core developers has set October for the implementation of changes to the management of OP_RETURN outputs — a field that allows small amounts of arbitrary data to be inserted into Bitcoin transactions.

Currently, Bitcoin Core’s default mempool limits these outputs to 83 bytes. The upcoming modification will increase this limit to nearly 4MB per output. Some developers, including Antoine Poinsot and Peter Todd, argue for the need for greater flexibility in how the blockchain can be used.

The conservative stance

Resistance to these changes is being led by figures such as Luke Dashjr and BitcoinMechanic, who consider the expansion of the OP_RETURN limit a betrayal of Bitcoin’s fundamental principles. In their view, node operators should reject the storage of data unrelated to Bitcoin’s financial use case.

Conservatives argue that Bitcoin should not become a cloud storage service or a database for arbitrary data. The Bitcoin ledger, they maintain, should serve a narrow purpose: exclusively validating BTC movements for monetary use cases.

Version 30 release scheduled

The announcement of the October release date came via a post from Bitcoin Core developer Gloria Zhao, who confirmed the planned rollout for version 30.

While the default value will increase from 83 bytes to nearly 4MB, node operators will still be able to manually adjust the -datacarrier and -datacarriersize parameters. However, it’s widely acknowledged that most users stick with the default configuration.

Technical and philosophical implications

The controversy extends beyond purely technical matters, touching on fundamental questions about Bitcoin’s identity and future. Progressives see this evolution as necessary to keep Bitcoin competitive and versatile.

Conservatives, on the other hand, fear that allowing the storage of large amounts of arbitrary data could compromise network efficiency, increase node operation costs, and steer Bitcoin away from its original mission as a decentralized digital currency.

Community reactions

The debate has sparked tensions within the community. The technical editor of Bitcoin Magazine described conservatives as groups of people “clueless, and in some cases outright malicious and manipulative people on social media.”

On the other side, BitcoinMechanic called the progressives’ proposed changes completely “incoherent” with Bitcoin’s nature and objectives.

Jimmy Song also criticized the decision in a post on X, stating:

OP_RETURN outputs greater than 83 bytes will increase significantly, UTXO bloat will keep getting worse and there will be more garbage on chain.

This is going to age like a bad tattoo. pic.twitter.com/hUTpg8a5NM

— Jimmy Song (송재준) (@jimmysong) June 9, 2025

The post Bitcoin Core: OP_RETURN limit removal scheduled for October appeared first on Atlas21.

@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d

Wall Street is warming up to Bitcoin and getting closer and closer to it.

Cantor Fitzgerald, one of the oldest and most respected investment banks on Wall Street, has launched a $2 billion bitcoin-backed lending program.

They’ve reportedly already done their first deals, lending to two big digital asset companies: FalconX and Maple Finance.

This is a big step in connecting traditional finance to the fast-moving world of Bitcoin.

Cantor’s new service allows big investors, hedge funds and asset managers, to borrow money using bitcoin as collateral.

This is a game changer for institutions that hold bitcoin, as they can now access liquidity without having to sell their assets.

“Institutions holding bitcoin are looking to broaden their access to diverse funding sources,” said Christian Wall, co-CEO and global head of fixed income at Cantor Fitzgerald.

“And we are excited to support their liquidity needs to help them drive long term growth and success.”

The loans are not speculative or unsecured.

They are structured like traditional finance deals, backed by the borrower’s bitcoin. This reduces the risk for Cantor while giving bitcoin-holding companies new ways to grow and operate.

The first recipients of Cantor’s lending program are FalconX, a digital asset brokerage, and Maple Finance, a blockchain-based lending platform.

FalconX confirmed they secured a credit facility of over $100 million. Maple Finance also received the first tranche of their loan from Cantor.

This comes at a time when the bitcoin lending space is recovering after a tough period. Several big firms went under in 2022 and investor confidence was shaken.

Now with traditional finance on board, bitcoin-backed lending has returned. According to Galaxy Research the total size of the digital asset lending market grew to $36.5 billion in Q4 2024.

Cantor’s move into bitcoin-backed lending isn’t new. They announced their plans in July 2024 and have been building their presence in the Bitcoin space since then.

Earlier this year, they partnered with Tether, SoftBank and Bitfinex to launch Twenty One Capital, a $3.6 billion fund to buy over 42,000 bitcoin.

In May 2025 Cantor Equity Partners merged with Twenty One Capital and bought nearly $459 million worth of bitcoin.

They also own around $1.9 billion in shares of Strategy, a company that holds a lot of bitcoin. Clearly Cantor believes in bitcoin as a long-term asset.

Cantor is also a big player in the stablecoin space.

They manage U.S. Treasury reserves for Tether, the company behind the $142 billion USDT stablecoin. This adds another layer of trust and credibility to Cantor’s digital asset involvement.

To secure the bitcoin used as collateral, Cantor has partnered with digital asset custodians Anchorage Digital and Copper.co.

These companies are known for their robust security and institutional-grade infrastructure. Cantor hasn’t disclosed loan terms or interest rates but confirmed the lending will follow current regulations.

This also shows how traditional financial players are embracing DeFi.

Maple Finance for example allows undercollateralized lending using blockchain. By backing companies like Maple, Cantor is innovating while still having control and compliance.

For years, bitcoin-backed loans were only available through digital-asset-native companies like Genesis, BlockFi, and Ledn.

These loans were mostly for smaller clients and retail investors. But with Cantor’s entry, the scale and professionalism of bitcoin lending are expanding.

@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d

Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the company behind Truth Social and other Trump-branded digital platforms, is planning to raise $2.5 billion to build one of the largest bitcoin treasuries among public companies.

The deal involves the sale of approximately $1.5 billion in common stock and $1.0 billion in convertible senior secured notes.

According to the company, the offering is expected to close by the end of May, pending standard closing conditions.

Devin Nunes, CEO of Trump Media, said the investment in bitcoin is a big part of the company’s long-term plan.

“We view Bitcoin as an apex instrument of financial freedom,” Nunes said.

“This investment will help defend our Company against harassment and discrimination by financial institutions, which plague many Americans and U.S. firms.”

He added that the bitcoin treasury will be used to create new synergies across the company’s platforms including Truth Social, Truth+, and the upcoming financial tech brand Truth.Fi.

“It’s a big step forward in the company’s plans to evolve into a holding company by acquiring additional profit-generating, crown jewel assets consistent with America First principles,” Nunes said.

The $2.5 billion raise will come from about 50 institutional investors. The $1 billion in convertible notes will have 0% interest and be convertible into shares at a 35% premium.

TMTG’s current liquid assets, including cash and short-term investments, are $759 million as of the end of the first quarter of 2025. With this new funding, the company’s liquid assets will be over $3 billion.

Custody of the bitcoin treasury will be handled by Crypto.com and Anchorage Digital. They will manage and store the digital assets.

Earlier this week The Financial Times reported Trump Media was planning to raise $3 billion for digital assets acquisitions.

The article said the funds would be used to buy bitcoin and other digital assets, and an announcement could come before a major related event in Las Vegas.

Related: Bitcoin 2025 Conference Kicks off in Las Vegas Today

Trump Media denied the FT report. In a statement, the company said, “Apparently the Financial Times has dumb writers listening to even dumber sources.”

There was no further comment. However, the official $2.5 billion figure, which was announced shortly after by Trump Media through a press release, aligns with its actual filing and investor communication.

Trump Media’s official announcement

This comes at a time when the Trump family and political allies are showing renewed interest in Bitcoin.

President Donald Trump who is now back in office since the 2025 election, has said he wants to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the world.”

Trump Media is also working on retail bitcoin investment products including ETFs aligned with America First policies.

These products will make bitcoin more accessible to retail investors and support pro-Trump financial initiatives.

But not everyone is happy.

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren recently expressed concerns about Trump Media’s Bitcoin plans. She asked U.S. regulators to clarify their oversight of digital-asset ETFs, warning of investor risk.

Industry insiders are comparing Trump Media’s plans to Strategy (MSTR) which has built a multi-billion dollar bitcoin treasury over the last year. They used stock and bond sales to fund their bitcoin purchases.

@ b1ddb4d7:471244e7

“Not your keys, not your coins” isn’t a slogan—it’s a survival mantra in the age of digital sovereignty.

The seismic collapses of Mt. Gox (2014) and FTX (2022) weren’t anomalies; they were wake-up calls. When $8.7 billion in customer funds vanished with FTX, it exposed the fatal flaw of third-party custody: your bitcoin is only as secure as your custodian’s weakest link.

Yet today, As of early 2025, analysts estimate that between 2.3 million and 3.7 million Bitcoins are permanently lost, representing approximately 11–18% of bitcoin’s fixed maximum supply of 21 million coins, with some reports suggesting losses as high as 4 million BTC. This paradox reveals a critical truth: self-custody isn’t just preferable—it’s essential—but it must be done right.

The Custody Spectrum

Custodial Wallets (The Illusion of Control)

• Rehypothecation Risk: Most platforms lend your bitcoin for yield generation. When Celsius collapsed, users discovered their “held” bitcoin was loaned out in risky strategies.
• Account Freezes: Regulatory actions can lock withdrawals overnight. In 2023, Binance suspended dollar withdrawals for U.S. users citing “partner bank issues,” trapping funds for weeks.
• Data Vulnerability: KYC requirements create honeypots for hackers. The 2024 Ledger breach exposed 270,000 users’ personal data despite hardware security.

True Self-Custody
Self-custody means exclusively controlling your private keys—the cryptographic strings that prove bitcoin ownership. Unlike banks or exchanges, self-custody eliminates:

• Counterparty risk (no FTX-style implosions)
• Censorship (no blocked transactions)
• Inflationary theft (no fractional reserve lending)

Conquering the Three Great Fears of Self-Custody

Fear 1: “I’ll Lose Everything If I Make a Mistake”

Reality: Human error is manageable with robust systems:

• Test Transactions: Always send a micro-amount (0.00001 BTC) before large transfers. Verify receipt AND ability to send back.
• Multi-Backup Protocol: Store seed phrases on fireproof/waterproof steel plates (not paper!). Distribute copies geographically—one in a home safe, another with trusted family 100+ miles away.
• SLIP39 Sharding: Split your seed into fragments requiring 3-of-5 shards to reconstruct. No single point of failure.

Fear 2: “Hackers Will Steal My Keys”

Reality: Offline storage defeats remote attacks:

• Hardware Wallets: Devices like Bitkey or Ledger keep keys in “cold storage”—isolated from internet-connected devices. Transactions require physical confirmation.
• Multisig Vaults: Bitvault’s multi-sig system requires attackers compromise multiple locations/devices simultaneously. Even losing two keys won’t forfeit funds.
• Air-Gapped Verification: Use dedicated offline devices for wallet setup. Never type seeds on internet-connected machines.

Fear 3: “My Family Can’t Access It If I Die”

Reality: Inheritance is solvable:

• Dead Man Switches: Bitwarden’s emergency access allows trusted contacts to retrieve encrypted keys after a pre-set waiting period (e.g., 30 days).
• Inheritance Protocols: Bitkey’s inheritance solution shares decryption keys via designated beneficiaries’ emails. Requires multiple approvals to prevent abuse.
• Public Key Registries: Share wallet XPUBs (not private keys!) with heirs. They can monitor balances but not spend, ensuring transparency without risk.

The Freedom Dividend

1. Censorship Resistance: Send $10M BTC to a Wikileaks wallet without Visa/Mastercard blocking it.
2. Privacy Preservation: Avoid KYC surveillance—non-custodial wallets like Flash require zero ID verification.
3. Protocol Access: Participate in bitcoin-native innovations (Lightning Network, DLCs) only possible with self-custodied keys.
4. Black Swan Immunity: When Cyprus-style bank bailins happen, your bitcoin remains untouched in your vault.

The Sovereign’s Checklist

1. Withdraw from Exchanges: Move all BTC > $1,000 to self-custody immediately.
2. Buy Hardware Wallet: Purchase DIRECTLY from manufacturer (no Amazon!) to avoid supply-chain tampering.
3. Generate Seed OFFLINE: Use air-gapped device, write phrase on steel—never digitally.
4. Test Recovery: Delete wallet, restore from seed before funding.
5. Implement Multisig: For > $75k, use Bitvault for 2-of-3 multi-sig setup.
6. Create Inheritance Plan: Share XPUBs/SLIP39 shards with heirs + legal documents.

“Self-custody isn’t about avoiding risk—it’s about transferring risk from opaque institutions to transparent, controllable systems you design.”

The Inevitable Evolution: Custody Without Compromise

Emerging solutions are erasing old tradeoffs:

• MPC Wallets: Services like Xapo Bank shatter keys into encrypted fragments distributed globally. No single device holds full keys, defeating physical theft.
• Social Recovery: Ethically designed networks (e.g., Bitkey) let trusted contacts restore access without custodial control.
• Biometric Assurance: Fingerprint reset protocols prevent lockouts from physical injuries.

Lost keys = lost bitcoin. But consider the alternative: entrusting your life savings to entities with proven 8% annual failure rates among exchanges. Self-custody shifts responsibility from hoping institutions won’t fail to knowing your system can’t fail without your consent.

Take action today: Move one coin. Test one recovery. Share one xpub. The path to unchained wealth begins with a single satoshi under your control.

@ 3c389c8f:7a2eff7f

Most of my time on Nostr, relays served content simply based on what was requested. Clients mostly requested follow list based content, and often only if the user requested to 'read' from a particular relay. Very simple, though not ideal. Clients that attempted to offer some 'global' or 'universal' feed made it possible to discover some new things but also served spam, redundant bot posts, and even some malicious things that managed to make it through a relay's filters. Paid relays began to gain some ground, with better filters to reduce spam and malicious content, which has helped a lot to clean up these broader feeds that expand beyond the follow-based timeline. Many of the relays hosted redundant content, too, which is important but it's not the only thing that is. The system still left a lot to be desired, particularly for anyone who has understood the potential behind the client-relay set up. Other concerns, like relay centralization through user concentration, still needed to be discussed and addressed.

Despite the voicing of relay diversity advocates, this system seemed to provide most of what people were looking for to replace their typical social media experience. Still, though, reply spam attacks found their way through, as they do. Web-of-Trust relays began to pop up to help mitigate the problem. Using contact lists and extended contact lists as a method of reducing the prevalence of spam has worked really well, but does have it limitations as to how new users can enter into these social graphs, without already knowing someone who is using Nostr. Also not ideal, but it has been a step forward for Nostr's social media use case. Hosted relay services that offered more diverse policy for a relay to operate under finally began to take some hold for those that wanted more choice and control. Still though, potential had barely been breeched.

It might have been before the WoT relay movement, but of nowhere (not really but it kind of seemed like it), a cat relay appeared within the ecosystem. This silly, fun, cute, clever relay collected notes with the #catstr hashtag and used some fancy image analysis stuff (that I can't explain) to collect notes and images of nothing but cats. Such a simple thing, but that was a catalyst (🥁) moment for Nostr. A relay could do more than just collect notes from following lists?? A couple more iterations of the curated content relay model came to be, driving home the idea that this wasn't some silly pie-in-the-sky concept. It was an aha moment for some, sheer joy for the relay advocates, and a turning point for expanding Nostr beyond the basic social media replacement. Very few client options for simply browsing one relay existed at the time, and while it was novel to see, the rest of the framework to support it was not strong nor very easy to use. Even with this dilemma, the catstr relay set off what has become some of the most interesting and useful innovation that has happened within the Nostr ecosystem since I arrived.

Since then, I have spent a lot of my time on Nostr exploring some of what has been developed on the relay front, experimenting where I have found the opportunity and thinking a lot about where this all could lead. Innovation on both the relay and client sides of Nostr have been expanding, not quite in lockstep, but closely enough that someone like myself can now easily jump onto a client like Jumble.social and get a glimpse into what is happening and get an idea of the potential of what is yet to come. For those working in the relay field, I am sure this feels like one slow moving train. For a client developer, it probably feels a little overwhelming to shift an entire model away from what has worked for something that will work better. As a less-than-technical user who is mostly disconnected from any major development, it's exciting. Relay diversity brings actual utility to Nostr. It also brings the assurances that Nostr offers, which whether we have been subjugated to these problems before or not, it is the main reason why Nostr exists and why we are here using it now.

For most anyone reading this, it probably sounds like some weird, unnecessary history lesson. This is actually one long introduction into a little mini-series of relay recaps though.... I was wondering what I would write about next, and this is it. I may just be a user but I'm an adventurous one and I pay attention, so I'm excited to share some of my thoughts, experiences, and observations over the coming weeks... because exciting isn't a strong enough word for the what I see as possible. :)

@ cae03c48:2a7d6671

Bitcoin Magazine

President Trump’s Truth Social Files S-1 Form For Bitcoin ETF

Today, Trump Media and Technology Group Corp. (Nasdaq, NYSE Texas: DJT) filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a Form S-1 for their upcoming Truth Social Bitcoin ETF.

The ETF, which will hold bitcoin directly, is designed to track the bitcoin’s price performance. 

“Truth Social Bitcoin ETF, B.T. is a Nevada business trust that issues beneficial interests in its net assets,” stated the Form S-1. “The assets of the Trust consist primarily of bitcoin held by a custodian on behalf of the Trust. The Trust seeks to reflect generally the performance of the price of bitcoin.”

The ETF is sponsored by Yorkville America Digital, LLC and will trade under NYSE Arca. The Trust’s assets primarily consist of bitcoin held by Foris DAX Trust Company, LLC, the designated bitcoin custodian. Crypto.com will act as the ETF’s prime execution agent and liquidity provider.

“Shares will be offered to the public from time to time at varying prices that will reflect the price of bitcoin and the trading price of the Shares on New York Stock Exchange Arca, Inc. at the time of the offer,” mentioned the Form S-1.

While the ETF offers investors a regulated avenue for bitcoin exposure, the Trust warned of several risks related to digital assets:

• Loss, theft, or compromise of private keys could result in permanent loss of bitcoin.
• Bitcoin’s reliance on blockchain and Internet technologies makes it vulnerable to disruptions and cyber threats.
• Environmental and regulatory pressures tied to high electricity use in bitcoin mining could impact market stability.
• Potential forks or protocol failures in the Bitcoin Network may lead to volatility and uncertainty in asset value.

Last week, during an interview at the 2025 Bitcoin Conference, Donald Trump Jr. announced that TMTG and Truth Social were forming a Bitcoin treasury with $2.5 billion. “We’re seriously on crypto—we’re seriously on Bitcoin,” said Trump Jr. “We’re in three major deals. I believe we’re at the beginning of what will be the future of finance. And the opportunity is massive.”

The day after that interview, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., joined by American Bitcoin Executive Chairman and Board Member Mike Ho, CEO Matt Prusak, and Altcoin Daily founder Aaron Arnold, discussed the future of Bitcoin.

“The whole system is broken and now all of the sudden you have crypto which solves all the problems,” commented Eric Trump. “It makes everything cheaper, it makes everything faster, it makes it safer, it makes it more transparent. It makes the whole system more functional.“

“Everybody wants Bitcoin. Everybody is buying Bitcoin,” Eric added.

This post President Trump’s Truth Social Files S-1 Form For Bitcoin ETF first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Oscar Zarraga Perez.

@ 472f440f:5669301e

Marty's Bent

via me

I had a completely different newsletter partially written earlier tonight about whether or not "this cycle is different" when this nagging thought entered my head. So I'm going to write about this and maybe I'll write about the dynamics of this cycle compared to past cycles tomorrow.

A couple of headlines shot across my desk earlier tonight in relation to the potential escalation of kinetic warfare in the Middle East. Apparently the U.S. Embassy in Iraq was sent a warning and evacuation procedures were initiated. Not too long after, the world was made aware that the United States and Israel are contemplating an attack on Iran due to the "fact" that Iran may be close to producing nuclear weapins. The initial monkey brain reaction that I had to these two headlines was, "Oh shit, here we go again. We're going to do something stupid." My second reaction was, "Oh shit, here we go again, I've seen these two exact headlines many times over the years and they've proven to be lackluster if you're a doomer or blood thirsty war monger." Nothing ever happens.

As I venture into my mid-30s and reflect on a life filled with these types of headlines and my personal reactions to these headlines, I'm finally becoming attuned to the fact that the monkey brain reactions aren't very productive at the end of the day. Who knows exactly what's going to happen in Iraq or Iran and whether or not kinetic warfare escalates and materializes from here? Even though I'm a "blue-blooded taxpaying American citizen" who is passively and unwillingly contributing to the war machine and the media industrial complex, there's really nothing I can do about it.

The only thing I can do is focus on what is in front of me. What I have control of. And attempt to leverage what I have control of to make my life and the life of my family as good as humanly possible. Ignoring the external and turning inward often produces incredible results. Instead of worrying about what the media wants you to believe at any given point in time, you simply look away from your computer screen, survey the physical space which you're operating in and determine what you have, what you need and how you can get what you need. This is a much more productive way to spend your time.

This is what I want to touch on right now. There's never been a better time in human history to be productive despite what the algorithm on X or the mainstream media will lead you to believe. Things aren't as great as they could be, but they're also not as bad as you're being led to believe. We live in the Digital Age and the Digital Age provides incredible resources that you can leverage to make YOUR life better.

Social media allows you to create a platform without spending any money. AI allows you to build tools that are beneficial to yourself and others with very little money. And bitcoin exists to provide you with the best form of money that you can save in with the knowledge that your relative ownership of the overall supply isn't going to change. No matter what happens in the external world.

If you can combine these three things to make your life better and - by extension - potentially make the lives of many others better, you're going to be well off in the long run. Combining these three things isn't going to result in immediate gratification, but if you put forth a concerted effort, spend the time, have some semblance of patience, and stick with it, I truly believe that you will benefit massively in the long run. Without trying to sound like a blowhard, I truly believe that this is why I feel relatively calm (despite my monkey brain reactions to the headlines of the day) at this current point in time.

We've entered the era of insane leaps in productivity and digital hard money that cannot be corrupted. The biggest mistake you can make in your life right now is overlooking the confluence of these two things. With an internet connection, an idea, some savvy, and hard work you can materially change your life. Create something that levels up your knowledge, that enables you to get a good job in the real world, or to create a company of your own. Bring your talents to the market, exchange them for money, and then funnel that money into bitcoin (if you're not being paid in it already). We may be at the beginning of a transition from the high velocity trash economy to the high leverage agency economy run on sound money and applied creativity.

These concepts are what you should be focusing most of your time and attention to today and in the years ahead. Don't get distracted by the algorithm, the 30-second video clips, the headlines filled with doom, and the topics of the 24 hour news cycle. I'll admit, I often succumb to them myself. But, as I get older and develop a form of pattern recognition that can only be attained by being on this planet for a certain period of time, it is becoming very clear that those things are not worth your attention.

Living by the heuristic that "nothing ever happens" is a pretty safe bet. Funnily enough, it's incredibly ironic that you're led to believe that something is happening every single day, and yet nothing ever happens. By getting believing that something happens every day you are taking your attention away from doing things that happen to make your life better.

Tune out the noise. Put on the blinders. Take advantage of the incredible opportunities that lie before you. If enough of you - and many others who do not read this newsletter - do this, I truly believe we'll wake up to find that the world we live in is a much better place.

Nothing ever happens, so make something happen.

Intelligence Officials Are Quietly Becoming Bitcoin Believers

Ken Egan, former CIA Deputy Chief of Cyber Operations, revealed a surprising truth on TFTC: the intelligence community harbors numerous Bitcoin advocates. Egan explained that intelligence professionals uniquely understand how governments weaponize financial systems through sanctions and account freezing. Having wielded these tools themselves, they recognize the need for personal financial sovereignty. He shared compelling anecdotes of discovering colleagues with "We are all Satoshi" stickers and a European chief of station paying for dinner with a BlockFi card to earn Bitcoin rewards.

"I think there are a lot of Bitcoiners, not just at CIA, but across the whole national security establishment... they're in it for the exact same reasons everybody else is." - Ken Egan

The Canadian trucker protests served as a pivotal moment, Egan noted. Watching Western governments freeze citizens' bank accounts for political dissent struck a nerve among intelligence professionals who previously viewed financial weaponization as a tool reserved for foreign adversaries. This awakening has created unlikely allies within institutions many Bitcoiners distrust.

Check out the full podcast here for more on Bitcoin's national security implications, privacy tech prosecutions, and legislative priorities.

---

Headlines of the Day

Stripe Buys Crypto Wallet Privy After Bridge Deal - via X

Trump Calls CPI Data "Great" Urges Full Point Fed Cut - via X

Bitcoin Hashrate Reaches New All-Time High - via X

Get our new STACK SATS hat - via tftcmerch.io

---

Bitcoin’s Next Parabolic Move: Could Liquidity Lead the Way?

Is bitcoin’s next parabolic move starting? Global liquidity and business cycle indicators suggest it may be.

Read the latest report from Unchained and TechDev, analyzing how global M2 liquidity and the copper/gold ratio—two historically reliable macro indicators—are aligning once again to signal that a new bitcoin bull market may soon begin.

Download the report here

---

Ten31, the largest bitcoin-focused investor, has deployed $150.00M 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.

---

Final thought...

Life is good.

---

Download our free browser extension, Opportunity Cost: https://www.opportunitycost.app/ start thinking in SATS today.

Get this newsletter sent to your inbox daily: https://www.tftc.io/bitcoin-brief/

Subscribe to our YouTube channels and follow us on Nostr and X:

@ f683e870:557f5ef2

This is what has been achieved on a per-project basis since receiving the grant from Opensats.

npub.world

Together with nostr:npub1wf4pufsucer5va8g9p0rj5dnhvfeh6d8w0g6eayaep5dhps6rsgs43dgh9, I have been refining npub.world to deliver real-time, WoT-powered profile search. These refinements include:

• implementing new desings by nostr:npub1t3gd5yefglarhar4n6uh34uymvft4tgu8edk5465zzhtv4rrnd9sg7upxq

• moving to the new Vertex DVM standard

• improved URL and npub parsing

Vertex crawler

Due to the architectural mistakes I made when designing the first version, I have embarked on a full rewrite of the crawler. The new architecture is simpler, more modular and more performant, and I am confident that it will provide a stable foundation on which to expand the Vertex offering with additional functionalities and analytics.

The major differences with the old version are:

• the DB and RWS interfaces have been broken up and simplified into smaller ones, each defined by their own packages

• a simplified, more efficient algorithm for updating random walks

• use of a custom-built cache to speed up graph computations

• a worker pool pattern to speed up event archiving

These changes have reduced the LOC by more than half while improving performance by \~10x. Of independent interest is the new pipe package, which can also be used by other projects to crawl the Nostr network.

Vertex Relay and DVMs

The Vertex relay has been updated several times, and now supports four DVM services:

• Verify Reputation

• Recommend Follows

• Rank Profiles

• Search Profile

For each service, customers can choose the algorithm to use by specifing the sort option to use between:

• followerCount

• globalPagerank

• personalizedPagerank

More information can be found at https://vertexlab.io/.

Overall, the relay has processed more than 100,000 DVM requests, with the current daily rate standing at around 1,500.

rely

Unsatisfied with the khatru relay framework, I've decided to build my own called rely, with the goal of being simpler and more stable. I've not just scratched a personal hitch: I've used khatru for several months now (the Vertex relay is still using it) and I encountered several issues, some of which I've solved with PRs to the underlying go-nostr library.

The main differences between khatru and rely:

• rely is much simpler, both architecturally and in terms of LOC (less than half)

• rely has a solid testing approach, where a random yet reproducible high traffic hits the relay to see what breaks

• rely implements a worker pool pattern where a configurable number of goroutines process the incoming requests from clients. On the other hand, khatru process them in the HandleWebsocket goroutine, which is spawned every time a client connects. This is dangerous in my opinion because if too many clients connect, memory usage would spike and the relay could potentially crash.

New DVM spec

I helped to draft this new proposal to update the DVM spec, which is one of the most controversial NIPs. While almost everyone agrees that it needs to change, there is no consensus on how to move forward. I believe our proposal is a sensible approach that defines discovery, usage, and error patterns while leaving flexibility for specific DVM kinds.

Looking at the future

Next I am going to move the Vertex relay to the rely framework and to the new crawler package. I expect that this will increase the performance and will make things more solid and more simple. After all of this refactoring and simplification, it will be time to finally add features to the Vertex offering. I have an ambitious roadmap consisting of:

• accepting ecash for DVM requests

• designing client-side validation schemes for the DVM responses

• expanding the pagerank algorithm to make use of mutes and reports

• adding an WoT impersonator check to npub.world

• adding a nip05 check to npub.world

• make a relystore package with some plug&play databases for rely.

@ fa5ea00f:1075fbfe

“Don’t trust, verify”

하루에도 몇번씩 이 문장은 나를 괴롭힌다.

코드를 뜯어보는 데서 출발해, 현대 사회를 주도하는 문화의 의미를 해체하고 살펴보는 것으로 확장할 수 있다고 생각한다. 이것이 이 아티클의 기본 전제다. 비트코이너들은 포스트모더니즘처럼 무작정 해체(deconstruct)하는 것이 아니라, 합리적 회의주의로 접근한다. 그것은 crypto-anarchism과 libertarian futurism의 기반이 됐고, 이제는 비트코인의 핵심 정신으로 자리 잡고 있다. 나도 조금씩 공부하고 있지만, 왜 anarcho-capitalism이 비트코이너들에게 매력적인지 쉽게 알 수 있다. 비트코인은 돈과 정치를 재정의하고 있으며, 가치를 창출하는 개인의 정체성과 행동마저도 다시 정의하고 있기에, 국가의 해체까지 이어지는 것은 어찌 보면 필연적으로 보인다.

그런데 나는 아직도 이해가 안되는 부분이 있다. 바로 종교와 비트코인의 관계다. 평화, 사랑, 정의, 희망 같은 종교의 사상과 비트코인을 연결하려는 시도는 빈번하다. 그만큼 이 기술은 인간에게 단순한 도구를 넘어선 철학적, 존재론적 충격으로 다가온다. 그러나 내가 정말 이해하지 못하는 부분은 스스로를 “don’t trust, verify”의 철학에 따라 사는 사람이라 자부하면서도, 종교만큼은 끝내 검증해보려 하지 않는 태도다. 종교는 믿음의 영역이라지만 검증하려는 시도조차 하지 않는 태도는 비트코이너의 정신과 상당한 괴리가 있다고 생각한다.

나는 종교를 해체해 보고도 똑같은 믿음을 유지하는 사람을 본 적이 없다. 복음주의 개신교에 깊이 몸담았던 입장에서 보면, 예컨대 모세오경과 복음서가 실제 사건들을 단순히 기록한 것이 아니라 여러 저자들과 편집자들의 해석과 목적이 얽힌 서사적 구성물이라는 사실조차 받아들이기 어려워한다. 실제 역사와 문학적으로 파고들어야 할 부분인데 대부분은 자신이 배운 교리를 전제로 성경을 해석하려고 한다. 가장 성스럽게 여기는 성서가 왜 '하나님의 말씀'인지 물으면 “성서에 그렇게 쓰여 있다”거나 “믿음의 영역이다”라고만 답한다. 그 구절이 현대의 성경책을 지칭하는 것도 아닌데 말이다.

이런 식으로 파도 파도 끝없는 의문점들을 맹목적 믿음으로 덮어버리려는 것이 현대 복음주의 개신교다. 아직도 그런 사고방식을 지닌 비트코이너가 있다면, 종교—특히 제도화된 종교—에 대해서 불신의 씨앗을 품어 봤으면 좋겠다. 타락에서 구속과 영생으로 이어지는 서사를 통해 성경을 읽는다면 너무 많은걸 놓치게 된다는걸 깨달을 수 있다.

결코 쉬운 길이 아니다. 나 역시 태어나기 전부터 교회를 다녔을 만큼, 기독교는 내 존재의 근원이자 정체성의 전부였다. 종교를 해체하는건 나 자신을 해체하는 일이었다. “감히 신을 해체해? 저런 인간주의적인 죄를 품은 사상을 봤나!” 이런 시선들이 제도 내부에서는 해체를 현실적으로, 도덕적으로 불가능하게 만든다. 그것은 나의 공동체—많은 경우 가족까지—에게서 낙인찍히고 소외되는 일을 의미한다. 국가주의와 비교해 보자면, 종교를 떠나는 것은 마치 애국보수 집안에서 “나는 중국 공산당을 지지한다”고 말하는 것보다 더 어렵다고 생각한다. 적어도 애국보수 집안은 당신이 공산당을 지지한다고 해서 죽은 뒤 영원히 지옥에 고통받을 거라 믿지는 않는다. 사회적 자살을 쉽게 생각하는 사람은 없다.

나는 비트코인을 알기 전에 이미 종교를 떠났고, 가족과도 멀어졌다. 연락을 끊거나 만나지 않는 건 아니지만, 정서적으로 예전과 같은 관계가 아니다. 목사님인 아버지는 나에게 호통을 치며 크게 싸웠고, 어머니는 믿기지 않다는 듯 실망을 감추지 않으셨다. 10년도 지난 일이지만 내 인생에서 가장 고통스러운 전환점이었다. 나이도 어렸고 나도 내가 무슨 일을 겪고 있었는지 몰랐기 때문에 더더욱 힘들었다.

모두가 나와 같은 길을 걸어야 하는건 아니다. 기독교의 거대 서사가 정서의 깊은 곳에 뿌리 박힌 이상, 신을 부정하는 일은 거의 불가능에 가깝다는걸 몸소 체감했기 때문이다. 자유는 기독교에서도 중요한 의미를 가진다—율법에서의 자유, 죄에서의 자유, 결국 하나님 안에서의 자유. 모순처럼 보일 수도 있겠지만, 합리적 회의주의인 나는 역설적으로 여전히 신이라는 존재를 믿는다. 다만, 신은 특정 종교에 국한되어 있지 않으며 우리의 지성으로는 결코 완전히 이해할 수 없는 존재라고 믿는다. 그렇기에 기독교의 하나님 안에서의 자유보다, 더 큰 의미에서의 ‘신 안에서의 자유’ 혹은 '자유 안에서의 자유'가 존재한다고 믿는다.

인간의 자유와 사랑에 대한 이해를 아득히 초월하는 존재, 그 앞에 겸손해질 때 나는 자유를 조금이나마 맛볼 수 있었다. 이 패러독스 속에서 나는 매일 자유를 느끼고 있다. 국가주의와 종교는 누군가가 믿으라고 외치고 교리를 정립해야 유지되지만, 자유와 사랑은 인간의 원초적인 갈망이다. ‘무엇으로부터의 자유’가 아니라 자유 그 자체에의 의지다. 장폴 사르트르의 말처럼 "자유라는 유죄 선고를 받은 존재", 그것이 우리 인간이다. 비트코인은 자유의 한 조각의 불과하고 진짜 자유는 우리 머릿속에서 시작된다. 이 내면의 자유를 널리 일깨우는 것, 그것이야말로 비트코이너들의 숙명이지 않을까?

나는 비트코이너들이 자신의 자유를 더 이상 인간이 만든 사상 체제나 제도에 위탁(custody)하지 않길 바란다. 그러나 동시에, 종교를 떠나는 일이 얼마나 고통스러운지도 알기에 내가 그들에게 뭐라고 말할 입장은 아니라는 것도 안다. 그래서 내가 현실적으로 할 수 있는 말은 오직 하나뿐이다:

"Don’t just trust, keep on verifying."

@ 97c70a44:ad98e322

Vibe coding is taking the nostr developer community by storm. While it's all very exciting and interesting, I think it's important to pump the brakes a little - not in order to stop the vehicle, but to try to keep us from flying off the road as we approach this curve.

In this note Pablo is subtweeting something I said to him recently (although I'm sure he's heard it from other quarters as well):

nostr:nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzp75cf0tahv5z7plpdeaws7ex52nmnwgtwfr2g3m37r844evqrr6jqy2hwumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnyv9kh2uewd9hj7qghwaehxw309aex2mrp0yh8qunfd4skctnwv46z7qg6waehxw309ac8junpd45kgtnxd9shg6npvchxxmmd9uqzq0z48d4ttzzkupswnkyt5a2xfkhxl3hyavnxjujwn5k2k529aearwtecp4

There is a naive, curmudgeonly case for simply "not doing AI". I think the intuition is a good one, but the subject is obviously more complicated - not doing it, either on an individual or a collective level, is just not an option. I recently read Tools for Conviviality by Ivan Illich, which I think can help us here. For Illich, the best kind of tool is one which serves "politically interrelated individuals rather than managers".

This is obviously a core value for bitcoiners. And I think the talks given at the Oslo Freedom Forum this year present a compelling case for adoption of LLMs for the purposes of 1. using them for good, and 2. developing them further so that they don't get captured by corporations and governments. Illich calls both the telephone and print "almost ideally convivial". I would add the internet, cryptography, and LLMs to this list, because each one allows individuals to work cooperatively within communities to embody their values in their work.

But this is only half the story. Illich also points out how "the manipulative nature of institutions... have put these ideally convivial tools at the service of more [managerial dominance]."

Preventing the subversion and capture of our tools is not just a matter of who uses what, and for which ends. It also requires an awareness of the environment that the use of the tool (whether for virtuous or vicious ends) creates, which in turn forms the abilities, values, and desires of those who inhabit the environment.

The natural tendency of LLMs is to foster ignorance, dependence, and detachment from reality. This is not the fault of the tool itself, but that of humans' tendency to trade liberty for convenience. Nevertheless, the inherent values of a given tool naturally gives rise to an environment through use: the tool changes the world that the tool user lives in. This in turn indoctrinates the user into the internal logic of the tool, shaping their thinking, blinding them to the tool's influence, and neutering their ability to work in ways not endorsed by the structure of the tool-defined environment.

The result of this is that people are formed by their tools, becoming their slaves. We often talk about LLM misalignment, but the same is true of humans. Unreflective use of a tool creates people who are misaligned with their own interests. This is what I mean when I say that AI use is anti-human. I mean it in the same way that all unreflective tool use is anti-human. See Wendell Berry for an evaluation of industrial agriculture along the same lines.

What I'm not claiming is that a minority of high agency individuals can't use the technology for virtuous ends. In fact, I think that is an essential part of the solution. Tool use can be good. But tools that bring their users into dependence on complex industry and catechize their users into a particular system should be approached with extra caution. The plow was a convivial tool, and so were early tractors. Self-driving John Deere monstrosities are a straightforward extension of the earlier form of the technology, but are self-evidently an instrument of debt slavery, chemical dependency, industrial centralization, and degradation of the land. This over-extension of a given tool can occur regardless of the intentions of the user. As Illich says:

There is a form of malfunction in which growth does not yet tend toward the destruction of life, yet renders a tool antagonistic to its specific aims. Tools, in other words, have an optimal, a tolerable, and a negative range.

The initial form of a tool is almost always beneficial, because tools are made by humans for human ends. But as the scale of the tool grows, its logic gets more widely and forcibly applied. The solution to the anti-human tendencies of any technology is an understanding of scale. To prevent the overrun of the internal logic of a given tool and its creation of an environment hostile to human flourishing, we need to impose limits on scale.

Tools that require time periods or spaces or energies much beyond the order of corresponding natural scales are dysfunctional.

My problem with LLMs is:

• Not their imitation of human idioms, but their subversion of them and the resulting adoption of robotic idioms by humans
• Not the access they grant to information, but their ability to obscure accurate or relevant information
• Not their elimination of menial work, but its increase (Bullshit Jobs)
• Not their ability to take away jobs, but their ability to take away the meaning found in good work
• Not their ability to confer power to the user, but their ability to confer power to their owner which can be used to exploit the user
• Not their ability to solve problems mechanistically, but the extension of their mechanistic value system to human life
• Not their explicit promise of productivity, but the environment they implicitly create in which productivity depends on their use
• Not the conversations they are able to participate in, but the relationships they displace

All of these dysfunctions come from the over-application of the technology in evaluating and executing the fundamentally human task of living. AI work is the same kind of thing as an AI girlfriend, because work is not only for the creation of value (although that's an essential part of it), but also for the exercise of human agency in the world. In other words, tools must be tools, not masters. This is a problem of scale - when tool use is extended beyond its appropriate domain, it becomes what Illich calls a "radical monopoly" (the domination of a single paradigm over all of human life).

So the important question when dealing with any emergent technology becomes: how can we set limits such that the use of the technology is naturally confined to its appropriate scale?

Here are some considerations:

• Teach people how to use the technology well (e.g. cite sources when doing research, use context files instead of fighting the prompt, know when to ask questions rather than generate code)
• Create and use open source and self-hosted models and tools (MCP, stacks, tenex). Refuse to pay for closed or third-party hosted models and tools.
• Recognize the dependencies of the tool itself, for example GPU availability, and diversify the industrial sources to reduce fragility and dependence.
• Create models with built-in limits. The big companies have attempted this (resulting in Japanese Vikings), but the best-case effect is a top-down imposition of corporate values onto individuals. But the idea isn't inherently bad - a coding model that refuses to generate code in response to vague prompts, or which asks clarifying questions is an example. Or a home assistant that recognized childrens' voices and refuses to interact.
• Divert the productivity gains to human enrichment. Without mundane work to do, novice lawyers, coders, and accountants don't have an opportunity to hone their skills. But their learning could be subsidized by the bots in order to bring them up to a level that continues to be useful.
• Don't become a slave to the bots. Know when not to use it. Talk to real people. Write real code, poetry, novels, scripts. Do your own research. Learn by experience. Make your own stuff. Take a break from reviewing code to write some. Be independent, impossible to control. Don't underestimate the value to your soul of good work.
• Resist both monopoly and "radical monopoly". Both naturally collapse over time, but by cultivating an appreciation of the goodness of hand-crafted goods, non-synthetic entertainment, embodied relationship, and a balance between mobility and place, we can relegate new, threatening technologies to their correct role in society.

I think in all of this is implicit the idea of technological determinism, that productivity is power, and if you don't adapt you die. I reject this as an artifact of darwinism and materialism. The world is far more complex and full of grace than we think.

The idea that productivity creates wealth is, as we all know, bunk. GDP continues to go up, but ungrounded metrics don't reflect anything about the reality of human flourishing. We have to return to a qualitative understanding of life as whole, and contextualize quantitative tools and metrics within that framework.

Finally, don't believe the hype. Even if AI delivers everything it promises, conservatism in changing our ways of life will decelerate the rate of change society is subjected to and allow time for reflection and proper use of the tool. Curmudgeons are as valuable as technologists. There will be no jobspocalypse if there is sufficient political will to value human good over mere productivity. It's ok to pump the breaks.

@ 1964e236:30dc8bbf

"Do you know how many people can live on Earth at most? Fifteen billion, maybe twenty, if we organize everything really well. But do you know how many people could live across the entire solar system?"

He paused theatrically.

"A trillion. A billion times a thousand. A hundred times our current population."

His eyes gleamed as he looked at me.

"The solar system holds more than enough resources for that many people—and maybe even more. Just imagine such a world: it would have a thousand Mozarts, a thousand Einsteins, thousands of entrepreneurs with more talent than I’ll ever have."

“And thousands of Hitlers,” I thought to myself.

"Your death is the terrible price we must pay for progress," Grok continued. "Every day humanity fails to move forward is a day lost."

He looked me in the eye from thirty million kilometers away.

"In Death Valley, there’s a tiny fish, the desert pupfish. There are only about three hundred of them left, all living in a single small pool in the most inhospitable desert on Earth. That pool used to be much bigger, probably a small sea after the Ice Age, home to millions of pupfish. But today, all that’s left is a salty puddle, and that’s where the last of their kind are crammed together. To them, that pool is the entire world. They can’t even imagine that there’s something beyond it, that there might be an ocean out there with endless resources. Instead, they stay in their little world—and they’re dying out. A few might get lucky, caught by collectors and kept as ornamental fish in aquariums. But most of them will disappear once the pool dries up. Sure, the pool might survive a while longer. But it could also dry out in the next few months. Or, it could rain so much that the salt level drops and the fish can no longer survive."

He paused again.

"I get it," I whispered. "We’re the fish, and you’re pulling us out of the puddle."

"The fish probably think: we’ve got so little space, we need to save resources, control birth rates, that sort of thing. But in truth, there’s only one thing they need to do: find a new pool!"

"What if they don’t want to leave their home?" Maria would’ve asked him now.

"How many times have we stood on the brink of nuclear war in the last few decades?" Grok went on. "Right now, there's peace. But how long will it last?"

"How many nukes did Grok’s own conglomerate have?" I wondered.

"What each individual can do now," Grok said, "is give everything they’ve got in this life to help humanity reach the next level—so we can finally become multiplanetary. So that one single catastrophe won’t wipe out all of humankind. For you, this truth means—and I truly am sorry—that you have to sacrifice yourself for this mission."

I told him I agreed completely. Of course I did. I had no choice.

Then I listened to Feng’s playlist.

@ 6ad3e2a3:c90b7740

Turning and turning in the widening gyre

The falcon cannot hear the falconer;

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere

The ceremony of innocence is drowned;

The best lack all conviction, while the worst

Are full of passionate intensity.

Surely some revelation is at hand;

Surely the Second Coming is at hand.

The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out

When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi

Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert

A shape with lion body and the head of a man,

A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,

Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it

Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.

The darkness drops again; but now I know

That twenty centuries of stony sleep

Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,

And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,

Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

The Second Coming — W.B. Yeats

I don’t know what I want to write about today. There are a lot of converging currents coursing through my reality right now. I feel we’re in an interregnum of sorts between what was and what’s to come. I guess you could simply describe that as the present, something that has ever been the case. But this moment feels more intense like something big is dying and something else, God knows what, is on its way “to be born".

I exchanged emails recently with an old friend, and he sent me a link to a David Foster Wallace commencement speech entitled “This Is Water.” In it Wallace tells a joke of an old fish seeing two younger fish swimming by and asks them “How’s the water?” Later on one of the younger ones asks the other, “What is water?”

Wallace hanged himself a few years after the speech. Apparently he was unable to maintain the perspective he laid out in it which was that we can choose our attitude toward what we experience in any moment, no matter how much aversion we habitually associate with it. That the act of choosing equanimity constitutes the freedom we seek. That this freedom to choose is ever present, in fact the ability to direct our attention and consciousness is itself the water. And yet out of habit we are often oblivious to this most fundamental reality.

My friend’s email was in response to my description of the dissolution I see right now. Everything seems fake. The news, the governments, the edicts of reputationally bankrupt institutions zombying along as though the last five years never happened, like the proverbial emperor still purporting to rule though everyone can now see his pale, unsightly posterior.

Yes, the coffee shops are still open, people still go on vacation with their families. Let’s go to Paris, Rome, the Greek Isles! Let’s pretend everything is as we had imagined in the before times when our goals and aspirations seemed real, when the glitchy pixels in the matrix hadn’t yet revealed themselves so glaringly.

Maybe this was always the case. All our games were always professional wrestling, a scripted charade for which we willingly suspended disbelief. But like the roadrunner in the cartoon, we have since become aware we have run out of road, four steps beyond the cliff edge.

. . .

Wallace in his speech described such indignities as being stuck in traffic after a long day of work, or in a long grocery checkout line. The mind’s usual programs run, cursing everyone and everything around us. Instead of contemplating the miracle of human existence we feel only disgust and impatience. We want to finish with the run, the work, the obligatory hour so we can move on to something presumably more pleasant.

I can handle such day to day discomforts, but the overwhelming sense of dissolution is undermining the aims to which I had once attached meaning. I set up my life for freedom and prosperity, and now, just as I have my ducks in a row, there’s an imminent magnetic pole shift or a financial and social collapse that threatens to counterfeit my efforts.

It’s easy to opt out when you’re losing, to decry the injustice, unfairness and pointlessness of the game when you weren’t getting much from it anyway. When you’ve got nothing, you’ve got nothing to lose, to paraphrase Bob Dylan. But as a late bloomer wanting to sample the wine of the Gods at long last, it’s dispiriting in a different way, like saving up for a new car and seeing it stolen before you had a chance to drive it.

That’s the shallow version, distress at discovering just before getting the things I had always wanted I was actually playing not just the wrong game, but a false one. That I’m upset I can’t gratify my ego in the way I had hoped, that I can’t get the pat on the back I had craved because the back-patters decided to tear up the playing field just as I finally became a contender.

The deeper version is you only get better at the game through your own efforts to discover what’s true, your own self-mastery and access to a measure of wisdom. This process transforms your life from a tedious and difficult slog to a state of ease and flow. You are more connected, more in touch with yourself and the forces within. You can handle aversion, in fact voluntarily invite it at times to hone your mind and access your resourcefulness. You love your life and connect to the people in it. You have great hope and aspirations for the future. You believe in God, or the Tao or whatever force animates all things, you can navigate the world’s imperfections and do not want it to fall into chaos and disorder.

The task of remembering this during the run, the traffic jam or the grocery store checkout line is not so difficult. But would it be the same during periods of violence and resource scarcity where literal survival is at stake, the rules of which are set by biology and physics rather than the incentives of human society?

Yes, I’d rather be eating dinner at home than sitting in traffic, but I can appreciate that I’m able to sit comfortably in my climate controlled pod, listening to music while traversing these distances rather than foraging for food in the harsh wild. Yes, this old Portuguese lady is taking an eternity to get the groceries into her pushcart, but I can imagine how it is to be old and slow and still have to shop and eat, and it’s trivial to cut her some slack.

I’m not claiming I always have this perspective, but I surely am able to channel equanimity during the ordinary aversion that arises in one’s day to day life. I do this while running on the track, the aches and pains, the discomfort, the wanting to get it over with is a battle I fight every week by my own choosing. But imagine if instead of running 10 minute miles I was forced to do them in six. It’s not so easy to keep a calm, conscious mind while gasping for breath.

The truth is these calamities I imagine are not yet real, the asteroid has not yet hit, the economy not yet collapsed. I have never experienced the kind of hardship I dread. I am ever in the grocery line, the 10-minute mile run, the traffic jam, never the concentration camp or Mad Max-style post-apocalypse. Why not just deal with that when the time comes, if it ever comes? Why die a thousand deaths like the proverbial coward rather than the one required of the brave man?

I suppose it comes down to wanting to be prepared. There’s nothing you can do if an asteroid destroys the entire earth, but if your national government devolves into tyranny, you could get out before it’s too late. There’s the adage one should only concern oneself about the things one can control, but the rub is in deciding what’s in your power and of what to let go. It’s an easy out, per the adage, to narrow your locus of control to doing your job and paying your bills. You can too easily forget that which job you have, where you live, what preparations to make are also matters in which you have a choice.

Even if you believe a magnetic pole shift could spill the earth’s oceans across continents within the next few decades — I find this plausible — you could move to the mountains to get ahead even of that. A fatalist, non-questioning attitude can be a psychological salve in times of upheaval, but “salve” and "“slave” are but a typo apart.

. . .

When I was six someone broke into my house. I was still awake, and while pretending to be asleep, I heard him rummaging through my belongings, stealing an old Fisher Price turntable and a black and white TV. My father died four years later, and at 10, I remember thinking as the oldest boy in the house, it was now my responsibility to defend my family if anything like that, or worse, happened again. Of course, I wasn’t really capable of doing this, and I knew it, but I would have to try, futile as it might be.

I imagine that psychology has stayed with me as an adult — it’s up to me to see around corners, assess the various threats to me and my family, even if some of them are too daunting for any one individual. I could let it go, I suppose, it would probably even be healthy to do so. But there is a part of me that wonders whether people like me, people who feel this irrational responsibility, are the those who survive cataclysms and shocks. I surely am not the only one who feels this way and quite likely would not be especially effective given I don’t have engineering, outdoorsman or serious combat skills. But that hyper-vigilance toward and preparation for worse-case scenarios is something someone has to do, someone who would likely be selected for the role by the particular accidents of his upbringing.

. . .

There is another way to look at this, of course. The notion one ought to step up in the face of adverse circumstances, even extreme ones, is valid. But perhaps the best way to prepare is not endlessly to assess potential threats like some black ops CIA outfit, but to have a calm and detached mind. Should the signs appear, a poised and observant person would take action insofar as he is able. That you, having trained your attention away from default habits of comfort-seeking and dread and toward conscious observation, will do what’s required if and when the time comes. That you can trust yourself, and by that I mean trust in God, so to speak, to guide your awareness and actions for the most effective and adaptive response.

The Fourth Turning might well be upon us, indeed “the centre [may not] hold.” There is no guarantee your response will ensure you or those you love survive. There has never been such a guarantee for anyone, only the freedom to direct your attention, to choose your state of mind, to the extent you are capable, in the conditions that arise. To respond to the older fish that the water is okay, it’s pretty nice actually.

@ ea39b0da:29a1710d

{"id":"note_1749707164743_1p9kggl3a","title":"Shopping list","content":"","color":"#d7aefb","tags":["shopping list"],"sharedWith":[],"updatedAt":1749760023243,"version":4,"versions":[{"content":"","title":"Items in the checklist","color":"#fff475","tags":["shopping list"],"sharedWith":[],"updatedAt":1749707164743,"version":1,"checkboxes":[{"id":"checkbox_1749707132850_r8jodz10f","text":"Item 1","checked":false},{"id":"checkbox_1749707137094_wwiespbf4","text":"Item 2","checked":false},{"id":"checkbox_1749707141159_67peohjkk","text":"Item 3","checked":false},{"id":"checkbox_1749707146781_g8wuw0v43","text":"Item 4","checked":false}],"images":[]},{"content":"","title":"Items in the checklist","color":"#d7aefb","tags":["shopping list"],"sharedWith":[],"updatedAt":1749707185004,"version":2,"checkboxes":[{"id":"checkbox_1749707132850_r8jodz10f","text":"Item 1","checked":false},{"id":"checkbox_1749707137094_wwiespbf4","text":"Item 2","checked":false},{"id":"checkbox_1749707141159_67peohjkk","text":"Item 3","checked":false},{"id":"checkbox_1749707146781_g8wuw0v43","text":"Item 4","checked":false}],"images":[]},{"content":"","title":"Items in the checklist","color":"#d7aefb","tags":["shopping list"],"sharedWith":[],"updatedAt":1749707523489,"version":3,"checkboxes":[{"id":"checkbox_1749707132850_r8jodz10f","text":"Item 1","checked":false},{"id":"checkbox_1749707137094_wwiespbf4","text":"Item 2","checked":false},{"id":"checkbox_1749707141159_67peohjkk","text":"Item 3","checked":false},{"id":"checkbox_1749707146781_g8wuw0v43","text":"Item 4","checked":false}],"images":[]}],"checkboxes":[{"id":"checkbox_1749707132850_r8jodz10f","text":"Piim","checked":false},{"id":"checkbox_1749707137094_wwiespbf4","text":"Hakkliha ","checked":false},{"id":"checkbox_1749707141159_67peohjkk","text":"Kana","checked":false},{"id":"checkbox_1749707146781_g8wuw0v43","text":"","checked":false}],"images":[],"isPinned":false}

@ 472f440f:5669301e

Marty's Bent

Sup, freaks? Your Uncle Marty did a little vibe coding a couple months ago and that vibe coding project has turned into an actual product that is live in the Google Chrome web store and will soon to be live in the Firefox add-on store as well. It's called Opportunity Cost and it is an extension that enables you to price the internet in Bitcoin.

Opportunity Cost – See Prices in Bitcoin Instantly

Convert USD prices to Bitcoin (satoshis) as you browse. Dual display, privacy-first, and open source.

Opportunity CostTFTC

Check it out!

This whole process has been extremely rewarding to me for many reasons. The first of which is that I've had many ideas in the past to launch a product focused on bitcoin education that simply never left my brain because I never felt comfortable paying a developer to go out and build a product that I wasn't sure would ultimately get product market fit.

Due to the advancements of AI, particularly ChatGPT and Replit, I was able to spend a few hours on a Saturday vibe coding a prototype for Opportunity Cost. It worked. I side loaded it into Chrome and Firefox, tested it out for a few days and decided, "Hey, I think this is something that's worthwhile and should be built."

Backtracking just a little bit, the initial idea for this app was to create an AR application that would enable you to take pictures of goods in the real world and have their prices automatically converted to bitcoin so that you could weigh the opportunity cost of whether or not you actually wanted to buy that good or decide to save in bitcoin instead. With the help of Justin Moon from the Human Rights Foundation and Anthony Ronning from OpenSecret and Maple AI, I was pointed in the right direction of vibe coding tools I could use to build a simple MVP. I took their advice, built the MVP, and demoed it at the Bitcoin Park Austin weekly AI meetup in mid-April.

The next week, I was talking with a friend, Luke Thomas, about the idea and during our conversation he made a simple quip, "You should make a Chrome extension. I really want a Chrome extension that does this." And that's what sent me down the vibe coding rabbit hole that Saturday which led to the prototype.

After I was comfortable with and confident in the prototype, I found a young hungry developer by the name of Moses on Nostr, I reached out to him, told him my idea, showed him the prototype and asked if he thought he could finish the application for me. He luckily agreed to do so and within a couple of weeks we had a fully functioning app that was officially launched today. We're about 12 hours into the launch and I must say that I'm pleasantly surprised with the reception from the broader Bitcoin community. It seems like something that people are happy exists and I feel extremely happy that people see some value in this particular application.

Now that you have the backstory, let's get into why I think something like Opportunity Cost should exist. As someone who's been writing a newsletter and producing podcasts about bitcoin for eight years in an attempt to educate individuals from around the world about what bitcoin is, why it's important, and how they can leverage it, I've become convinced that a lot of the work that needs to be done still exists at the top of the funnel. You can scream at people. You can grab them by the shoulders. You can shake them. You can remind them at Thanksgiving that if they had listened to your advice during any Thanksgiving in the previous years they would be better off financially. But at the end of the day most people don't listen. They need to see things. Seeing things for yourself is a much more effective teaching mechanism than be lectured to by someone else.

My hope with Opportunity Cost is that it catches the eye of some bitcoin skeptics or individuals who may be on the cusp of falling down the bitcoin rabbit hole and they see the extension as a way to dip their toes into bitcoin to get a better understanding of the world by pricing the goods and services they purchase on a day-to-day month-to-month and year-to-year basis in bitcoin without having to download a wallet or set up an exchange account. The tippy top of the bitcoin marketing funnel.

That is not all though. I think Opportunity Cost can serve individuals at both ends of the funnel. That's why it's pretty exciting to me. It's as valuable to the person who is bitcoin curious and looking to get a better understanding as it is to the hardcore bitcoiner living on a bitcoin standard who is trying to get access to better tools that enable him to get a better grasp of their spending in bitcoin terms.

Lastly, after playing around with it for a few days after I built the prototype, I realized that it has incredible memetic potential. Being able to take a screenshot of goods that people are buying on a day-to-day basis, pricing them in bitcoin and then sharing them on social media is very powerful. Everything from houses to junk items on Amazon to the salaries of pro athletes to your everyday necessities. Seeing the value of those things in bitcoin really makes you think.

One day while I was testing the app, I tried to see how quickly I could find goods on the internet that cumulatively eclipsed the 21 million supply cap limit of bitcoin. To my surprise, even though I've been in bitcoin for 12 years now, it did not take me that long. The opportunity cost of everything I buy on a day-to-day basis becomes very clear when using the extension. What's even clearer is the fact that Bitcoin is completely mispriced at current levels. There is so much winning ahead of us.

Also, it's probably important to note that the extension is open source. You can check out our GitHub page here. Submit pull requests. Suggest changes to the app.

We've also tried to make Opportunity Cost as privacy preserving as possible. Everything within the extension happens in your browser. The only external data that we're providing is the bitcoin to fiat price conversion at any given point in time. We're not data harvesting the web pages you're browsing or the items you're looking at. We're not collecting data and sending it to third party marketers. We want to align ourselves with the open and permissionless nature of bitcoin while also preserving our users' privacy. We're not trying to monetize this in that way. Though, I will say that I'm thinking of ways to monetize Opportunity Cost if it does gain significant traction, but I promise it will be in a way that respects your privacy and is as unobtrusive as possible. We'll see how it goes.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk. Please download and use the extension. Let us know what you think.

Headlines of the Day

Saylor Says Bitcoin Is Perfect Money to Jordan Peterson - via X

Trump Won't Sell Tesla Despite Musk-Bessent Heated Exchange - via X

Bitcoin Gains Traction in Kenya's Largest Slum Kibera - via X

Get our new STACK SATS hat - via tftcmerch.io

---

Bitcoin’s Next Parabolic Move: Could Liquidity Lead the Way?

Is bitcoin’s next parabolic move starting? Global liquidity and business cycle indicators suggest it may be.

Read the latest report from Unchained and TechDev, analyzing how global M2 liquidity and the copper/gold ratio—two historically reliable macro indicators—are aligning once again to signal that a new bitcoin bull market may soon begin.

Download the report here

---

Ten31, the largest bitcoin-focused investor, has deployed $150.00M 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.

---

Final thought...

East Coast aesthetics over everything.

---

*Download our free browser extension, Opportunity Cost: *<<https://www.opportunitycost.app/>> start thinking in SATS today.

*Get this newsletter sent to your inbox daily: *https://www.tftc.io/bitcoin-brief/

Subscribe to our YouTube channels and follow us on Nostr and X:

@ a5ee4475:2ca75401

[EM ATUALIZAÇÃO]

vacina #saude #politica #manipulacao #mundial #genocidio #pandemia #conspiracao

"Aqueles que não conseguem lembrar o passado estão condenados a repeti-lo." - George Satayana

Este artigo reúne algumas menções e evidências mais antigas que vim registrando durante alguns anos em relação a Covid-19, vacinas obrigatórias e a ação de agências de governo, fundações, políticos, mídia tradicional, celebridades, influenciadores, cientistas, redes sociais e laboratórios, em envolvimento com genocídio e restrições de liberdades em escala mundial causado por decisões em várias esferas relativas ao covid e as vacinas obrigatórias em geral.

Porém, alguns links podem não estar mais disponíveis, foram que ainda faltam ser registradas muitas informações já divulgadas nos últimos anos e que muitos não tiveram contato pela escassez de meios para a obtenção dessas informações de forma organizada.

Portanto, o presente artigo ainda passará por atualizações de conteúdo e formatação. Logo, se possível, ajudem sugerindo complementos ou alterações, ou com doações.

---

Noções iniciais:

• O termo 'Coronavírus' (COVID) é na verdade um nome genérico para vários vírus de gripes já comuns, dado para o tipo corona (com uma "coroa", 'espetos' ao redor dele), o Sars-Cov-2 (que passou a ser chamado erroneamente só de Covid), é só um deles.
• SARS-CoV-2 é que é nome do vírus. Ele que causa a doença Covid-19;
• O coronavírus SARS-CoV-2 é o segundo tipo de SARS-CoV documentado, o primeiro ocorreu entre 2002 e 2003, se originando também da China e também dito como tendo origem animal;
• SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) - Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave (SRAG) é a uma doença respiratória viral, relatada ser de origem zoonótica (animal), causada pelos coronavírus SARS-CoV (2002) e SARS-CoV-2 (2019), ambos de origem chinesa;

---

1. Vacinas Obrigatórias em Geral

23/01/2025 - [Pesquisa] Vacinas nos EUA causando autismo em crianças https://publichealthpolicyjournal.com/vaccination-and-neurodevelopmental-disorders-a-study-of-nine-year-old-children-enrolled-in-medicaid/

• O CDC admite que 98 milhões de pessoas receberam o vírus do câncer através da vacina da Poliomielite https://medicinanews.com.br/frente/frente_1/o-cdc-admite-que-98-milhoes-de-pessoas-receberam-o-virus-do-cancer-atraves-da-vacina-poliomielite/

"O CDC (Os Centros de Controle e Prevenção de Doenças dos Estados Unidos) removeu rapidamente uma página do seu site, que estava em cache no Google, como você pode ver logo abaixo, admitindo que mais de 98 milhões de americanos receberam uma ou mais doses de vacina contra pólio dentro de 8 período entre 1955 e 1963, quando uma proporção da vacina foi contaminada com um poliomavírus causador de câncer chamado SV40."

Fonte original da imagem: https://preventdisease.com/images13/CDC_Polio.png [indisponível] - A imagem foi trocada por outra de menor qualidade e em outro link, mas eu já tinha a imagem original salva.

Imagem arquivada em: https://web.archive.org/web/20201203231640/

27/02/2021 - Por que o Japão demorou para vacinar, mesmo com Olimpíada se aproximando https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/internacional/2021/02/27/por-que-o-japao-demorou-para-vacinar-mesmo-com-olimpiada-se-aproximando

"Desconfiança da população japonesa em relação a vacinas, ligada a casos ocorridos no passado, está entre razões que atrasaram imunização no país.

A resistência à vacina do Japão remonta à década de 1970, quando duas crianças morreram dentro de 24 horas após receberem a vacina combinada contra difteria, tétano e coqueluche (coqueluche). A vacina foi temporariamente suspensa, mas a confiança já havia sido abalada. Por vários anos, as taxas de vacinação infantil caíram, levando a um aumento nos casos de tosse convulsa.

No final dos anos 1980, houve outro susto com a introdução da vacina tripla contra sarampo, caxumba e rubéola produzida no Japão. As primeiras versões do imunizante foram associadas à meningite asséptica, ou inchaço das membranas ao redor do cérebro e da medula espinhal. O problema foi rastreado até o componente caxumba da vacina tripla, o que levou a uma ação judicial e a indenização por danos pesados.

O Instituto Nacional de Ciências da Saúde interrompeu a dose combinada em 1993 e a substituiu por vacinas individuais. Após o escândalo, Shibuya disse que o governo japonês se tornou "ciente dos riscos" e seu programa nacional de vacinação tornou-se voluntário.

O Dr. Yuho Horikoshi, especialista em doenças infecciosas, diz que os processos levaram a uma "lacuna de vacinação", em que nenhuma vacina foi aprovada no Japão por cerca de 15 anos.

Mais recentemente, em 2013, o Japão adicionou a vacina contra o papilomavírus humano (HPV) ao calendário nacional para proteger as meninas contra o vírus sexualmente transmissível, que é conhecido por causar câncer cervical. No entanto, vídeos de meninas supostamente sofrendo de reações adversas começaram a circular no YouTube, levando o governo a retirá-los da programação nacional."

---

2. PRIMEIRAS OCORRÊNCIAS PREDITIVAS AO COVID-19

2002 - Síndrome respiratória aguda grave (SARS) Brenda L. Tesini (setembro de 2018). Síndrome respiratória aguda grave (SARS) [indisponível]. Manual Merck. Consultado em 23 de janeiro de 2020, citado no Wikipedia

SARS - Wikipédia: "A SARS [doença do vírus SARS-CoV] foi detectada pela primeira vez no fim de 2002 na China. Entre 2002 e 2003, um surto da doença resultou em mais de 8 000 casos e cerca de 800 mortes em todo o mundo."

2010 - Fundação Rockfeller, Lockstep. https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/Annual-Report-2010-1.pdf

Neste PDF da fundação Rockfeller, em seu próprio site, a fundação deixou claro o seu envolvimento em casos de ‘contenção’ de pandemias juntamente com a USAID (agência americana com nome ambíguo, como formalmente ‘United States Agency for International Development’, mas soando como ‘US Socorre’, mas sendo um braço do governo democrata que financiava interferências políticas diretas em vários países, como em intervenções no Brasil ), inclusive em relacionadas ao SARS, o mesmo sintoma dos coronavírus Sars-Cov e Sars-Cov-2 (o vírus propagado em 2019) e que causa o COVID-19.

Segundo eles:

“Integração entre Regiões e Países

A Fundação Rockefeler investiu US$ 22 milhões em sua Iniciativa de Redes de Vigilância de Doenças para ajudar a conter a disseminação de doenças infecciosas e pandemias, fortalecendo os sistemas nacionais, regionais e globais de vigilância e resposta a doenças. Dois programas-chave da Rockefeler — a Rede de Vigilância de Doenças da Bacia do Mekong e a Rede Integrada de Vigilância de Doenças da África Oriental — conectaram e capacitaram profissionais de saúde, epidemiologistas e autoridades de saúde pública em toda a região, levando a um aumento de seis vezes nos locais de vigilância de doenças transfronteiriças somente nos últimos três anos. Em 2010, a Rockefeler expandiu a bem-sucedida campanha transdisciplinar One Health, que a USAID e o Banco Asiático de Desenvolvimento adotaram como modelos. One Health refere-se à integração da ciência médica e veterinária para combater essas novas variedades de doenças zoonóticas que se movem e sofrem mutações rapidamente de animais para humanos. Essas colaborações criaram e fortaleceram uma rede regional crítica de saúde pública, enquanto as lições aprendidas foram exportadas entre disciplinas e países. Além de fortalecer os laços globais em saúde pública, a Rockefeler ajudou a elevar o nível de especialização e treinamento em campo. O Programa de Treinamento em Epidemiologia de Campo coloca graduados nos mais altos escalões do governo no Laos e no Vietnã, enquanto as bolsas da Rockefeler transformaram as ferramentas disponíveis para os médicos, permitindo-lhes utilizar o poder da internet para se comunicar e monitorar eventos, compreender contextos locais e analisar novos problemas. Finalmente, estamos aplicando ferramentas do século XXI para combater os desafios de saúde do século XXI.”

Julho de 2012 - Revista Mundo Estranho - Epidemias Citado em: https://super.abril.com.br/especiais/epidemia-o-risco-invisivel/

Página do site ME salva em Imagem no Voidcat

Houve uma ‘coincidência’, a revista Mundo Estranho em julho de 2012, entrevistou o até então doutorando em virologia, Átila Iamarino (do canal Nerdologia no Youtube - O mesmo cientista que fez diversas propagandas das vacinas no Brasil), para descrever um possível cenário de propagação de uma epidemia viral, a revista descreve com grande precisão os eventos de 2020, mas apontando o oposto da China, em que, na realidade, sua economia cresceu vertiginosamente.

Segundo eles:

“ 1 – A Ásia é o ponto de partida. Após várias mutações, um novo vírus surge hospedado em morcegos. As fezes que eles soltam no ar infectam guaxinins. Dos mercados da China, esses animais são levados vivos para serem abatidos em restaurantes. Estressados, eles arranham e mordem os cozinheiros, espalhando o vírus.

2 – O vírus adquire a capacidade de ser transmitido de homem para homem por via aérea – forma mais fácil de contágio. Além disso, o contágio se dá antes mesmo de o enfermo apresentar os sintomas. Assim, em média, o doente infecta cinco pessoas antes de ter febre, vômito, diarreia, desidratação e falta de ar.

3 – O governo chinês envia uma comissão para avaliar a doença misteriosa que acomete alguns vilarejos. A equipe volta sem resultados e não considera o surto alarmante até que três pesquisadores adoecem e um deles morre. A China não informa a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) para não demonstrar fragilidade.

4 – Os sintomas são comuns e a doença só chama a atenção quando muita gente começa a morrer na mesma região. Ainda assim, demora para que médicos e enfermeiros percebam a ineficiência de antibióticos na cura – o que exclui a maioria das bactérias como agente causador. Testes com vírus comuns também dão negativo.

5 – O governo isola comunidades em que há focos da doença. Ninguém entra nas cidades e nenhum doente pode sair. Mas, como a misteriosa enfermidade demora quatro dias para mostrar seus sintomas, muitos doentes saem dos vilarejos sem saber que estão infectados, alastrando a epidemia.

6 – Doentes viajam de avião para grandes cidades, como Hong Kong. O fervilhante centro comercial, que atrai gente do mundo todo, é um polo de contágio e disseminação. Sem imaginar o risco que correm, pessoas são contaminadas e, ao voltar para seu local de origem, carregam o vírus para todos os continentes.

7 – Com a doença já fora de controle, começa uma corrida entre laboratórios e cientistas de grandes universidades para descobrir o agente causador. Mesmo com o vírus isolado, as vacinas demoram para ser feitas em larga escala, tornando impossível o atendimento à demanda mundial.

8 – Os países se isolam, mantendo esquemas de quarentena. Aeroportos são fechados e o turismo mundial cai a quase zero. A China sofre as piores consequências, com o fluxo de empresários para Hong Kong suspenso – gerando prejuízos de bilhões de dólares – e com o boicote a produtos alimentícios vindos da Ásia.

9 – Além dos 10% de casos letais, os milhões de doentes precisam de atendimento médico. Enquanto hospitais e cemitérios estão lotados, escolas, indústrias e comércio ficam paralisados por falta de profissionais. O transporte público também para e os trabalhadores que podem passam a trabalhar em casa.

10 – Nas nações pobres, quase 20% da população morre – e outros milhões são vitimados mesmo em países ricos. Parte dessa mortalidade ocorre por causa da doença, mas outro fator determinante é a crise financeira global. A produção de alimentos cai por falta de mão de obra.

Fontes: A História e Suas Epidemias e Pandemias – A Humanidade em Risco, de Stefan Cunha Ujvari; Pragas e Epidemias – Histórias de Doenças Infecciosas, de Antonio Carlos de Castro Toledo Jr. Consultoria: Stefan Ujvari Cunha, infectologista do Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz; Paolo Zanotto, professor de virologia do Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB) da USP; Átila Iamarino, doutorando em HIV-1 no ICB da USP. “

---

3. PRIMEIROS INDÍCIOS

10/2019 - Evento 201 - Durante os Jogos Militares Internacionais na China https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/event201/

Promovido por: - Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - John Hopkins Institute - Fórum econômico mundial

"O evento simula a liberação de um coronavírus novo do tipo zoonótico transmitido por morcegos para porcos e por fim para humanos. Eventualmente ele se torna muito transmissível entre humanos levando a uma pandemia severa. O vírus é muito parecido com o vírus da SARS, mas se transmite muito mais facilmente entre pessoas devido a sintomas muito mais leves destas."

Também mencionado por: Jornal Estadão

Sobre o "Movimento antivacina"

05/12/2017 - Movimento antivacina: como surgiu e quais consequências ele pode trazer? https://www.uol.com.br/universa/noticias/redacao/2017/12/05/o-que-o-movimento-antivacina-pode-causar.htm?cmpid=copiaecola

23/03/2019 - "Instagram bloqueia hashtags e conteúdo antivacinação" https://canaltech.com.br/redes-sociais/instagram-bloqueia-hashtags-e-conteudo-antivacinacao-135411/

23/05/2021 - Novos dados sobre pesquisadores de Wuhan aumentam debate sobre origens da Covid https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/saude/novos-dados-sobre-pesquisadores-de-wuhan-aumentam-debate-sobre-origens-da-covid/

"A China relatou à Organização Mundial da Saúde que o primeiro paciente com sintomas semelhantes aos de Covid-19 foi registrado em Wuhan em 8 de dezembro de 2019"

01/02/2020 - O que aconteceu desde que o novo coronavírus foi descoberto na China https://exame.com/ciencia/o-que-aconteceu-desde-que-o-novo-coronavirus-foi-descoberto-na-china/

"O primeiro alerta foi recebido pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) em 31 de dezembro de 2019"

15/09/2020 - YouTube diz que vai remover vídeos com mentiras sobre vacina contra COVID-19 https://gizmodo.uol.com.br/youtube-remover-videos-mentiras-vacina-covid-19/

"O YouTube anunciou na quarta-feira (14) que estenderá as regras atuais sobre mentiras, propaganda e teorias da conspiração sobre a pandemia do coronavírus para incluir desinformação sobre as vacinas contra a doença.

De acordo com a Reuters, a gigante do vídeo diz que agora vai proibir conteúdos sobre vacinas contra o coronavírus que contradizem “o consenso de especialistas das autoridades de saúde locais ou da OMS”, como afirmações falsas de que a vacina é um pretexto para colocar chips de rastreamento nas pessoas ou que irá matar ou esterilizar quem tomar."

*07/01/2021 - YouTube vai punir canais que promovem mentiras sobre eleições – incluindo os de Trump https://olhardigital.com.br/2021/01/07/noticias/youtube-vai-punir-canais-que-promovem-mentiras-sobre-eleicoes-incluindo-os-de-trump/

"O YouTube anunciou que vai punir canais que promovem mentiras sobre as eleições, removendo sumariamente qualquer vídeo que contenha desinformação e, ao mesmo tempo, advertindo com um “strike” o canal que o veicular. A medida já está valendo e a primeira “vítima” é ninguém menos que o ex-presidente americano, Donald Trump.

A medida não é exatamente nova, mas foi novamente comunicada e reforçada pelo YouTube na quarta-feira (6), após os eventos de invasão do Capitólio, em Washington, onde o presidente eleito Joe Biden participava da cerimônia que confirmava a sua vitória nas eleições de novembro de 2020. A ocasião ficou marcada pela tentativa de invasão de correligionários de Trump, que entraram no edifício em oposição à nomeação do novo presidente. Uma mulher acabou sendo morta pela polícia que protegia o local.

O ex-presidente Donald Trump teve vídeos banidos de seu canal no YouTube após os eventos de ontem (6) no capitólio."

---

4. FIGURAS CENTRAIS

Bill Gates

• Bill Gates diz 'não' a abrir patentes de vacinas https://www.frontliner.com.br/bill-gates-diz-nao-a-abrir-patentes-de-vacinas/

"Bill Gates, um dos homens mais ricos do mundo, cuja fundação tem participação na farmacêutica alemã CureVac, produtora de vacina mRNA para prevenção de covid-19, disse não acreditar que a propriedade intelectual tenha algo a ver com o longo esforço global para controlar a pandemia."

João Doria - Governo de São Paulo

26/07/2017 - João Dória vai a China conhecer drones para ampliar segurança eletrônica na capital paulista https://jc.ne10.uol.com.br/blogs/jamildo/2017/07/26/joao-doria-vai-china-conhecer-drones-para-ampliar-seguranca-eletronica-na-capital-paulista/

02/08/2019 - Governo de SP fará Missão China para ampliar cooperação e atrair investimentos https://www.saopaulo.sp.gov.br/spnoticias/governo-de-sao-paulo-detalha-objetivos-da-missao-china/

20/11/2019 - Doria se encontra com chineses das gigantes CREC e CRCC e oferece concessões de rodovia, metrô e ferrovia https://diariodotransporte.com.br/2019/11/20/doria-se-encontra-com-chineses-das-gigantes-crec-e-crcc-e-oferece-concessoes-de-rodovia-metro-e-ferrovia/

25/01/2020 - "Chineses serão agressivos" nas privatizações em SP até 2022, afirma Dória https://noticias.uol.com.br/colunas/jamil-chade/2020/01/25/entrevista-joao-doria-privatizacoes-sao-paulo-china.htm

O governador de São Paulo, João Doria, afirma que vai acelerar os programas de desestatização no estado em 2020 e acredita que concessões e vendas poderão permitir uma arrecadação de pelo menos R$ 40 bilhões. Nesse processo, o governador avalia que a China deve atuar de forma agressiva e que aprofundará sua posição de maior parceira comercial do estado, se distanciando de americanos e argentinos.

29/06/2020 - Doria estabelece multa para quem estiver sem máscara na rua em SP https://veja.abril.com.br/saude/doria-estabelece-multa-para-quem-estiver-sem-mascara-na-rua/

24/12/2020 - Doria é flagrado sem máscara e fazendo compras em Miami https://pleno.news/brasil/politica-nacional/doria-e-flagrado-sem-mascara-e-fazendo-compras-em-miami.html

"Foto do governador de São Paulo sem o item de proteção viralizou nas redes"

07/06/2021 - Doria é criticado na internet por tomar sol sem máscara em hotel no Rio https://vejasp.abril.com.br/cidades/doria-e-criticado-na-internet-por-tomar-sol-sem-mascara-em-hotel-no-rio/

30/09/2020 - Governo de SP assina contrato com Sinovac e prevê vacina para dezembro https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/saude/noticia/2020-09/governo-de-sp-assina-contrato-com-sinovac-e-preve-vacina-para-dezembro

O governador de São Paulo, João Doria, e o vice-presidente da laboratório chinês Sinovac, Weining Meng, assinaram hoje (30), um contrato que prevê o fornecimento de 46 milhões de doses da vacina CoronaVac para o governo paulista até dezembro deste ano.

O contrato também prevê a transferência tecnológica da vacina da Sinovac para o Instituto Butantan, o que significa que, o instituto brasileiro poderá começar a fabricar doses dessa vacina contra o novo coronavírus. O valor do contrato, segundo o governador João Doria é de US$ 90 milhões.

20/10/2020 - Coronavac terá mais de 90% de eficácia, afirmam integrantes do governo paulista https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/saude/2020/12/20/coronavac-tera-mais-de-90-de-eficacia-afirmam-integrantes-do-governo

24/10/2020 - Não esperamos 90% de eficácia da Coronavac’, diz secretário de saúde de SP https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/saude/2020/12/24/nao-esperamos-90-de-eficacia-da-coronavac-diz-secretario-de-saude-de-sp

07/01/2021 - Vacina do Butantan: eficácia é de 78% em casos leves e 100% em graves https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/saude/2021/01/07/vacina-do-butantan-eficacia-e-de-78-em-casos-leves-e-100-em-graves

09/01/2021 - Não é hora de sermos tão cientistas como estamos sendo agora https://g1.globo.com/sp/sao-paulo/video/nao-e-hora-de-sermos-tao-cientistas-como-estamos-sendo-agora-diz-secretario-de-saude-de-sp-9166405.ghtml

10/01/2021 - Dados da Coronavac relatados à Anvisa não estão claros, diz médico https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/saude/2021/01/10/dados-da-coronavac-relatados-a-anvisa-nao-estao-claros-diz-medico

"O diretor do Laboratório de Imunologia do Incor, Jorge Kalil, reforçou que faltaram informações sobre a Coronavac nos dados divulgados à Anvisa"

12/01/2021 - New Brazil data shows disappointing 50,4% efficacy for China’s Coronavac vaccine [Novos dados do Brasil mostram eficácia decepcionante de 50,4% para a vacina CoronaVac da China] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-brazil-coronavirus/new-brazil-data-shows-disappointing-504-efficacy-for-chinas-coronavac-vaccine-idUSKBN29H2CE

13/01/2021 - Eficácia da Coronavac: 50,38%, 78% ou 100%? https://blogs.oglobo.globo.com/lauro-jardim/post/5038-78-ou-100.html

“De acordo com interlocutores que participaram tanto do anúncio de ontem como da semana passada, quem pressionou para que os dados de 78% e 100% fossem liberados foi João Dória.”

07/05/2021 - Covid-19: Doria toma primeira dose da vacina CoronaVac https://veja.abril.com.br/saude/covid-19-doria-toma-primeira-dose-da-vacina-coronavac/

04/06/2021 - Doria é vacinado com a segunda dose da CoronaVac em São Paulo https://noticias.uol.com.br/politica/ultimas-noticias/2021/06/04/doria-e-vacinado-com-a-segunda-dose-da-coronavac-em-sao-paulo.htm

15/07/2021 - Doria testa positivo para a Covid-19 pela 2ª vez https://www.correiobraziliense.com.br/politica/2021/07/4937833-doria-testa-positivo-para-covid-19-pela-segunda-vez.html

"Governador de São Paulo já havia sido diagnosticado com a doença no ano passado. Ele diz que, apesar da infecção, se sente bem, o que atribui ao fato de ter sido vacinado com duas doses da Coronavac"

06/08/2021 - CPI recebe investigação contra Doria por compra de máscara sem licitação https://www.conexaopoder.com.br/nacional/cpi-recebe-investigacao-contra-doria-por-compra-de-mascara-sem-licitacao/150827

"Empresa teria usado o nome de Alexandre Frota para vender máscaras ao governo de SP. Doria nega informação"

Renan Filho

(filho do Renan Calheiros)

25/07/2019 - Governador Renan Filho vai à China em busca de investimentos para o estado https://www.tnh1.com.br/videos/vid/governador-renan-filho-vai-a-china-em-busca-de-investimentos-para-o-estado/

20/03/2020 - Governadores do NE consultam China e pedem material para tratar covid-19 https://noticias.uol.com.br/saude/ultimas-noticias/redacao/2020/03/20/governadores-do-ne-consultam-china-e-pedem-material-para-tratar-covid-19.htm

---

5. Narrativas, restrições e proibições

17/12/2020 - STF decide que vacina contra a covid pode ser obrigatória, mas não forçada https://noticias.uol.com.br/saude/ultimas-noticias/redacao/2020/12/17/stf-julga-vacinacao-obrigatoria.htm?cmpid=copiaecola

"O STF (Supremo Tribunal Federal) decidiu, em julgamento hoje, que o Estado pode determinar a obrigatoriedade da vacinação contra a covid-19. Porém fica proibido o uso da força para exigir a vacinação, ainda que possam ser aplicadas restrições a direitos de quem recusar a imunização.

Dez ministros foram favoráveis a obrigatoriedade da vacinação, que poderá ser determinada pelo governo federal, estados ou municípios. As penalidades a quem não cumprir a obrigação deverão ser definidas em lei."

27/07/2021 - Saiba que países estão adotando 'passaporte da vacina' para suspender restrições https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/internacional/2021/07/27/saiba-que-paises-estao-adotando-passaporte-da-vacina-para-suspender-restricoes

" - Israel - Uniao Europeia - Áustria - Dinamarca - Eslovênia - França - Grécia - Irlanda - Itália - Letônia - Lituânia - Luxemburgo - Holanda - Portugal - Japão - Coreia do sul"

18/06/2021 - O que é o passaporte da vacina que Bolsonaro quer vetar? https://noticias.uol.com.br/politica/ultimas-noticias/2021/06/18/uol-explica-o-que-e-o-passaporte-da-vacina-que-opoe-bolsonaro-e-damares.htm

"O Brasil poderá ter um certificado de imunização futuramente. Aprovado no Senado na semana passada, o "passaporte da vacina", como é chamado, prevê identificar pessoas vacinadas para que entrem em locais públicos ou privados com possíveis restrições."

---

6. Vacinas

Alegações iniciais

• CoronaVac, Oxford e Pfizer: veja diferenças entre as vacinas contra covid noticias.uol.com.br/saude/ultimas-noticias/redacao/2021/05/11/diferencas-vacinas-covid-brasil.htm

" - CoronaVac (Butantan/Sinovac - Chinesa) Com virus inativo 50,38% de eficácia 2 doses

• Covishield - 'AstraZeneca' (Fiocruz/Astrazenica/Oxford - Britânica) Com virus não replicante 67% de eficácia 2 doses

• ComiRNAty - 'Pfizer' (Pfizer - Americana / BioNTech - Alemã) Com RNA mensageiro 96% de eficácia 2 doses"

Riscos diretos

15/06/2021 - Trombose após vacinação com AstraZeneca: Quais os sintomas e como se deve atuar? https://www.istoedinheiro.com.br/trombose-apos-vacinacao-com-astrazeneca-quais-os-sintomas-e-como-se-deve-atuar/

"Agências europeias estão reticentes com a vacina da AstraZeneca. Ela chegou a ser desaconselhada a pessoas com idade inferior a 60 anos, e um alto funcionário da Agência Europeia de Medicamentos declarou que era melhor deixar de administrar a vacina deste laboratório em qualquer idade quando há alternativas disponíveis, devido aos relatos de trombose após a primeira dose, apesar de raros."

11/05/2021 - CoronaVac, Oxford e Pfizer: veja diferenças entre as vacinas contra covid https://noticias.uol.com.br/saude/ultimas-noticias/redacao/2021/05/11/diferencas-vacinas-covid-brasil.htm

"Na terça-feira (12), o Ministério da Saúde determinou a suspensão da aplicação da vacina de Oxford/AstraZeneca para gestantes e puérperas com comorbidades. A decisão segue recomendação da Anvisa, que apura a morte de uma grávida de 35 anos que tomou o imunizante e teve um AVC (acidente vascular cerebral)."

30/07/2021 - Pfizer representa o mesmo risco de trombose que a Astrazeneca, aponta levantamento https://panoramafarmaceutico.com.br/pfizer-representa-o-mesmo-risco-de-trombose-que-a-astrazeneca-aponta-levantamento/

---

7. CRIMES

Crimes da Pfizer

18/11/2020 Não listado no google - Os Crimes documentados da produtora de vacinas de Covid - Pfizer [INGLÊS] https://www.dmlawfirm.com/crimes-of-covid-vaccine-maker-pfizer-well-documented/

"A velocidade com que a vacina Covid da Pfizer foi produzida, a ausência de estudos em animais, testes de controle randomizados e outros testes e procedimentos padrão usuais para um novo medicamento são, no mínimo, preocupantes. Além disso, todos os fabricantes de vacinas Covid receberam imunidade legal para quaisquer ferimentos ou mortes que possam causar. Se essas vacinas são tão seguras quanto promovidas, por que seus fabricantes precisam de imunidade geral?"

"A Pfizer, uma empresa farmacêutica que parece ter ganhado na loteria para produzir a primeira vacina Covid-19, está atualmente lutando contra centenas de ações judiciais sobre o Zantac, um popular medicamento contra azia. Os processos da Zantac afirmam que a droga popular pode estar contaminada com uma substância cancerígena chamada N-nitrosodimetilamina (NDMA). Os processos Zantac são em aberto e em andamento, já que a farmacêutica está lutando contra eles; mas a Pfizer, sabemos, cometeu vários crimes ou transgressões pelos quais foi punida nos últimos anos. As falhas da empresa estão bem documentadas e vale a pena revisá-las neste momento crítico da história da humanidade, enquanto todos nós buscamos respostas."

A Pfizer recebeu a maior multa da história dos Estados Unidos como parte de um acordo judicial de US $ 2,3 bilhões com promotores federais por promover medicamentos erroneamente (Bextra, Celebrex) e pagar propinas a médicos complacentes. A Pfizer se confessou culpada de falsificar a marca do analgésico Bextra, promovendo o medicamento para usos para os quais não foi aprovado.

Na década de 1990, a Pfizer estava envolvida em válvulas cardíacas defeituosas que causaram a morte de mais de 100 pessoas. A Pfizer enganou deliberadamente os reguladores sobre os perigos. A empresa concordou em pagar US $ 10,75 milhões para acertar as acusações do departamento de justiça por enganar reguladores.

A Pfizer pagou mais de US $ 60 milhões para resolver um processo sobre o Rezulin, um medicamento para diabetes que causou a morte de pacientes de insuficiência hepática aguda.

No Reino Unido, a Pfizer foi multada em quase € 90 milhões por sobrecarregar o NHS, o Serviço Nacional de Saúde. A Pfizer cobrou do contribuinte um adicional de € 48 milhões por ano, pelo que deveria custar € 2 milhões por ano.

A Pfizer concordou em pagar US $ 430 milhões em 2004 para resolver acusações criminais de que havia subornado médicos para prescrever seu medicamento para epilepsia Neurontin para indicações para as quais não foi aprovado. Em 2011, um júri concluiu que a Pfizer cometeu fraude em sua comercialização do medicamento Neurontin. A Pfizer concordou em pagar $ 142,1 milhões para liquidar as despesas.

A Pfizer revelou que pagou quase 4.500 médicos e outros profissionais médicos cerca de US $ 20 milhões por falar em nome da Pfizer.

Em 2012, a Comissão de Valores Mobiliários dos Estados Unidos - anunciou que havia chegado a um acordo de US $ 45 milhões com a Pfizer para resolver acusações de que suas subsidiárias haviam subornado médicos e outros profissionais de saúde no exterior para aumentar as vendas no exterior.

A Pfizer foi processada em um tribunal federal dos Estados Unidos por usar crianças nigerianas como cobaias humanas, sem o consentimento dos pais das crianças. A Pfizer pagou US $ 75 milhões para entrar em acordo no tribunal nigeriano pelo uso de um antibiótico experimental, o Trovan, nas crianças. A empresa pagou um valor adicional não divulgado nos Estados Unidos para liquidar as despesas aqui. A Pfizer violou o direito internacional, incluindo a Convenção de Nuremberg estabelecida após a Segunda Guerra Mundial, devido aos experimentos nazistas em prisioneiros relutantes.

Em meio a críticas generalizadas de roubar os países pobres em busca de drogas, a Pfizer prometeu dar US $ 50 milhões para um medicamento para a AIDS para a África do Sul. Mais tarde, no entanto, a Pfizer falhou em honrar essa promessa.

• Pfizer contract leaked! [Contrato da Pfizer vazado] http://sanjeev.sabhlokcity.com/Misc/LEXO-KONTRATEN-E-PLOTE.pdf

Segundo o contrato "o produto não deve ser serializado":

"5.5 Reconhecimento do comprador.

O Comprador reconhece que a Vacina e os materiais relacionados à Vacina, e seus componentes e materiais constituintes estão sendo desenvolvidos rapidamente devido às circunstâncias de emergência da pandemia de COVID-19 e continuarão a ser estudados após o fornecimento da Vacina ao Comprador nos termos deste Contrato. O Comprador reconhece ainda que os efeitos de longo prazo e eficácia da Vacina não são atualmente conhecidos e que pode haver efeitos adversos da Vacina que não são atualmente conhecidos. Além disso, na medida do aplicável, o Comprador reconhece que o Produto não deve ser serializado."

Crimes da AstraZeneca

21/06/2003 - AstraZeneca se declara culpada no esquema de médico de câncer https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/21/business/astrazeneca-pleads-guilty-in-cancer-medicine-scheme.html

"A AstraZeneca, a grande empresa farmacêutica, se declarou culpada hoje de uma acusação de crime de fraude no sistema de saúde e concordou em pagar $ 355 milhões para resolver as acusações criminais e civis de que se envolveu em um esquema nacional para comercializar ilegalmente um medicamento contra o câncer de próstata.

O governo disse que os funcionários da empresa deram incentivos financeiros ilegais a cerca de 400 médicos em todo o país para persuadi-los a prescrever o medicamento Zoladex. Esses incentivos incluíram milhares de amostras grátis de Zoladex [...]"

27/04/2010 - Farmacêutica gigante AstraZeneca pagará US $ 520 milhões pelo marketing de medicamentos off-label https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/pharmaceutical-giant-astrazeneca-pay-520-million-label-drug-marketing

"AstraZeneca LP e AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP vão pagar $ 520 milhões para resolver as alegações de que a AstraZeneca comercializou ilegalmente o medicamento antipsicótico Seroquel para usos não aprovados como seguros e eficazes pela Food and Drug Administration (FDA), os Departamentos de Justiça e Saúde e Serviços Humanos A Equipe de Ação de Fiscalização de Fraudes em Saúde (HEAT) anunciou hoje. Esses usos não aprovados também são conhecidos como usos "off-label" porque não estão incluídos no rótulo do medicamento aprovado pela FDA."

• List of largest pharmaceutical settlements [Lista dos maiores acordos farmaceuticos] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_pharmaceutical_settlements

---

8. CIENTISTAS

• Máscara Provoca Insuficiência Respiratória E Contaminação Microbiana… [Canal deletado] https://youtube.com/watch?v=eHu-pydSvDI

Não lembro mais a quem pertencia, mas provavelmente era de um médico falando do assunto. Creio ter sido do Dr. Paulo Sato, por essa temática ter sido abordada por ele, mas ao abrir o site aparece somente:

"Este vídeo foi removido por violar as diretrizes da comunidade do YouTube"

Dr. Paulo Sato

• USAR ou NÃO USAR a CUECA do seu governador no rosto https://fb.watch/7NPP_7rS5S/ https://www.facebook.com/AdoniasSoaresBR/videos/1347904292291481/ Adonias Soares entrevista ao Dr. Paulo Sato sobre as máscaras, em que é simulado o efeito da respiração prolongada das máscaras no organismo com o uso de águas de torneira, natural, gaseificada (com gás carbônico) e antioxidante, em que a com gás carbônico (PH 4 - Ácido) representa o organismo humano, e na prática representa lesão corporal e iniciação de doenças.

Dr. Kary Mullis

(Criador do teste PCR)

• PCR nas palavras do seu inventor - Dr. Kary Mullis (legendado) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1O52uTygk8

"Qualquer um pode testar positivo para quase qualquer coisa com um teste de PCR, se você executá-lo por tempo suficiente… Com PCR, se voce fizer isso bem, você pode encontrar quase tudo em qualquer pessoa… Isso não te diz que você está doente."

• Kary Mullis DESTRUYE a Anthony Fauci lbry://@CapitalistChile#0/Kary-Mullis---Fauci#5

"Ele [...] não entende de medicina e não deveria estar onde está. A maioria dos que estão acima são só administrativos e não têm nem ideia do que ocorre aqui em baixo e essas pessoas tem uma agenda que não é a que gostaríamos que tivessem, dado que somos nós os que pagamos a eles para que cuidem da nossa saúde. Têm uma agenda pessoal."

Dra. Li-Meng Yan

• Dra. Li-Meng Yan: O vírus foi criado em laboratório com um objetivo: Causar dano. https://youtu.be/pSXp3CZnvOc

Dr. Joe Roseman

• Cientista Phd Dr Joe Roseman faz seríssimas advertencias sobre a picada https://youtu.be/0PIXVFqJ_h8

Dr. Robert Malone

• As vacinas podem estar causando ADE - Dr. Robert Malone https://odysee.com/@AkashaComunidad:f/Las_vacunas_pueden_estar_causando_ADE_magnificaci%C3%B3n_mediada_por:f lbry://@Información.#b/Drrm#9

Dr. Robert Malone, um dos três inventores da tecnologia de RNAm que se usa de forma farmacêutica. No vídeo fala sobre os efeitos de ADE (realce dependente de anticorpos) que estão ocorrendo com as vacinas. Nas palavras do Dr. Malone, já não é somente uma hipótese, mas baseada nos conhecimentos gerados nas provas e ensaios pré clínicos, com as vacinas contra o primeiro vírus da SARS.

Dr. Luc Montagnier

• Dr. Luc Montagnier, virologista, prêmio Nobel de medicina, um dos descobridores do vírus HIV, afirma: "a vacinação em massa está criando as novas variantes' (@medicospelavida , telegram)

CASOS DOCUMENTADOS

13/09/2021 - 13 de setembro de 2021 - Carta aberta ao Ministro da Saúde por Arlene Ferrari Graf, mãe de Bruno Oscar Graf https://telegra.ph/Carta-aberta-ao-Ministro-da-Sa%C3%BAde-09-13

Também em: Gazeta do Povo

O texto de uma mãe discorrendo sobre o filho dela, Bruno Oscar Graf, ter ANTI-HEPARINA PF4 AUTO-IMUNE e ter vindo a falecer por reação à vacina.

11/05/2021 - Rio notifica morte de grávida vacinada com imunizante Oxford https://www.terra.com.br/noticias/coronavirus/rio-notifica-morte-de-gravida-vacinada-com-imunizante-oxford,415b9b0c49169427ac2f90ae3765c057e9suy3qn.html

"Vítima não apresentava histórico de doença circulatória nem sofria de nenhuma doença viral; relação será investigada"

13/08/2021 - Cruzeiro com 4.336 pessoas tem 27 contaminados com Covid-19 em Belize https://paranaportal.uol.com.br/geral/cruzeiro-com-4-336-pessoas-tem-27-contaminados-com-covid-19-em-belize/amp/

"Segundo um comunicado do Conselho de Turismo de Belize emitido na quarta-feira (11), 26 contaminados são da tripulação e um é passageiro. A maioria é assintomática e os 27 estão vacinados."

---

9. ALEGAÇÕES DIRETAS

09/2021 - Setembro de 2021 - BOMBA: Ex-membro do Partido Comunista da China revela que o primeiro surto da Covid foi “intencional” https://terrabrasilnoticias.com/2021/09/bomba-ex-membro-do-partido-comunista-da-china-revela-que-o-primeiro-surto-da-covid-foi-intencional/

01/03/2023 - 1 de Março de 2023 - O chefe do FBI, Christopher Wray, diz que vazamento de laboratório na China é muito provável https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64806903

26/12/2024 - 26 de Dezembro 2024 - FBI ‘não tem permissão para informar Biden’ sobre a teoria de vazamento de laboratório da Covid https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/fbi-not-allowed-to-brief-biden-on-covid-lab-leak-theory-8df9mr997

O FBI concluiu com "confiança moderada" que a COVID-19 pode ter sido criada em laboratório, com base em parte na análise genômica conduzida por cientistas do Centro Nacional de Inteligência Médica.

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

CEO Paolo Ardoino unveils the open-source strategy for the operating system, aiming to make mining accessible to small and medium-sized businesses.

Tether has announced it will make its Bitcoin Mining Operating System (MOS) available for free, enabling operators of all sizes to manage mining infrastructures without relying on third-party software. The announcement came directly from CEO Paolo Ardoino.

How the Bitcoin Mining Operating System works

The operating system developed by Tether offers an efficient solution for managing mining operations. The MOS integrates all essential components of a mining site into a serverless peer-to-peer network, ensuring smooth communication between devices.

The platform supports architectures ranging from minimal setups on Raspberry Pi to industrial-scale facilities managing hundreds of thousands of miners.

According to Ardoino, the decision to make the Bitcoin Mining Operating System open-source aims to level the playing field between small and large operators. Tether’s CEO stated on X:

“A horde of new Bitcoin mining companies will be able to enter the game and compete to keep the network safe.”

Future developments

Tether’s team is currently working on documentation, user guides, and preparing repositories for community access. The Bitcoin Mining Operating System release is scheduled for Q4 2025.

Future plans include integrating artificial intelligence tools to enhance production analysis and performance monitoring using data generated by the operating system.

Tether’s expansion strategy

In recent years, Tether has diversified beyond stablecoins, expanding into sectors such as artificial intelligence, Bitcoin mining, and education. By mid-2025, the company had invested approximately $2 billion in Bitcoin mining and energy-related activities.

During his speeches at Bitcoin Conference 2025 in Las Vegas, Ardoino revealed the company’s ambitions:

“I think that it’s very realistic that by the end of the year, Tether will be the biggest Bitcoin miner in the world, even including all the public companies.”

The post Tether to release Its Bitcoin Mining Operating System for free appeared first on Atlas21.

@ 2e8970de:63345c7a

Sex was the main determinant of whether you survived, but class was a factor; 16% of third-class men made it, compared to 32% of first-class men (although second-class men did worst of all). In contrast 97% of first-class women lived.

https://www.edwest.co.uk/p/the-sexual-revolutions-titanic-winners

https://stacker.news/items/1004837

@ 2cde0e02:180a96b9

watercolors;

https://stacker.news/items/1004775

@ b1ddb4d7:471244e7

When Sergei talks about bitcoin, he doesn’t sound like someone chasing profits or followers. He sounds like someone about to build a monastery in the ruins.

While the mainstream world chases headlines and hype, Sergei shows up in local meetups from Sacramento to Cleveland, mentors curious minds, and shares what he knows is true – hoping that, with the right spark, someone will light their own way forward.

We interviewed Sergei to trace his steps: where he started, what keeps him going, and why teaching bitcoin is far more than explaining how to set up a node – it’s about reaching the right minds before the noise consumes them. So we began where most journeys start: at the beginning.

First Steps

• So, where did it all begin for you and what made you stay curious?

I first heard about bitcoin from a friend’s book recommendation, American Kingpin, the book about Silk Road (online drug marketplace). He is still not a true bitcoiner, although I helped him secure private keys with some bitcoin.

I was really busy at the time – focused on my school curriculum, running a 7-bedroom Airbnb, and working for a standardized test prep company. Bitcoin seemed too technical for me to explore, and the pace of my work left no time for it.

After graduating, while pursuing more training, I started playing around with stocks and maximizing my savings. Passive income seemed like the path to early retirement, as per the promise of the FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early). I mostly followed the mainstream news and my mentor’s advice – he liked preferred stocks at the time.

I had some Coinbase IOUs and remember sending bitcoin within the Coinbase ledger to a couple friends. I also recall the 2018 crash; I actually saw the legendary price spike live but couldn’t benefit because my funds were stuck amidst the frenzy. I withdrew from that investment completely for some time. Thankfully, my mentor advised to keep en eye on bitcoin.

Around late 2019, I started DCA-ing cautiously. Additionally, my friend and I were discussing famous billionaires, and how there was no curriculum for becoming a billionaire. So, I typed “billionaires” into my podcast app, and landed on We Study Billionaires podcast.

That’s where I kept hearing Preston Pysh mention bitcoin, before splitting into his own podcast series, Bitcoin Fundamentals. I didn’t understand most of the terminology of stocks, bonds, etc, yet I kept listening and trying to absorb it thru repetition. Today, I realize all that financial talk was mostly noise.

When people ask me for a technical explanation of fiat, I say: it’s all made up, just like the fiat price of bitcoin! Starting in 2020, during the so-called pandemic, I dove deeper. I religiously read Bitcoin Magazine, scrolled thru Bitcoin Twitter, and joined Simply Bitcoin Telegram group back when DarthCoin was an admin.

DarthCoin was my favorite bitcoiner – experienced, knowledgeable, and unapologetic. Watching him shift from rage to kindness, from passion to despair, gave me a glimpse at what a true educator’s journey would look like.

The struggle isn’t about adoption at scale anymore. It’s about reaching the few who are willing to study, take risks, and stay out of fiat traps. The vast majority won’t follow that example – not yet at least… if I start telling others the requirements for true freedom and prosperity, they would certainly say “Hell no!”

• At what point did you start teaching others, and why?

After college, I helped teach at a standardized test preparation company, and mentored some students one-on-one. I even tried working at a kindergarten briefly, but left quickly; Babysitting is not teaching.

What I discovered is that those who will succeed don’t really need my help – they would succeed with or without me, because they already have the inner drive.

Once you realize your people are perishing for lack of knowledge, the only rational thing to do is help raise their level of knowledge and understanding. That’s the Great Work.

I sometimes imagine myself as a political prisoner. If that were to happen, I’d probably start teaching fellow prisoners, doctors, janitors, even guards. In a way we already live in an open-air prison, So what else is there to do but teach, organize, and conspire to dismantle the Matrix?

Building on Bitcoin

• You hosted some in-person meetups in Sacramento. What did you learn from those?

My first presentation was on MultiSig storage with SeedSigner, and submarine swaps through Boltz.exchange.

I realized quickly that I had overestimated the group’s technical background. Even the meetup organizer, a financial advisor, asked, “How is anyone supposed to follow these steps?” I responded that reading was required… He decided that Unchained is an easier way.

At a crypto meetup, I gave a much simpler talk, outlining how bitcoin will save the world, based on a DarthCoin’s guide. Only one person stuck around to ask questions – a man who seemed a little out there, and did not really seem to get the message beyond the strength of cryptographic security of bitcoin.

Again, I overestimated the audience’s readiness. That forced me to rethink my strategy. People are extremely early and reluctant to study.

• Now in Ohio, you hold sessions via the Orange Pill App. What’s changed?

My new motto is: educate the educators. The corollary is: don’t orange-pill stupid normies (as DarthCoin puts it).

I’ve shifted to small, technical sessions in order to raise a few solid guardians of this esoteric knowledge who really get it and can carry it forward.

The youngest attendee at one of my sessions is a newborn baby – he mostly sleeps, but maybe he still absorbs some of the educational vibes.

• How do local groups like Sactown and Cleveland Bitcoiners influence your work?

Every meetup reflects its local culture. Sacramento and Bay Area Bitcoiners, for example, do camping trips – once we camped through a desert storm, shielding our burgers from sand while others went to shoot guns.

Cleveland Bitcoiners are different. They amass large gatherings. They recently threw a 100k party. They do a bit more community outreach. Some are curious about the esoteric topics such as jurisdiction, spirituality, and healthful living.

I have no permanent allegiance to any state, race, or group. I go where I can teach and learn. I anticipate that in my next phase, I’ll meet Bitcoiners so advanced that I’ll have to give up my fiat job and focus full-time on serious projects where real health and wealth are on the line.

Hopefully, I’ll be ready. I believe the universe always challenges you exactly to your limit – no less, no more.

• What do people struggle with the most when it comes to technical education?

The biggest struggle isn’t technical – it’s a lack of deep curiosity. People ask “how” and “what” – how do I set up a node, what should one do with the lightning channels? But very few ask “why?”

Why does on-chain bitcoin not contribute to the circular economy? Why is it essential to run Lightning? Why did humanity fall into mental enslavement in the first place?

I’d rather teach two-year-olds who constantly ask “why” than adults who ask how to flip a profit. What worries me most is that most two-year-olds will grow up asking state-funded AI bots for answers and live according to its recommendations.

• One Cleveland Bitcoiner shows up at gold bug meetups. How valuable is face-to-face education?

I don’t think the older generation is going to reverse the current human condition. Most of them have been under mind control for too long, and they just don’t have the attention span to study and change their ways.

They’re better off stacking gold and helping fund their grandkids’ education. If I were to focus on a demographic, I’d go for teenagers – high school age – because by college, the indoctrination is usually too strong, and they’re chasing fiat mastery.

As for the gold bug meetup? Perhaps one day I will show up with a ukulele to sing some bitcoin-themed songs. Seniors love such entertainment.

• How do you choose what to focus on in your sessions, especially for different types of learners?

I don’t come in with a rigid agenda. I’ve collected a massive library of resources over the years and never stopped reading. My browser tab and folder count are exploding.

At the meetup, people share questions or topics they’re curious about, then I take that home, do my homework, and bring back a session based on those themes. I give them the key takeaways, plus where to dive deeper.

Most people won’t – or can’t – study the way I do, and I expect attendees to put in the work. I suspect that it’s more important to reach those who want to learn but don’t know how, the so-called nescient (not knowing), rather than the ignorant.

There are way too many ignorant bitcoiners, so my mission is to find those who are curious what’s beyond the facade of fake reality and superficial promises.

That naturally means that fewer people show up, and that’s fine. I’m not here for the crowds; I’m here to educate the educators. One bitcoiner who came decided to branch off into self-custody sessions and that’s awesome. Personally, I’m much more focused on Lightning.

I want to see broader adoption of tools like auth, sign-message, NWC, and LSPs. Next month, I’m going deep into eCash solutions, because let’s face it – most newcomers won’t be able to afford their own UTXO or open a lightning channel; additionally, it has to be fun and easy for them to transact sats, otherwise they won’t do it. Additionally, they’ll need to rely on

@ 90c656ff:9383fd4e

When 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:

• Liquidity refers to the ease with which an asset can be converted into “money” without losing value.

• 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!

@ 8d34bd24:414be32b

So often Christians focus on God’s love and ignore His judgment. They tell people they need to be saved, but leave out from what they need to be saved. Fifty or a hundred years ago, almost every American knew the basics of the Bible, what sin is, what the judgment of Hell is, and that the God of the Bible is our Creator. Today, most people in America and the world know very little of that. Phrases like, “Trust Jesus and be saved,” mean very little. The person you are talking to may be silently thinking, “Who is Jesus? Why should I trust Him? What do I need to be saved from?”

Most Christians, especially from Evangelical circles, have been steeped in the phrase “Be saved,” but how many have thought carefully about from what they are being saved? If we have trouble answering, “from what?”, how can we explain it to those who don’t know Jesus?

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. (Romans 5:8-11) {emphasis mine}

Primarily we are saved “from the wrath of God.” We are also reconciled which saves us from separation from God.

We are also told that we are rescued [saved] “from the wrath to come.”

And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10) {emphasis mine}

Then one might ask, “What right does God have to tell me what to do and to get mad at me?”

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:1-5) {emphasis mine}

Why does God get to set the rules? Because He made all things. The Creator gets to set the rules for His creation. It isn’t just ‘might makes right,’ but the one who spoke everything into being gets to set the rules for His creatures just like He set the rules for how everything in the universe works.

Many might claim, “but surely God can’t expect us to be perfect? Nobody is perfect.”

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16) {emphasis mine}

Jesus doesn’t expect more than He has given. He went through every temptation we have experienced, including trials and hardships we can’t imagine, and yet was without even one sin. He is the perfect example of what we should be. Even more amazingly, he understands that we are unable to live up to His standard, so He came to earth, suffered, died, and rose again, so we could be reconciled to Him. All we have to do is repent of our sins, trust Him, and submit to Him. How can we not put our faith in Him after all He did for us?

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Jesus paid the penalty. He took our sins, so we can receive His righteousness. This is a trade everyone should be willing to make, but sadly most refuse — some willfully, but some because they haven’t heard the good news. Hopefully all Christians will faithfully share the gospel with those around them.

May the perfect Savior guide us in His perfect will and help us to rightfully share the gospel with all those around us.

Trust Jesus

@ b6dcdddf:dfee5ee7

Bitcoiners around the world are helping to build a safe, permanent home for 50+ orphans in Bugiri, Uganda 🇺🇬—complete with dorms, classrooms, gardens, and Bitcoin education.

Project by @orphansofuganda

https://geyser.fund/project/buildingabitcoinfundedorphanagehomeinuganda

https://stacker.news/items/1002532

@ d57360cb:4fe7d935

Often we engage in endeavors to achieve something. What is it we want to achieve? People usually want status, money, freedom, sex and better stuff. What lies behind the chase of all these things is pleasure. We’re addicted to it. We’re living in a world of pleasure junkies. The problem is pleasure doesn’t last.

We end up needing more and more of it. In this world we run as far away from discomfort as possible. We turn everything into a vehicle to satisfy this urge. When it doesn’t we leave one thing behind for another. Losing the very essence of the activities we engage in.

We think these things will bring us lasting pleasure and satisfaction, but we’re never there to experience them in the first place. A mind that no longer see’s activity, people, and pursuits as a means to pleasure is a free mind. One that doesn’t grasp at how much they’re improving or what they can gain has a pure experience of the actions it engages in.

It’s only this mind that can taste what you thought you wanted from chasing pleasure.

@ df478568:2a951e67

How To Mine Your Own Vanity Nostr Key

note. This article works best on https://habla.news/u/marc@primal.net/how-to-mine-a-nostr-vanity-key-with-rana

Rana is a vanity npub generator.

I'll show you how to use it on Ubuntu.

If you're not Linux ninja and use Windows instead of Linux ninja weapons, you can still use Linux with Virtualbox, free ans open source virtualization software. Head over to

https://www.virtualbox.org/ to learn more. They also have an enterprise business if you need that sort of thing, you can learn more at https://shop.oracle.com/

Rana is a nostr vanity key mining program. The source code can be found here.

Rana Is On GitHub

https://github.com/grunch/rana

Since rana already has pretty good docs, I decided to make a video instead of write about this because It's easier to see rana in action than it is to write about Rana. I went off on some tangents, so I might edit this down later, but I hope it helps you mine your own nostr key.

nevent1qqsfk7a000m8zc3ptsuu4vytepqc9eedceclpt2ns9pzlech5cpaflceng5al

Show Notes

https://github.com/grunch/rana

https://virtualbox.org/

https://doc.rust-lang.org/cargo/getting-started/installation.html

cargo run --release -- --vanity-n-prefix=juxtap0se

☮️

nostr:npub1marc26z8nh3xkj5rcx7ufkatvx6ueqhp5vfw9v5teq26z254renshtf3g0

900,969

@ 472f440f:5669301e

Marty's Bent

via me

"The man in the coma" has been a long-running archetype of a bitcoiner on TFTC and Rabbit Hole Recap. Over the years, we've referenced the man in the coma in regards to bitcoin being a backward compatible distributed network that would enable an individual, in the case of our example - a man who fell into a coma, to be able to wake up many years, even decades, after falling into a deep sleep, go back to his bitcoin node and be able to participate in the network and validate his own transactions as if the network was operating the same it was the day he slipped into a coma. As a distributed network, this is one of bitcoin's greatest value props; consistency for the individual running it, no matter the version.

Having spent 12 years engrossed in bitcoin, thinking about it every day, building a media company focused on educating people about the network and the monetary revolution it enables, why it's important and how they can use it. Becoming a managing partner at Ten31, which is dedicated to investing in companies building out infrastructure that makes bitcoin more accessible and easier to use; "the man in the coma" has become a more prominent archetype in my mind.

"The man in the coma" archetype can be described in other ways. For instance, there was an individual by the name of John Doe, who joined myself and Matt Odell on TFTC about seven years ago who went to jail for four years. He was distributing certain goods on the Silk Road for many years and got nabbed by the police while throwing a house party. Unfortunately for Mr. Doe, the goods he were selling via the Silk Road were in the house hosting the party that got busted. Fortunately for Mr. Doe, the police who nabbed him were not privy to the way in which he was marketing and selling the goods. He went to jail for four years, walked out at the end of his sentence, found his bitcoin wallets, recovered them and was more than pleasantly surprised at the magnitude of his wealth.

The forced hodl that was incited by the state throwing him in a cage wound up paying off after four years. Now, I can certainly admit that time is the most scarce asset in the world. Being put in a cage for four years or falling into a coma for a number of years is not ideal. However, there are lessons to be gleaned from the successes that have been realized by "the man in the coma" and the man who was forced to hodl by being thrown in a cage. Unable to access his bitcoin during that period of time to make less than wise decisions.

The main lesson to be gleaned is that doing nothing is oftentimes significantly more optimal than doing something. Too many bitcoiners decide to make rash decisions influenced by the day-to-day happenings on social media or some one-off comment from someone in their personal life that they respect. These comments can be about the long-term viability of bitcoin itself, some prognostications about where the price is going in a short-term to medium-term time frame or simply the social aspects of being associated with bitcoin. All of these factors play into influencing certain individuals deciding to sell their bitcoin in the hopes of buying it back lower, realizing something material in their day-to-day life or jumping off a ship that they've been convinced is about to sink.

In my mind, the only thing listed above that makes a bit of sense to me is realizing something material in your day-to-day life. Selling some bitcoin to purchase something that makes your life better like enabling you to support your family at a critical time and in a way that would not be possible unless you sold bitcoin. That makes sense to me. However, the other two are completely nonsensical. Bitcoin's success is binary. It either succeeds or it doesn't. And if you accept that this is true, success means slowly but surely becoming the global reserve currency and monetary network used by billions of humans on the planet or it goes to zero.

If the former materializes, that means that billions of people are going to be competing for 21 million Bitcoin. There are, by some estimates, $900 trillion worth of assets that are being used to store wealth over the short, medium, and long term. Bitcoin has the potential to subsume a material percentage of that $900 trillion. In my mind, if bitcoin is as good as I believe it is, it should take at least half of that market, if not 80 to 90%. This in and of itself is a gamble. No one can be certain that this will come true. And with that in mind you have to make a probabilistic bet by surveying the world and discerning what the likelihood of bitcoin's ultimate success is.

If you think governments, central banks, and large corporations are going to continue down the path of unfettered expansion of the monetary base, debt, and misallocation of capital, bitcoin, a peer-to-peer distributed cash system that cannot be controlled by any individual. corporation, country, or central bank makes a lot of sense. The debasement, the debt expansion, and the misallocation of capital are driven by fallible humans working in incentive structures that are vulnerable to the fallible nature of the humans working within them.

Human fallibility brings with it the ability to talk oneself out of a position that one knows makes sense and is logical. This is the disadvantage that those who are not "the man in the coma" or "the man in a cage" operate from. Being forced to hodl bitcoin is already and will increasingly be seen as a relative advantage. Many who are in bitcoin today, paying attention to every headline, every pull request and every doubt flung their way will likely get to 2030 and agree that they made worse decisions than the man who was thrown in a cage or who slipped into a coma.

Of course, this isn't a fair introspective conclusion. The man in the coma and the man who was forced to hodl because he was put in a jail cell did not have a decision at the end of the day. Both were forced to hodl due to external or internal forces that, all else being equal, they would prefer not have had to endure. However, the outcome of these two situations will likely be better than the outcome of "the man in the arena" who thinks that by making decisions on the go as a slew of information comes his way on a day-to-day basis will materialize in a larger stack of satoshis.

The reality of the situation is such that no one truly knows where bitcoin is going to go on a day-to-day, month-to-month, or year-to-year basis. Especially at this point with large institutions, nation-states, corporations, and individual states getting into the fray. The only tried-and-true strategy within bitcoin over the long term is to stay humble, stack sats, and hodl like you are "the man in the coma" or the man who was thrown in a cage.

Bitcoin's Volatility Won't End With Institutional Adoption

Leon Wankum challenged the popular "supercycle" narrative during our conversation, arguing that Bitcoin's volatility isn't going away despite massive institutional adoption. While acknowledging that MicroStrategy now holds over 2% of all Bitcoin and won't sell, Leon maintains that leverage will still need to be washed out. He expects another 60% drawdown at the end of this bull cycle, viewing this as a feature rather than a bug of Bitcoin's design.

"Bitcoin naturally washes out leverage, it builds resilience and we don't go through these crazy boom and bust cycles, we go through bull and bear markets and I think that's a net positive." - Leon Wankum

Leon sees Bitcoin's volatility as fundamentally different from fiat's destructive boom-bust cycles. Where traditional markets require central bank intervention to prop up failing systems, Bitcoin's regular corrections create genuine resilience. Bad actors will always enter during euphoric phases, and the subsequent washouts ensure only strong hands remain. This natural selection process, he argues, is beautiful - it's what makes Bitcoin antifragile.

Check out the full podcast here for more on real estate opportunity costs, Bitcoin bonds, and treasury company risks.

---

Headlines of the Day

Romania Adds Crypto Terminals to Post Offices - via X

Musk Claims Trump in Epstein Files - via X

Uber CEO Calls Bitcoin Proven Store of Value - via X

Get our new STACK SATS hat - via tftcmerch.io

---

Take the First Step Off the Exchange

Bitkey is an easy, secure way to move your Bitcoin into self-custody. With simple setup and built-in recovery, it’s the perfect starting point for getting your coins off centralized platforms and into cold storage—no complexity, no middlemen.

Take control. Start with Bitkey.

Use the promo code “TFTC20” during checkout for 20% off

---

Ten31, the largest bitcoin-focused investor, has deployed $150.00M 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.

---

Final thought...

The kids really do grow up faster than you expect.

---

Get this newsletter sent to your inbox daily: https://www.tftc.io/bitcoin-brief/

Subscribe to our YouTube channels and follow us on Nostr and X:

@ 3eab247c:1d80aeed

Global 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:

• Become a Shadowy Supertagger and help maintain your local area or pitch-in with the never-ending global effort.

• Consider a zapping this note or make a donation to the to the project here.

@ 9fce3aea:0f9087e6

Hi all,

Thought I'd put together some info here for those who want to come play in our next Rigly / Upendo #BlockParty on June 21.

The prep for this one is a little different, which is why I'm here. Usually, we have hashrate auctions and direct buys up on the site for all plebs. Right now, we don't since we're fixing up the auction experience. It will come back totally anon so you can participate without having to create an account, which is awesome.

For now, the block party is only open to solo miners. Why hook up to our pool prior to the party, you ask? Because if your ASIC (or Bitaxe, or Apollo, or Braiins Mini Miner etc) finds a block, you get 1 BTC and the rest is divvied up by hashrate contributed.

We currently have 80 workers in the pool, check it out: https://solostats.ckpool.org/users/3Gk1GfP3bHA6M2ZzK5mHdqbWN1iNsqAenH

I'd love to get the "Alliance" up to 100 solo miners by Monday, just for funsies, and because I think we can. Each new block party proves to me how fired up everyone is to try and solo mine as a group and stick it to "the man," you know, if that man is MARA, Foundry, AntPool, etc. I just have one question: "Why not us!?" No reason. So LFG!

Here's how to do things:

1. Here's how to hook up your ASIC, or whatever solo mining machine you've got:

Stratum address: solo.ckpool.org:3333 Username: 3Gk1GfP3bHA6M2ZzK5mHdqbWN1iNsqAenH Put your BTC payout address as the workername (important!)

If we mine a block during the party, you will get your share of the reward based on hashrate contribution.

Outside of the party, the miner who finds the block gets 1 BTC and everyone else gets a share of the reward based on hashrate contribution. (Source: https://upendo.rigly.io/learn/upendo)

1. I posted this yesterday on our Rigly Nostr account. What's key here is this is simply a workaround for hashrate purchases. You don't even have to buy from us at Rigly; this will help you send your hashrate to our pool. (We're doing this because we took direct buys down while the devs work on some new things). Whether you buy hashrate on the main Rigly site or elsewhere, here's how to do it:

You can buy hashrate on the main Rigly site (https://rigly.io/direct-sale) and point it to the (Alliance) CKPool address we use.

You can also buy hashrate from anywhere you like and send to our shared escrow address.

Our mining pool info is the same as it is for the #BlockParty:

🟧 Pool Account Username: 3Gk1GfP3bHA6M2ZzK5mHdqbWN1iNsqAenH 🟧 If we find a block, your Rigly order number will be matched to your username!

If you’re buying on Rigly and sending to the Alliance/CKPool address, set this before you buy the hashrate:

Step 1 on Rigly.io: Go to "view my account" Step 2: Go to "hashrate" in left menu Step 3: put your BTC address into the mining pool username Step 4: add mining pool address

(Helpful pic of this in our Nostr post: https://primal.net/e/nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzqh4nl2ld8qq00kxzxlh5khzk7k82zmjf07k5pn7awska6u66qv7dqqs8sk6pxl00ut4t4zhz2y3jc8e4rzakyehfjk9fz6wdw7qm8xq8j6gdffsjy).

Don't forget to add your BTC address after the period in the mining pool username! That lets us know how much hashrate you are contributing and where to pay you out if/when we find a block. 🟧

When you buy hashrate from Rigly for the Solo Alliance, enter the escrow address as username: 3Gk1GfP3bHA6M2ZzK5mHdqbWN1iNsqAenH

This is the kind of stuff we chat about in our galaxy brain Telegram group. Join for tech support and other shenanigans: https://t.me/+AEvub_E_9hNiYzAx

If this is too much, don't worry, auctions and direct buys will return soon. We're just happy to provide a hashrate workaround so we can grow the party, even as we build. 💪

https://stacker.news/items/1004754

@ 69eea734:4ae31ae6

Vor ein paar Tagen stieß ich auf einen faszinierenden Artikel von Michel Bauwens, Mitbegründer der P2PFoundation, mit Links zu weiteren Texten (zum Beispiel über den Puls der Commons), die ich ebenfalls äußerst interessant fand.

Der Artikel zeigt unter anderem, wie unterschiedlich Commons aussehen können, so dass ich ihn heute als Ausgangspunkt nehmen möchte, um ein paar Puzzle-Steine in mein entstehendes Bild der Commons einzufügen.

Das Grundmuster menschlichen Zusammenlebens?

Bauwens betrachtet die Commons aus historischer Sicht, wie sie sich in verschiedenen Zeiten unterschiedlich manifestieren, manchmal gar nahezu verschwinden und heute in wiederum veränderter Form neu entstehen – und plädiert dafür, dass sie noch weit stärker werden sollten.

Er legt zunächst dar, was die Commons sind und was nicht. (zum Beispiel nichts, was vom Staat verwaltet wird, wie ein öffentlicher Park.) Ausschlaggebend ist, dass eine Ressource von ihren Herstellern oder Benutzern selbst betreut wird. Commons entstehen dabei durch Beziehungen. Sie sind etwas spezifisch Menschliches und eine Wahl, die „fast immer“ zur Verfügung steht, so Bauwens. Eine die Geschichte überdauernde menschliche Praxis.

Er nennt drei verschiedene geschichtlichen Entwicklungen:

• Eine lineare - Wie präsentiert sich der Commons über verschiedene, komplexer werdende, Phasen der Menschheitsgeschichte hinweg?
• Eine hin und her schwingendende: In der Geschichte einer Zivilisation werden die Commons in Zeiten von Überfluss -- und daraus resultierender Verschwendung uns steigender Ressourcen-Extraktion -- unterdrückt, konstitutieren sich aber dann als Gegenbewegung wieder neu.
• Eine stufenweise: Die heutigen, mit neuen Möglichkeiten ausgestatteten Formen der Commons könnten in der nächsten Phase unserer Zivilisation (oder nach unserer Zivilisation) eine entscheidende Rolle spielen.

Wenn man verschiedene Arten des Austausches betrachtet (Bauwens beruft sich hierbei auf Alan Fiske), kann man geschichtlich analysieren, welche zu verschiedenen Zeiten vorrangig waren (dies tat Kojin Karatani in The Structure of World History von 2014).

Die vier Muster sind:

• Gemeinschaftliche Beteiligung, Commons (die Gemeinschaft baut mir ein Haus, und ich helfe später bei einem anderen Hausbau mit; ein Beispiel aus neuerer Zeit ist die Entwicklung von Linux)
• Wechselseitiger Austausch (Geschenkökonomie – es wird eine etwa gleichwertige Leistung zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt erwartet)
• Hierarchisch bedingte Verteilung, wie im Feudalismus
• Marktwirtschaft (es gibt ein allgemeines Zahlungsmittel mit einem bestimmten Wert)

Bauwens: „Entscheidend ist jedoch, dass die Menschheit ständig bestrebt ist, Modus A wiederherzustellen, denn die Menschen haben eine kulturelle und wahrscheinlich auch allgemeine Vorliebe für ein geselliges Leben in kleinen, vertrauten Gruppen. Aber menschliche Gruppen versuchen, dies auch auf höheren Komplexitätsebenen zu tun, in einem ständigen Versuch, die extraktive Logik der Zivilisation zu mäßigen.“ (Katarani bezeichnet eine Verbindung von Commoning und Geschenkökonomie in stammesorientierten Kulturen als Modus A)

Commons durch die Zeiten

In der ursprünglichsten Form der Commons in Jäger- und Sammler-Gemeinschaften, werden Nahrung und sonstige Ressourcen mit der ganzen Gemeinschaft geteilt - dies ist zumindest die vorherrschende Form des Austauschs.

Im Zuge der Agrar-Revolution geht es um das gemeinsame Bewirtschaften von Flächen.

Im Mittelalter entwickelt sich in Europa das Feudalsystem. Auch hier werden manche Felder aber noch von den Dorfbewohnern gemeinsam verwaltet.

Ab dem 16. Jahrhundert fanden, am stärksten in England, die Enclosures (auf deutsch Einhegungen) statt. Das heißt, dass Felder zur effizienteren Bewirtschaftung von den Besitzern zusammengelegt und umzäunt wurden.

Besonders im 19. Jahrhundert, mit dem Aufkommen der Industrialisierung, nahm diese Entwicklung immer stärker zu. Die landwirtschaftlichen Commons wurden dadurch weitgehend zerstört.

Im industriellen Kapitalismus, als die Arbeiter kaum Rechte hatten, und es auch um das bloße Überleben ging, entwickelte sich ein sozialer Commons Dieser bestand darin, dass sich die Arbeiter gegenseitig halfen und sich gegenseitig versicherten. Aus dieser Bewegung entstand dann der Sozialstaat. Der Staat übernahm also Aufgaben, die die Menschen zuvor füreinander geleistet hatten.

Man könnte daher sagen, dass im Kapitalismus die natürlichen Commons-Ressourcen privatisiert und die sozialen Commons verstaatlicht wurden.

In der Moderne waren sich viele Menschen der Bedeutung von Commons gar nicht mehr bewusst.

Mit dem Internet, dem World Wide Web und weiteren digitalen Techniken erschlossen sich dann neue Möglichkeiten. Mit Peer Production, Open Source Software, sowie den Creative Commons Lizenzen, enstand eine neue Inkarnation der Commons. Und damit ist die Entwicklung noch nicht abgeschlossen...

Warum Commons nicht in ein Links-Rechts-Schema passen

Mit seinem Streifzug durch die Geschichte zeigt Bauwens, wie vielfältig die Commons sein können, und warum ihnen in der heutigen Zeit eine starke Rolle zukommen sollte. Nebenbei ergibt sich für mich auch, dass sie jenseits von linker oder rechter Ideologie liegen. Hierzu eine kurze Zwischenbetrachtung von mir:

Weil es um kollektives Handeln geht, und auch wegen des Namens („hört sich an wie Kommunismus“, meinte meine Mutter), entsteht leicht der Eindruck, es handele sich um ein besonders linksgerichtetes Phänomen.

Eine gut eingespielte Fußballmannschaft agiert auch als Kollektiv. Der Verein verwaltet vielleicht ein Clubhaus. Wohl kaum jemand würde deswegen den Verein als links bezeichnen.

Freilich sind die Mitglieder heutiger Commons-Bewegungen vorwiegend „progressiv“, zuweilen auf eine rigide Weise. Bauwens hat damit schon eine leidvolle Erfahrung gemacht. Aber Commons als soziales System sind es nicht. Dafür spricht allein schon die Tatsache, dass es sie viel länger gibt als die politische Links-Rechts-Einteilung.

Eine starke Rolle für die Commons

Wie steht es um die Commons heute? Das werde ich in weiteren Artikeln noch versuchen zu beleuchten...

Michel Bauwens hat in seinen Artikeln noch Einiges dazu sagen. Inbesondere beführwortet er das Kosmo-Lokale (Cosmo-Local). Was leicht ist (Wissen) wird geteilt, was Gewicht hat (etwa landwirtschaftliche und andere Produktion), wird an lokale Gegebenheiten angepasst und vor Ort bewerkstelligt.

Und das Zusammenspiel von Digitalem und Materiellem verspricht weitere Möglichkeiten.

In jedem Fall haben die Commons eine ausgleichende, regenerierende Kraft, die wir aufgrund der heutigen vielen Kriesen gar nicht ungenützt lassen können, ganz unabhängig von unserer sozialer Ebene - das gilt auch für die Superreichen.

@ dab6c606:51f507b6

I've been interested for a while in how the business with miles and loyalty points works. I found out that only large corporations can partially do this because of how they can then account for it. And it's tax-wise super advantageous. I also added info about loyalty points and gift cards. The text below was written by various AIs as I was digging into it, it's basically a summary, sharing for those who are interested.

Part I: Loyalty Programs of Large Corporations

Business Logic of Loyalty Programs

Loyalty programs of airlines and hotels are sophisticated business tools that serve several key purposes. They primarily function to increase customer loyalty by creating "switching costs" - customers don't want to lose accumulated points, which reduces the likelihood they'll switch to competitors.

At the same time, they're a significant source of additional revenue. For example, American Airlines earns more from selling miles to banks than on some flight routes. When Citibank buys miles for 1-2 cents per mile, the airline gets immediate revenue, while the real value for the customer can be 3-5 cents when used correctly.

Accounting Treatment of Loyalty Points

From an accounting perspective, loyalty points represent deferred liabilities. When a customer earns points, the company must create a reserve for their future redemption. Points are valued based on expected costs of their redemption, not on nominal value.

The key difference is between cash accounting and accrual accounting: - Cash accounting: Revenue is recognized when payment is received, expenses when paid. - Accrual accounting: Revenue and expenses are recognized when the obligation arises.

For loyalty programs, accrual accounting is critical. When an airline sells miles to a bank for $1,000,000, it simultaneously creates a liability for future costs (say $600,000), so taxable income is only $400,000.

Example: Selling Miles to a Bank

An airline sells 50 million miles to Citibank for $1,000,000: 1. Immediate revenue: $1,000,000 2. Creation of liability: $600,000 (estimated future costs) 3. Taxable income: $400,000 4. Future costs: When customers use miles, the company recognizes the expense and reduces the liability

Positive margin arises from several factors: - Breakage - 15-20% of miles are never redeemed - Time value of money - Money from the bank is invested immediately - Marginal costs - An empty seat has low incremental cost

Tax Optimization and Offshore Structures

Large companies often use international structures to optimize taxes from loyalty programs. A typical structure includes: 1. Parent company (USA/EU) - Operates flights and provides services (e.g., flights or accommodation). 2. IP Holding (Ireland/Netherlands) - Owns intellectual property (IP) for the loyalty program, such as brands, software, and databases. 3. Loyalty Operating Company (Singapore/Dubai) - Manages sale of miles to banks and partners, coordinates the program and communicates with customers.

Business Relationships and Payments Between Entities (example with positive result for Singapore)

These entities are connected by contracts that determine who pays for what and why, to minimize tax burden: - Bank → Singapore (Loyalty Operating Company): The bank (e.g., Citibank) pays $1,000,000 for miles it offers to its clients as rewards for using credit cards. The Singapore company is the main contact point for partners because it's located in a low-tax jurisdiction (17%) with good infrastructure for financial services. - Singapore → Ireland (IP Holding): The Singapore company pays $500,000 as royalties for using IP (brands, software, and data) of the loyalty program. This payment is high to shift profit to Ireland, where the tax rate is even lower (12.5%). This reduces taxable income in Singapore. - Singapore → Parent Company (Airline): The Singapore company pays $300,000 to the parent company for providing services (e.g., flights) when customers use miles. This payment is lower than actual costs to minimize profit in the parent company's country, where the tax rate is higher (e.g., 25-35% in USA or EU). - Profit in Singapore: $1,000,000 (income from bank) - $500,000 (royalties to Ireland) - $300,000 (payment to airline) = $200,000 profit, taxed at 17% in Singapore.

Why Such Distribution?

• Ireland (IP Holding): High royalty payments ($500,000) go to Ireland because the 12.5% tax rate is attractive and Ireland is considered a "serious" jurisdiction that meets international rules (e.g., BEPS). Ireland also has double taxation treaties with many countries, facilitating profit shifting.
• Singapore (Loyalty Operating Company): Mile sales and program coordination occur in Singapore due to favorable tax environment (17%) and strategic location for Asian markets. A small profit ($200,000) is left here to demonstrate "economic substance" - that the company has real activity.
• Parent Company: The $300,000 payment is low to minimize taxable income in a high-tax country (e.g., USA or EU).

Why Not 0% Tax Jurisdiction?

Why not use a zero-tax country (e.g., Cayman Islands)? Due to: - Regulatory scrutiny - Tax authorities closely monitor 0% jurisdictions and may question legitimacy. - BEPS rules - Need to demonstrate "substance" (real offices, employees) in the country. - Credibility test - 12.5% in Ireland or 17% in Singapore looks like legitimate business operation.

The result of such structure is that most profit (60-70%) is taxed at 12.5% in Ireland or 17% in Singapore instead of 25-35% in the airline's home country.

Part II: Loyalty Programs and Alternatives for Small Businesses

Why Loyalty Programs Are Problematic for Small Businesses

Unlike large corporations, small businesses like cafes face a fundamental problem with loyalty programs: cash accounting obligation. In many countries, small firms (under $25M annually) must use cash accounting, which means: - Revenue from selling points is taxed immediately - Costs are deducted only when customers use points (maybe a year later) - Creates tax and cashflow problem - tax is paid on money you'll "lose" in the future

Imagine a cafe that sells loyalty points for €100. It must immediately pay tax (say €21), but deducts coffee costs provided for points only in the future.

Alternative Models for Small Businesses

There are more tax-advantageous alternatives:

1. Gift Cards Model

• Revenue is NOT RECOGNIZED when selling gift card
• Revenue is recognized only when customer uses the card
• Example: Sell gift cards for €10,000 in December, get cash immediately, but pay tax gradually as customers use cards during the following year.
• Time value of money: Money can be invested (e.g., 6% annually = €600 extra profit on €10,000)
• Breakage benefit: 2-10% of cards are never used, after certain time (3-5 years, depending on legislation) you can recognize the balance as pure profit.

Example: Starbucks Starbucks had $1.5 billion in unused gift cards on its books in 2022. Estimated 3% breakage means $45 million pure profit – interest-free loan from customers with bonus that part never returns.

2. Subscription Model

• Monthly revenue = immediate taxation
• Monthly costs = immediate deduction
• Example: €10/month for "premium membership" with certain benefits

3. Discount Coupons

• No revenue when issuing coupon
• Reduced revenue when redeeming (sell at lower price)
• Example: 20% discount coupon = sell coffee for €4 instead of €5

Outsourcing Loyalty Program: Details About Shopify Loyalty

Platforms like Shopify Loyalty represent an elegant solution for small businesses wanting to offer loyalty programs without accounting and tax complications. Let's break this down in detail:

How Shopify Loyalty Works

• Shopify as third party: Shopify owns and manages the entire loyalty program including points and software. The customer has their "account" directly with Shopify, not with the specific store. This means points are not your liability, but Shopify's liability.
• Your role: You (e.g., cafe) pay Shopify a monthly fee (e.g., €29) for using the platform and a small transaction fee (e.g., €0.20) for each point redemption (reward). You're essentially a "service provider" for Shopify – you provide rewards when Shopify sends you an order.
• Earning points: Customer earns points for purchases in stores participating in Shopify Loyalty program. For example, if customer buys coffee for €5 in your cafe, Shopify credits them points (e.g., 5 points per euro, so 25 points). Specific rules (how many points per euro) are set by you through Shopify platform, but technically points are managed by Shopify.
• Using points: Customer can use points for rewards (e.g., free coffee for 100 points), but usually only in stores participating in Shopify network. This means if your cafe uses Shopify Loyalty, points earned with you can be used with you or other stores in Shopify ecosystem, if Shopify allows it. Usually, however, stores set up the program so points are primarily usable with them, increasing loyalty to their brand.
• Point redemption process: When customer wants to use points (e.g., 100 points for free coffee), Shopify sends order to you (cafe) to provide the reward. You give the coffee but don't receive direct payment from customer – it's a marketing cost. You also pay Shopify transaction fee (€0.20). Accounting-wise, it's not a sale, so no taxable income or receipt obligation arises.
• Accounting treatment: When customer uses points:
• No receipt = no taxable income
• Coffee cost (€2) + Shopify fee (€0.20) = €2.20
• Recorded as "Promotional expenses" or "Marketing costs"

Why Must Loyalty Program Be Outsourced to Third Party (like Shopify)?

Small businesses don't have capacity or resources to manage their own loyalty program "in-house" for these reasons: - Tax and accounting complexity: If you managed loyalty program yourself, you'd have to create reserves for future liabilities (points customers will use later), estimate breakage rate (percentage of unused points) and handle cash vs. accrual accounting. For small firms that often must use cash accounting, this means immediate taxation of revenue if selling points, but cost deduction only in the future – creates cashflow mismatch. - Technological infrastructure: Managing points, customer databases and integration with payment systems requires sophisticated software and IT team, which is expensive and complicated for small firms. - Legal separation: When program is managed by third party like Shopify, points are their liability, not yours. For you, this means no future liabilities in your accounting books – just monthly costs (Shopify fee), which are tax-deductible as regular expense. - Economic efficiency: Shopify aggregates thousands of stores, achieving economies of scale – lower costs for software, security and data management. A small cafe could never create such system at reasonable price alone.

Why Can't It Be In-house from Tax Perspective?

If small firm managed loyalty program itself: - Immediate tax problem: If firm sold points (e.g., for money or as part of purchase), revenue would have to be taxed immediately, though costs for providing rewards (e.g., free coffee) could be deducted only when customer uses points. This creates cashflow mismatch because you pay tax before actually "losing" money on reward. - Complex reserves: Would have to estimate how many points will be used and create accounting reserves, which is administratively demanding and requires expensive accountants or software. - Risk of errors: Incorrect breakage rate estimates or poor liability management can lead to tax audits and penalties.

With Shopify, these problems are eliminated – you only pay monthly fee and transaction fees, which are simply recorded as marketing costs. Shopify takes full responsibility for managing points and liabilities to customers.

Case Study: Loyalty Points for Cafe (10 + 1 Free Model)

Let's look at specific case of small cafe offering classic loyalty program type "10 + 1 free". Customer gets 1 point for each coffee purchased (e.g., for €3) and after collecting 10 points gets one free coffee. We'll analyze how this works accounting-wise, whether it's "promotional expense" and what's the difference between in-house management and using Shopify.

How "10 + 1 Free" Program Works

• Earning points: Customer buys coffee for €3 and gets 1 point (e.g., stamp on card or digital record). Points have no monetary value for sale – they're purely reward for purchase.
• Using points: After collecting 10 points (meaning purchases for €30) customer gets free coffee (value €3).
• Real cost for cafe: Cost of producing free coffee is lower than selling price, e.g., €1.50 for materials and labor.

Accounting Treatment (In-house)

If cafe manages program itself (in-house), accounting process depends on whether it uses cash accounting (common for small firms) or accrual accounting: - Cash accounting: - When customer buys coffee: Cafe records €3 revenue for each coffee and issues receipt. Point (stamp) has no monetary value, so it's not recorded as liability or revenue. - When redeeming 10 points: When customer gets free coffee, no revenue arises (€0), but cost for coffee production arises (€1.50). This cost is recorded as "Promotional expense" or "Marketing cost" because it's form of discount or advertising to retain customer. - Tax impact: No revenue when issuing free coffee, €1.50 cost is tax-deductible as regular expense. - Accrual accounting (less common for small firms): - When customer buys coffee: Cafe records €3 revenue but simultaneously creates small liability for future reward (e.g., €0.30 per point, which is estimate of cost for future free coffee divided by 10). So from €3 revenue, taxable income is only €2.70. - When redeeming 10 points: When customer gets free coffee, cafe reduces liability by €3 (10 points x €0.30) and records €1.50 cost for coffee production. Difference can be adjusted as breakage or other profit if estimates differ from reality. - Tax impact: Taxable income is lower already at first purchase, but accounting is more complex due to estimates and reserves.

Is it Promotional Expense? Yes, in both cases (cash and accrual) the cost of free coffee is recorded as "Promotional expense" or "Marketing cost" because it's form of discount to support customer loyalty. It's not considered regular sale because no revenue or receipt arises.

Accounting Treatment (via Shopify Loyalty)

If cafe uses Shopify Loyalty to manage "10 + 1 free" program, process is simpler: - When customer buys coffee: Cafe records €3 revenue for coffee and issues receipt. Shopify credits point to customer's account (it's not your liability, but Shopify's). - When redeeming 10 points: Shopify sends order to issue free coffee. Cafe gives coffee (€1.50 cost) and pays Shopify transaction fee (€0.20). Total cost €1.70 is recorded as "Promotional expense" or "Marketing cost". - Tax impact: Same as in-house, no revenue when issuing free coffee, €1.70 cost is tax-deductible as regular expense. Additionally, you don't have to handle any liabilities or breakage estimates because Shopify manages points.

Difference Between In-house and Shopify

• In-house:
• Advantages: Full control over program, no monthly fees to third party (e.g., €29 Shopify fee).
• Disadvantages: If using accrual accounting, must create reserves and estimate breakage, which is administratively demanding. With cash accounting it's simpler (no liabilities), but if you sold points for money, tax mismatch arises (revenue taxed immediately, cost only later). Additionally, must manage point database yourself (stamps, software), which is time-consuming.
• Shopify Loyalty:
• Advantages: No liabilities in your accounting books, Shopify manages points and technology. Accounting-wise it's simple – just monthly fee (€29) and transaction fees (€0.20) as marketing cost. Don't have to handle estimates or breakage.
• Disadvantages: Pay monthly fees and transaction fees, increasing costs (e.g., €0.20 extra per free coffee). Have less control over program because third party manages it.

Conclusion for Cafe: "10 + 1 free" program is accounting-wise considered Promotional expense in both cases (in-house and Shopify) because free coffee is form of marketing to retain customers. Difference is in administrative burden and costs – Shopify simplifies accounting and management, but at cost of monthly fees. In-house is cheaper but more demanding to manage, especially if you wanted to use accrual accounting or sell points for money.

Conclusion

Loyalty programs are sophisticated customer loyalty tools, but their accounting and tax aspects differ significantly between large and small firms. Large corporations use accrual accounting and international structures for tax optimization, while for small businesses alternative models like gift cards or outsourcing entire program are often more advantageous, eliminating tax and cashflow problems. Gift cards additionally bring immediate cash flow, time value of money and breakage benefit, making them ideal tool for businesses of all sizes. Shopify Loyalty offers small firms way to implement loyalty program without accounting complications because it takes technical and legal responsibility, allowing focus on core business. For simple programs like "10 + 1 free," accounting impact is similar (Promotional expense), but Shopify simplifies management at cost of additional fees.

@ 6a6be47b:3e74e3e1

Hi frens! 🌝

🎨Today I painted a full moon, and it got me thinking about how special June’s full moon is. You might have heard it called the “Strawberry Moon” —but that’s not because of its color! According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, it’s called like that because it's “when the strawberry harvest took place.” 🍓

Fun fact:

“A Moon usually appears reddish when it’s close to the horizon because the light rays must pass through the densest layers of the atmosphere.”


From almanac.com

In Europe, June’s full moon has also been called the “Rose Moon” or even the “Honey Moon,” since it’s the time of the first honey harvest.

According to UK archaeologist and historian Jennifer Wexler in Sky At Night Magazine this year’s Strawberry Moon is extra special because it’s part of a “major lunar standstill,” or lunistice—a rare event that only happens every 18.6 years! During this period, the moon’s path across the sky reaches its most extreme points, making moonrises and moonsets appear unusually far apart. After 2025, we won’t see a standstill like this again until 2043, so this is a once-in-a-generation chance to catch the lowest full moon.

But what is a full moon, anyway?

“A full moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise. The Moon will appear full for a couple of days.”


From science.nasa.gov

Here’s my watercolor painting of the full moon. I love how magical it looks—there’s something mysterious and humbling about it, and it’s just mesmerizing to catch it (almost) every night in the sky.

💭 Were you able to see the Strawberry Moon this year? I’d love to hear about it!

See you soon, frens.

Godspeed! 🌕

https://stacker.news/items/1004621

@ 56e3acda:234e8a3a

In the town of Brimstone, the sounds of grunting fill the empty Stygian Theater. An age-old battle is taking place between the actress Syd and her archenemy: a zipper. She struggles to get the corset-style vest, adorned with multiple single-board computers, to fully close. The zipper holds its ground, unwavering against the “light creamy mountains” in its path. The closer it gets, the higher the mountains rise, making its journey nearly impossible. However, that’s how the costume is designed—to accentuate and enhance Syd’s already large breasts. Great for ratings, horrible for getting ready on time for filming.

"This costume needs a redesign!"

Syd takes a deep breath. She swells her chest, exhales sharply, and yanks the zipper up as fast as she can. It finally clears the hurdle.

“There!”

Two single-board computers that nestle on the chest of the costume spring off, crashing into a collection of books in front of her. Syd shrugs, grabbing the vivid purple wig that has miraculously survived the chaos. She throws it on, tucking away her brunette hair, and completes her transformation into Nerissa, Courtesan of the Uranet and host of Nerissa's Caustic Cinema.

She checks her smartwatch: 1:15 PM. Today’s shoot was supposed to begin at 1.

“Not like Jules to be running late, Guess I’ll do some research.”

She pulls out her phone and opens an old issue of her favorite zine, Dreadistary. The zine focuses on monster sightings in a certain town in the Pacific Northwest, but Syd isn’t interested in those. The real meat for her is the horror movie reviews that fill the rest of the zine. They are a goldmine for finding new movies for the show. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a new issue in over a year.

Syd’s eyes widen as she spots the golden phrase she is looking for:public domain.

“Wait! Bloodfalls Massacre is in the public domain!?”

She grabs the nearest notebook, her pen dances across the page as she jots down the information. The director’s daughter has convinced her dad to put the film in the public domain, sticking it to the production company that has weaseled the rights to Bloodfalls Massacre 2–5 from him. They have even rebooted the franchise, starting with a loose remake of 2, modifying the characters enough to be unshackled by his vision. Syd shakes her head, a smirk playing on her lips.

“Jules and Lou are going to love this!”

The door swings open, startling Syd. She looks up to see Jules standing in the doorway, a stack of papers in hand. Jules has waist-length, damaged black hair that frames her ivory skin, and her loose white vest and shorts reveal faint blue veins that match her piercing eyes. Syd wears a warm smile as she greets her.

“Hey, Jules.”

Jules drops the stack of papers in front of Syd.

“Views are dropping massively. We can barely afford food for the next month.”

She flops onto the floor behind Syd, her body curling into an ‘n’ shape. Syd flips through the stack of papers, her initial skepticism fading as she sees the numbers. The viewership data, spanning from the first episode’s launch in October last year to July 2025, shows a gut-wrenching decline. Thankfully, their reliance on public domain horror movies has stretched their food budget as far as it can go. Jules arches her back dramatically, letting out a scream of agony.

“Enough of this public domain schlock! We need horror with a bite! Something to help punch up our jokes! Anything fulfilling!”

Syd turns to look at her friend, her heart breaks at the sight of Jules’ despair. 

“If we can barely afford food, we can’t afford the rights to any film we please.”

“We could provide clout instead of money.”

The moment the word clout leaves her lips, Jules seems to regret it. The shine in her eyes vanishes, replaced by a hollow look. Syd returns to the stack of papers, hoping to find something—anything—that can help. Her eyes land on a proposal from Degrade, a newly formed TV station that is shaking up the industry. Skimming through the offer, she sees that they want the license for the show, with some on-brand integrations, in exchange for a massive upfront payment and fewer censored edits.

“You thinking of taking the Degrade offer?”

Jules covers her eyes with her hair before loudly voicing her disapproval.

“Please! I’ll never sell out to those crypto dorks.”

“It is a good offer, though.”

“You’ll regret the money when they have you dress up in tighter outfits for NFT photo-shoots.”

Syd’s nose wrinkles, and she recoils as if she’d just smelled something foul. The sight of her disgust sends Jules into a fit of laughter. She pulls more of her hair over her eyes before continuing.

“I kinda was considering it. Caustic Cinema got us control of the Stygian, the life we have in Brimstone. Didn’t want to toss away the money. But I know we’d both hate it too much.”

“Lou might enjoy it."

“That soulless puppy.”

Jules retreats into a fetal position and cutting the conversation short.

Syd adjusts her outfit, trying to make her breasts more comfortable. The movement reminds her that they are supposed to be filming now.

“No filming today?”

“Too depressed,”

Jules flips over to face Syd. A single blue eye peers out from behind her hair, searching for hope in Syd’s next words.

“Unless you found a more recent film?”

Syd hands Jules her notebook.

“Bloodfalls Massacre! That’s in the public domain?!”

Jules hops up to double-check the notes.

“Only the first one,”

“80s, in color, dumb teenagers, predatory adults, a decent amount of kills. Is that the one with an abundance of nudity?”

The franchise plays in Syd’s head as she tries to figure out which one Jules is thinking of. These types of cheesy movies are more her field of expertise than the social horror Jules prefers. After a moment, it clicks.

“That’s Bloodfalls Massacre 4: Valley Fest.”

“So not much to edit around. Not the bite I’m looking for, but…”

Jules trails off, her eyes scanning the notes Syd has written from the Dreadistary article. A small smile creeps onto her face.

“This revelation is prime for material!”

Syd feels a wave of relief. For a moment, she has managed to ease Jules’ worries. Jules pops up from reading, her energy renewed.

“Wait, do we have a copy of Bloodfalls Massacre?”

“Pretty sure I do. Give me a sec to clean up, then I’ll check,”

Syd bends down to gather the scattered papers. As she tries to tidy the mess, her eyes catch some scribbles on the back of the stack. She recognizes Lou’s messy handwriting.

“Did you look at the back of this? Lou left a note.”

We found a bunch of old PC towers. They’re in the building behind the theater. Maybe something you and Syd can salvage for the show?

Jules turns her attention back to the notebook, pulling a pen from her hair and starting to write. Syd gathers the last few scattered books and packs them up neatly. She hops up from the desk, curious about what movies they might find in the PCs. As she leaves, she notices Jules hasn’t budged.

“You’re not coming?”

Jules looks up at her, confusion etched on her face.

“You think the old execs who bummed around here really kept film backups? All you’ll probably find is weird fetish shit!”

“Wouldn’t hurt to check it out,”

Jules shakes her head, returning to her writing. Realizing Jules isn’t going to join her, Syd decides to kill two birds with one stone. She grabs the set of keys from her desk and tosses them at Jules. The jingling of the keys alerts Jules, and she catches them without fail.

“Fine, I’ll go check if there’s something salvageable while you check if I own Bloodfalls Massacre,”

Jules sways her head in approval, finally moving from the floor. They split up, Jules heads through the front of the theater while Syd goes out through one of the old doors marked “Exit.” Deep down, Syd knows Jules is probably right, but the thought of finding undiscovered movies is too irresistible to ignore.

The afternoon sun assaults Syd as soon as she steps outside. Blinking through the brightness, she sees the building is not far from the theater. She quickly jogs over, hoping to avoid the sweat that is already pooling in her suit—another con of the costume: it can't handle the summer heat.

The stench of stale plastic hangs heavy in the air, almost choking Syd as she opens the building door. Inside, sickly yellow PC towers lie scattered across the floor, their tangled wires and dusty casings creating a chilling atmosphere that makes Syd feel uneasy. She hesitates for a moment, feeling the sweat slide down her back, before stepping inside.

Closing the door to keep the heat out, Syd is left in total darkness. She mutters in dissatisfaction as she fumbles along the wall, searching for the light switch. When she finally flips it, only a few bulbs flicker to life, their dim glow barely illuminating the room. Syd’s face goes blank as she watches the bulbs struggle to stay on.

“They couldn’t fix the lights in the building?”

She walks along the makeshift path that has already been cleared, gently kicking aside PCs to give herself more room. The sheer number of them is impressive—stacks of towers form small mounds, their dislodged panels spilling out old wires like entrails. It feels less like a storage room and more like a decrepit technology graveyard.

“This is definitely more than just studio execs’ PCs,”

Syd ducks under a pile that had tipped over and joined with an adjacent stack to form a makeshift arch.

“Probably editors’ and VFX workstations!”

Her mounting excitement gets the better of her when she slips on a loose wire and crashes into a pile of PCs. A wet, congealed substance clings to her arm, and she recoils, whipping the grime off with a grimace. She double-clicks the crown of her watch to activate its flashlight mode, the dim light illuminating a few feet in front of her. It isn’t much, but it will save her from another grime attack.

The path opens up into a more spacious area where the piles of PCs are smaller and scattered. Syd pauses, realizing she doesn’t know what to look for. Obviously, the ones with wires sticking out are no good, but any of the others could be viable. She walks past a small makeshift circle of four PCs surrounding a tower in the center, deliberately ignoring it—until the light reflects something that makes her eyes sparkle.

It isn’t as yellowed as the surrounding PCs, but that isn’t what catches her attention. It is the fading stickers from the popular 80s horror series Pumpkin Patch that make her feel like she’s found a winner. She leaps toward it, kicking over two of the surrounding PCs to make room for her prize. Syd grabs the tower, only to have it slip out of her hands, leaving a slimy residue on her palms. She retches, trying her best not to add to the sickly shroud that already surrounds her. Shaking it off, she takes a deep breath and picks up the PC again. This time, the cooling touch of metal and plastic eases her discomfort. 

It isn’t long before she notices a blue light focused on her watch. Its deep hue completely washes over the dim white light, snaking up her arm and stopping to focus on the single-board computer on her hip. Syd’s blood runs cold as she frantically searches for the source of the light. Her heart races until she spots it near the back exit of the room, almost hidden behind a completely destroyed PC. 

It is different from the others—or what you’d expect a PC to look like. The classic rectangular silhouette is nowhere to be seen. Instead, it is cylindrical, more compact, standing like an ominous shrine of the future amidst the decaying past. The blue light intensifies, illuminating not only Syd but the entire room. A single thought runs through her mind as she shields her eyes from the intense glow:

Why is this one still plugged in?

Opening her eyes, Syd sees that the blue light has stopped. Not only that, but the room is now fully lit as the struggling bulbs have finally started to work. She gets a better look at the strange PC. It no longer has the ominous aura it has before. Instead, it looks like a prop from a science fiction movie, its chrome case warmed by a faint red light that makes it seem almost harmless in the corner of the room.

Syd hesitates for a moment. The strange PC looks like a better treasure trove than the one in her hand, but the memory of the blue light sends shivers down her spine. She decides to leave it alone. Turning quickly, she prepares to leave the storage room. She walks a little more carelessly now that she can see further ahead, but an uneasy feeling begins to swell inside her.

Not only does she feel like she is missing something, but there is an irritating pain in her right hand—a warm, burning sensation that seems to engulf it. She puts down the PC to check for any cuts where grime might seep in, but there are none. As she rubs her hand, she glances at the mess in front of her and the entrance. It is only when she sees the wired entrails of the PCs scattered everywhere that it dawns on her.

Syd turns around and looks back at the chrome PC nestled alone in the corner.

“Wasn’t it behind a broken tower?”

Immediately, something grabs her left hand. She turns to see a hand made of wires, its cold, metallic grip tightening around her wrist. She stares in bewilderment as a force pushes the maze of PCs against the entrance, barricading it. The tremendous force causes one of the three lights to go out. Shards from the towers fly toward the hand, coiling together to complete its humanoid form. Discarded side panels mold together, forming a trench coat around the figure. 

Syd tries to free herself from the figure’s grasp, but the wires are entangled with her watch. The figure flicks its finger, signaling a PC to hurl itself directly at her. The impact knocks the wind out of her, sending her flying free of the humanoid’s grip. She lands a few feet away as the PC continues its trajectory, crashing into the wall with a loud thud. The impact knocks out the second light, leaving only part of the storage room lit. 

Numerous white and red composite ports rush into the figure’s empty sockets, forming eyes—eyes that stare directly at Syd as she writhes in pain. She struggles to catch her breath, panic flooding her body as the dim light makes it harder to see the figure. 

The figure walks slowly toward her, each clatter of its footsteps instilling fear. It holds out its hands, signaling shards of RAM to cobble together into a serrated knife. A harsh voice, lost in digital noise, escapes from the figure:

“We were supposed to rule Hollywood together.”

Syd freezes, her mind racing to make sense of the words. Then, with a surge of adrenaline, she bolts for the back exit next to the strange PC. She only gets a few steps in before wires trip her, sending her crashing to the ground face-first. Stars obscure her vision until the sight of the figure’s mangled face causes them to scatter. 

A horrible smile appears on its wire-filled face. Grime pools between the haphazardly placed USB ports, forming teeth that it wipes away in excitement. It rips one of the single-board computers from Syd’s costume and gently slides it into its chest. The figure quivers as its frame seems to bulk up from the action.

"But then you ran to the first director who looked in your direction."

The figure begins to slide the knife up Syd’s costume, the sound of fabric tearing echoing through the storage room. Syd tries to fight back, but she is helpless, pinned down by the figure. Her left arm is outstretched, held in place by the wires entangled with her watch, while her legs are bound together, preventing her from kicking. She frantically looks around for something to use as a weapon, but her blood runs cold when she sees her right hand. It has become a wild jumble of pixels, the burning pain now subsides.

“Not a…”

A sharp nick cuts off her words as the blade slices her chest. The figure uses extra force when the knife reaches Syd’s chest, the dullness of the RAM blade struggling to cut through the extra padding. Blood flows from the shallow cut as Syd begins to lose hope. Scenes from her life flash before her: meeting Jules when they are nine, Jules begging her to star in a middle school film, her mom and Jules comforting her as she watches her favorite movie at sixteen. Tears well up in her eyes as she thinks this might be the end.

The faint sound of banging stops Syd’s tears instantly. She concentrates on the noise, trying to pinpoint its source. With each bang, it grows louder and louder until she realizes it is coming from the entrance of the building.

It must be Jules and Lou!

The thought gives Syd a glimmer of hope. Now, all she has to do is survive long enough for backup to arrive. But when she sees the knife pointed directly at her chest, she knows she has no chance.

Unless…

She looks at her right hand again, staring hard to find something that resembles her finger. When she spots it, she concentrates on trying to move it. The figure reels back the knife as Syd desperately wills her finger to twitch. Suddenly, she sees it move. She lets out a gasp as the figure prepares to stab her.

“In the end, you’re not cut out for the business,”

It drives the knife down, but Syd grabs its hand just before the blade can plunge into her chest. The figure is taken aback by her strength and struggles to complete its action. Using all her might, Syd pushes the knife further and further away. Her breath becomes ragged as the banging grows louder and louder.

Just a bit more…

That is all she can think about as she holds the figure back. Visibly enraged, the figure roars as wires protrude from its chest. The shrill squeal shatters Syd’s eardrums, but she continues to hold it back. The wires rip off the last of the single-board computers, dragging them back to the humanoid. Its eyes roll back as it quivers, bulking up again with newfound strength. The figure overwhelms Syd, but by then, it is too late.

A thunderous boom shakes the entire storage room, extinguishing the last of the light. PCs rain down, freed from the barricade they have formed. The clattering noise pulls the figure’s attention away from Syd. In the midst of the chaos, drenched in sunlight, a figure enters the storage room.

The humanoid leaps away from Syd, ready to fight whoever has interrupted its killing. Clutching the fragments of her costume, Syd’s hope is replaced by confusion. The silhouette is much larger than Jules and wields what appears to be a massive hammer. Syd knows nothing like that exists in Brimstone.

“Man, that’s one nasty virus,”

A gruff voice bellows from the silhouette who is revealed to be a woman. As the woman steps into the light, her appearance becomes clear. She is incredibly muscular, looking like a hero straight out of a comic book. Her piercing deep blue eyes and shining blonde hair give her an almost otherworldly presence. She lowers her hammer, revealing that it is almost as large as she is. The woman notices Syd and flashes a bright white smile.

“Don’t worry! I’ll kill it in a heartbeat!”

The words are lost on Syd against the ringing in her ears, but the woman’s thumbs-up reassures her that help has indeed arrived. Stunned by the size of the hammer, the figure signals for more broken RAM to raise its knife to match. In an instant, it lunges at the woman, attempting to slice off her head. Effortlessly, the woman spins the hammer and blocks the attack. Her warm smile turns to a playful grin as the figure’s eyes bulge in confusion.

“You’re pretty strong for an anomaly,”

The figure jumps back, crouching like an animal backed into a corner. Wires rip through its trench coat, searching for any PCs that are still intact. It hurls five of them at the woman, waiting a beat before charging at her. The woman spins the hammer, shattering each of the PCs as they approach. 

After the beat, the figure absorbs the shattered PCs, growing larger in mass. It prepares its knife, now in the shape of a machete, to attack the woman. Unexpectedly, the woman lunges at the figure, swinging the hammer down and completely destroying not only the machete but the figure’s arm as well. A horrible shriek comes from the figure as it slowly backs away from the woman.

Grime falls from the figure’s face as fear begins to grip it. It looks around, desperate for something to use, but there are no PCs left. Trembling, it believes it is out of options—until its eyes land on Syd, frozen in awe. She has been holding her torn costume together with her left hand, her smartwatch now fully exposed. 

The figure grimaces at the thought of using her watch as a last resort. It is a treat to savor after killing Syd, but it is the only way to ensure its survival. It sends most of the newly absorbed wires to its legs, its mass tripling as it prepares to pounce on Syd in one fell swoop. 

Unfortunately for it, the woman sees what it is about to do.

“Oh no, you don’t!”

The woman twists the handle of her hammer, causing the head to glow with a fierce light. She charges at full speed, twisting her body for the final attack. With a mighty swing, she brings the hammer down on the figure, crushing it completely. The impact shakes the ground, drowning out the figure’s shriek.

The woman smiles with satisfaction as she slings the hammer over her shoulder. She glances around the storage room, her eyes lighting up when she notices the chrome PC, untouched by the chaos. She turns to Syd.

“Look, you—”

She starts, then gasps. She hasn’t gotten a good look at Syd before, but now she does. Shaking her head, she approaches Syd, who is still sitting on the floor, clutching her torn costume.

“Wait, are you Nerissa from Caustic Cinema?!”

The woman asks trying hold back her excitement. Syd’s eyes widen in shock.

“Y. Yes,”

The woman’s eyes light up even more.

“I’m a huge fan! Can I get an autograph?”

Still stunned by the fact that her savior is also a fan, Syd breathes a sigh of relief. At least there is a way to repay her.

“Do you have a pen?”

The woman scrambles around, pulling a notebook and pen from her back pocket. Syd reaches for the pen but freezes halfway. Her right hand is back to normal. She stares at it in confusion, slowly turning it to make sure it is really healed. She realizes she’s been staring too long when the woman gives her a questioning look. Syd smiles sheepishly before grabbing the pen to sign the notebook.

Thanks for saving me. From Nerissa.

She pauses, realizing she doesn’t know who to make it out to. Then she remembers hearing the word “virus” over the ringing earlier.

“Should I make it out to Virus Buster?”

The woman’s eyes light up even more.

“YES!”

Syd finishes the autograph, and the woman holds the notebook as if it is a golden treasure. Then, as if remembering something, the woman leans closer to Syd’s ear and whispers,

“Hey, I know it’s the backdrop of the show, but you really shouldn’t mess with Uranet servers. Nothing but trouble.”

The revelation hits Syd like a tidal wave, leaving her speechless. The woman leaves the storage room, still admiring the autograph. She did a little jump, unable to contain her excitement.

“Best job ever!”

The roar of a motorcycle fades into the distance as a desperate scream echoes through the storage room.

“Syd!”

Jules bursts into the room, her face pale with worry. Right behind her is Lou, who stops in confusion as the sound of the motorcycle disappears.

“What the hell is Stars and Stripe doing here?”

“Shut up, Lou! And help me with Syd!”

She circles Syd, checking her for injuries. The sight of the blood and the marks from the wires drains what little color Jules has left. What worries her most is how unresponsive Syd is. She hasn’t even noticed Jules, despite her frantic circling. Jules tries to see what Syd is staring at, but there is nothing unusual among the scattered computer parts. 

Suddenly, Syd grabs Jules, causing her to jump. Syd’s grip is uncharacteristically strong, and Jules can see her skin beginning to bruise. The warm, familiar look in Syd’s eyes is gone, replaced by a distant, calculating gaze. Jules worries that Syd has been traumatized by what happened, but it is the opposite. Syd’s mind is racing, trying to process the discovery and the concerns Jules has expressed earlier. 

A mad smile spreads across Syd’s face as she reaches a conclusion. Jules’ unease grows until she hears a stunned gasp from Lou.

“Holy!”

Jules looks at him, confused, until she follows his gaze back to Syd. Her eyes widen as she realizes why Lou has gasped. Syd has used both hands to hold Jules in place, leaving nothing to hold her costume together. Her supple breasts are exposed, their warm vanilla hue glowing in the dim light of the storage room. Even the slightest movements - like Jules turning - cause them to bounce gently. Totally distracting Lou.

Jules' face turns red with a mixture of embarrassment and anger. She can't believe he is more focused on gawking than checking if Syd is okay. Just as she is about to yell at him, Syd pulls her closer and locks eyes with her. The warmth Jules remembers from Syd's eyes and smile is back, easing her worries.

“I know how to save the show!”

@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d

Strategy, the company formerly known as MicroStrategy, is expanding its already massive bitcoin bet.

The software company, led by Executive Chairman Michael Saylor, just announced it’s upsizing its Series A Perpetual Stride Preferred Stock (STRD) offering from $250 million to $1 billion—nearly four times the original amount.

Michael Saylor on X

This will raise about $979.7 million in net proceeds which will be used for general corporate purposes, with a big emphasis on buying more bitcoin.

“The point of our engine is to generate BTC torque via surgical management of our ATMs (at-the-market offerings) in every single trading day,” said Saylor, describing the financing as part of Strategy’s broader “Bitcoin engine.”

STRD will be sold at $85 per share with 11,764,700 shares to be issued on June 10, subject to closing conditions. Each share pays a 10% annual dividend, paid quarterly, starting September 30, 2025—but only if declared by the board.

What makes STRD unique is its structure. Unlike some of its previous offerings—STRF and STRK—the STRD stock does not allow missed dividends to accrue, cannot be converted into common stock, has no maturity date, and is non-callable for life.

So STRD is a permanent, high-yield instrument for professional and institutional investors who want returns tied to Strategy’s bitcoin plans rather than traditional equity growth.

“It’s our high-yield credit instrument,” said Saylor. “Compared to STRK or STRF, it should be a higher-yielding preferred instrument.”

In addition to high yields, the STRD offering has some protective clauses for both the company and investors. Strategy can redeem all outstanding shares if the total number of STRD shares drops below 25% of the original issue.

Shareholders can demand a buyback of their shares at $100 each (plus any declared but unpaid dividends) if there’s a “fundamental change” such as a restructuring or sale of the company.

Liquidation preference will be daily priced, based on recent market performance, trading prices and historical averages.

The whole point of this offering is to buy more bitcoin. The company already has 580,995 BTC, worth a whopping $61.2 billion, with bitcoin at around $106,000.

With $1 billion raised from this offering, it could buy around 9,700 more bitcoin at current prices, a big jump from the 705 BTC it bought for $75.1 million on June 2.

This is part of Saylor’s company’s ongoing and aggressive plan to be the biggest corporate holder of bitcoin, and so far, it has been very successful.

Related: Strategy Doubles its Bitcoin Acquisition Program

Financial analysts and digital asset experts are taking notice of the company’s growing influence in the Bitcoin space.

A VanEck report recently said the MSTR stock is trading at a +112% premium to the fair value of its bitcoin holdings and core software business—mainly due to future bitcoin purchases and investor sentiment.

But some warn that less experienced investors are overpaying for indirect bitcoin exposure by buying into these stocks, which are increasingly tied to bitcoin’s future price and less to the original business of the company.

Many have advised investors to go directly for bitcoin and keep it in self-custody when possible, instead of buying shares of companies or ETFs.

@ b1ddb4d7:471244e7

Bitcoin 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:

• Unique Bitcoin-Video Ads: Part One
• Unique Bitcoin-Video Ads: Part Two

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

@ 4c96d763:80c3ee30

Changes

Daniel D’Aquino (1):

• nostrdb: Fix heap buffer overflow

William Casarin (17):

• win: fix build on windows
• ndb: add note-relays command
• note: always write relay index
• relay-index: fix a few bugs
• debug: add a print for debugging rust integration
• relay: fix race condition bug
• relay: fix potential relay index corruption
• Relay queries
• query: implement author_kind query plan
• fix build on macos
• query: implement profile search query plans
• filter: add initial custom filtering logic
• test: fix custom filter test
• ndb: add --id queries
• eq: fix fallthrough bug
• change <=10 author search queries to ==1
• cleanup previous patch

pushed to nostrdb:refs/heads/master

@ 75528885:78eb1c7e

So currently I am testing this obsidian plug in so I can start creating articles on NOSTR. I will definitely try to test this to the max and I will also start making a blog for my journey through Bitcoin mining.

@ dab6c606:51f507b6

Dlhšie som sa zaujímal o to ako funguje biznis s míľami, vernostnými bodmi. Zistil som, že to čiastočne môžu robiť iba veľké korporácie kvôli tomu ako to môžu potom zaúčtovať. A je to daňovo super výhodné. Pridal som aj info o vernostných bodoch a darčekových kartách. Text nižšie napísali rôzne AI ako som sa v tom vŕtal, to je v zásade sumár, zdieľam pre tých, ktorých to zaujíma.

Časť I: Vernostné programy veľkých korporácií

Obchodná logika vernostných programov

Vernostné programy leteckých spoločností a hotelov sú sofistikované obchodné nástroje, ktoré slúžia niekoľkým kľúčovým účelom. Primárne fungujú na zvýšenie zákazníckej lojality vytvorením "switching costs" - zákazníci nechcú prísť o nazbierané body, čo znižuje pravdepodobnosť, že prejdú ku konkurencii.

Zároveň sú významným zdrojom dodatočných príjmov. Napríklad American Airlines zarába viac na predaji míľ bankám ako na niektorých leteckých linkách. Keď Citibank kupuje míle za 1-2 centy za míľu, aerolínia získava okamžitý príjem, zatiaľ čo reálna hodnota pre zákazníka môže byť 3-5 centov pri správnom využití.

Účtovné spracovanie vernostných bodov

Z účtovného hľadiska predstavujú vernostné body odložené záväzky. Keď zákazník získa body, spoločnosť musí vytvoriť rezervu na ich budúce uplatnenie. Body sa oceňujú na základe predpokladaných nákladov na ich uplatnenie, nie na základe nominálnej hodnoty.

Kľúčový je rozdiel medzi cash accounting a accrual accounting: - Cash accounting: Príjmy sa uznávajú pri prijatí platby, náklady pri zaplatení. - Accrual accounting: Príjmy a náklady sa uznávajú v momente vzniku záväzku.

Pre vernostné programy je accrual accounting kritické. Keď aerolínia predá míle banke za $1,000,000, vytvorí zároveň záväzok na budúce náklady (povedzme $600,000), takže zdaniteľný príjem je len $400,000.

Príklad: Predaj míľ banke

Aerolínia predá 50 miliónov míľ Citibank za $1,000,000: 1. Okamžitý príjem: $1,000,000 2. Vytvorenie záväzku: $600,000 (odhadované budúce náklady) 3. Zdaniteľný príjem: $400,000 4. Budúce náklady: Keď zákazníci míle využijú, spoločnosť uzná náklad a zníži záväzok

Pozitívna marža vzniká z niekoľkých faktorov: - Breakage - 15-20% míľ sa nikdy neuplatní - Časová hodnota peňazí - Peniaze od banky investuje okamžite - Marginálne náklady - Prázdne sedadlo má nízky prírastok nákladu

Daňová optimalizácia a offshore štruktúry

Veľké spoločnosti často využívajú medzinárodné štruktúry na optimalizáciu daní z vernostných programov. Typická štruktúra zahŕňa: 1. Materská spoločnosť (USA/EU) - Prevádzkuje lety a poskytuje služby (napr. lety alebo ubytovanie). 2. IP Holding (Írsko/Holandsko) - Vlastní duševné vlastníctvo (IP) k loyalty programu, ako sú značky, softvér a databázy. 3. Loyalty Operating Company (Singapur/Dubaj) - Spravuje predaj míľ bankám a partnerom, koordinuje program a komunikuje so zákazníkmi.

Obchodné vzťahy a platby medzi entitami (príklad s pozitívnym výsledkom pre Singapur)

Tieto entity sú prepojené zmluvami, ktoré určujú, kto za čo platí a prečo, aby sa minimalizovala daňová záťaž: - Banka → Singapur (Loyalty Operating Company): Banka (napr. Citibank) platí $1,000,000 za míle, ktoré ponúka svojim klientom ako odmenu za používanie kreditných kariet. Singapurská spoločnosť je hlavný kontaktný bod pre partnerov, pretože je umiestnená v jurisdikcii s nízkou daňou (17 %) a dobrou infraštruktúrou pre finančné služby. - Singapur → Írsko (IP Holding): Singapurská spoločnosť platí $500,000 ako royalty za použitie IP (značky, softvéru a dát) loyalty programu. Táto platba je vysoká, aby sa presunul zisk do Írska, kde je daňová sadzba ešte nižšia (12,5 %). Tým sa znižuje zdaniteľný príjem v Singapure. - Singapur → Materská spoločnosť (Aerolínia): Singapurská spoločnosť platí $300,000 materskej spoločnosti za poskytnutie služieb (napr. letov), keď zákazníci využijú míle. Táto platba je nižšia ako reálne náklady, aby sa minimalizoval zisk v krajine materskej spoločnosti, kde je daňová sadzba vyššia (napr. 25-35 % v USA alebo EU). - Zisk v Singapure: $1,000,000 (príjem od banky) - $500,000 (royalty do Írska) - $300,000 (platba aerolínii) = $200,000 zisku, ktorý je zdanený pri 17 % v Singapure.

Prečo takéto rozdelenie?

• Írsko (IP Holding): Vysoké royalty platby ($500,000) idú do Írska, pretože daňová sadzba 12,5 % je atraktívna a Írsko je považované za "serióznu" jurisdikciu, ktorá spĺňa medzinárodné pravidlá (napr. BEPS). Zároveň má Írsko zmluvy o zamedzení dvojitého zdanenia s mnohými krajinami, čo uľahčuje presun zisku.
• Singapur (Loyalty Operating Company): Predaj míľ a koordinácia programu prebieha v Singapure kvôli priaznivému daňovému prostrediu (17 %) a strategickej polohe pre ázijské trhy. Zároveň sa tu zanecháva malý zisk ($200,000), aby sa preukázala "ekonomická substance" – teda, že spoločnosť má reálnu činnosť.
• Materská spoločnosť: Platba $300,000 je nízka, aby sa minimalizoval zdaniteľný príjem v krajine s vysokou daňovou sadzbou (napr. USA alebo EU).

Prečo nie 0 % daňová jurisdikcia?

Prečo sa nepoužíva krajina s nulovou daňou (napr. Kajmanské ostrovy)? Kvôli: - Regulatory scrutiny - Daňové úrady pozorne sledujú 0 % jurisdikcie a môžu spochybniť legitímnosť. - BEPS pravidlám - Potreba preukázať "substance" (reálne kancelárie, zamestnancov) v krajine. - Credibility testu - 12,5 % v Írsku alebo 17 % v Singapure vyzerá ako legitímna obchodná operácia.

Výsledkom takejto štruktúry je, že väčšina zisku (60-70 %) je zdanená pri 12,5 % v Írsku alebo 17 % v Singapure namiesto 25-35 % v domovskej krajine aerolínky.

Časť II: Loyalty programy a alternatívy pre malé biznisy

Prečo je loyalty program problematický pre malé biznisy

Na rozdiel od veľkých korporácií, malé biznisy ako kaviarne narážajú pri vernostných programoch na zásadný problém: cash accounting povinnosť. V mnohých krajinách musia malé firmy (pod $25M ročne) používať cash accounting, čo znamená: - Príjem z predaja bodov sa zdaní okamžite - Náklady sa odpočítajú až keď zákazník body využije (možno o rok) - Vzniká daňový a cashflow problém - daň sa platí z peňazí, ktoré "stratíte" v budúcnosti

Predstavte si kaviareň, ktorá predá vernostné body za €100. Okamžite musí zaplatiť daň (povedzme €21), ale náklady na kávu poskytnutú za body odpočíta až v budúcnosti.

Alternatívne modely pre malé biznisy

Existujú daňovo výhodnejšie alternatívy:

1. Gift Cards model

• Príjem sa NEUZNÁ pri predaji gift karty
• Príjem sa uzná až keď zákazník kartu využije
• Príklad: Predáte gift cards za €10,000 v decembri, získate cash okamžite, ale daň platíte postupne, ako zákazníci karty využívajú počas nasledujúceho roka.
• Časová hodnota peňazí: Peniaze môžete investovať (napr. 6 % ročne = €600 extra zisk na €10,000)
• Breakage benefit: 2-10 % kariet sa nikdy nevyužije, po určitom čase (3-5 rokov, podľa legislatívy) môžete zostatok uznať ako čistý zisk.

Príklad: Starbucks Starbucks mal v roku 2022 na účtoch $1,5 miliardy v nevyužitých gift cards. Odhadovaný breakage 3 % znamená $45 miliónov čistého zisku – bezúročná pôžička od zákazníkov s bonusom, že časť sa nikdy nevráti.

2. Subscription model

• Mesačný príjem = okamžité zdanenie
• Mesačné náklady = okamžitý odpočet
• Príklad: €10/mesiac za "premium membership" s určitými benefitmi

3. Discount Coupons

• Žiadny príjem pri vydaní kupónu
• Znížený príjem pri uplatnení (predáte za nižšiu cenu)
• Príklad: 20 % zľavový kupón = predaj kávy za €4 namiesto €5

Outsourcing loyalty programu: Podrobnosti o Shopify Loyalty

Platformy ako Shopify Loyalty predstavujú elegantné riešenie pre malé biznisy, ktoré chcú ponúkať vernostné programy bez účtovných a daňových komplikácií. Poďme si to rozobrať podrobne:

Ako funguje Shopify Loyalty

• Shopify ako tretia strana: Shopify vlastní a spravuje celý vernostný program vrátane bodov a softvéru. Zákazník má svoj "účet" priamo u Shopify, nie u konkrétneho obchodu. To znamená, že body nie sú vaším záväzkom, ale záväzkom Shopify.
• Vaša úloha: Vy (napr. kaviareň) platíte Shopify mesačný poplatok (napr. €29) za používanie platformy a malý transakčný poplatok (napr. €0,20) za každé uplatnenie bodov (reward). Vy ste v podstate "dodávateľom služieb" pre Shopify – poskytujete odmeny, keď vám Shopify pošle objednávku.
• Získavanie bodov: Zákazník získava body za nákupy v obchodoch, ktoré sú zapojené do Shopify Loyalty programu. Napríklad, ak zákazník nakúpi kávu za €5 vo vašej kaviarni, Shopify mu pripíše body (napr. 5 bodov za každé euro, teda 25 bodov). Konkrétne pravidlá (koľko bodov za euro) si nastavujete vy cez Shopify platformu, ale technicky body spravuje Shopify.
• Využitie bodov: Zákazník môže body využiť na odmeny (napr. kávu zadarmo za 100 bodov), ale zvyčajne len v obchodoch zapojených do Shopify siete. To znamená, že ak vaša kaviareň používa Shopify Loyalty, body získané u vás môžu byť využité u vás alebo v iných obchodoch v rámci Shopify ekosystému, ak to Shopify umožňuje. Väčšinou však obchody nastavujú program tak, aby boli body využiteľné primárne u nich, čím sa zvyšuje lojalita k ich značke.
• Proces uplatnenia bodov: Keď zákazník chce využiť body (napr. 100 bodov za kávu zadarmo), Shopify pošle objednávku vám (kaviarni) na poskytnutie odmeny. Vy kávu vydáte, ale nedostanete za ňu priamy príjem od zákazníka – ide o marketingový náklad. Zároveň platíte Shopify transakčný poplatok (€0,20). Účtovne to nie je predaj, takže nevzniká zdaniteľný príjem ani povinnosť vystaviť bloček.
• Účtovné spracovanie: Keď zákazník využije body:
• Žiadny bloček = žiadny zdaniteľný príjem
• Náklad kávy (€2) + Shopify fee (€0,20) = €2,20
• Účtuje sa ako "Promotional expenses" alebo "Marketing costs"

Prečo musí byť loyalty program outsourcovaný tretej strane (ako Shopify)?

Malé biznisy nemajú kapacitu ani zdroje na správu vlastného loyalty programu "in-house" z týchto dôvodov: - Daňová a účtovná komplexnosť: Ak by ste spravovali loyalty program sami, museli by ste vytvárať rezervy na budúce záväzky (body, ktoré zákazníci využijú neskôr), odhadovať breakage rate (percento nevyužitých bodov) a riešiť cash vs. accrual accounting. Pre malé firmy, ktoré často musia používať cash accounting, to znamená okamžité zdanenie príjmu, ak by body predávali, ale odpočet nákladov až v budúcnosti – vzniká cashflow nesúlad. - Technologická infraštruktúra: Správa bodov, databáz zákazníkov a integrácia s platobnými systémami vyžaduje sofistikovaný softvér a IT tím, čo je pre malé firmy nákladné a komplikované. - Legálna separácia: Keď program spravuje tretia strana ako Shopify, body sú ich záväzkom, nie vaším. Pre vás to znamená, že nemáte žiadne budúce záväzky vo svojej účtovnej knihe – len mesačné náklady (poplatok Shopify), ktoré sú daňovo odpočítateľné ako bežný výdavok. - Ekonomická efektivita: Shopify združuje tisíce obchodov, čím dosahuje ekonomiku rozsahu – nižšie náklady na softvér, bezpečnosť a správu dát. Malá kaviareň by sama nikdy nedokázala vytvoriť takýto systém za rozumnú cenu.

Prečo to nemôže byť in-house z daňového hľadiska?

Ak by malá firma spravovala loyalty program sama: - Okamžitý daňový problém: Ak by firma predávala body (napr. za peniaze alebo ako súčasť nákupu), príjem by musela zdaniť hneď, hoci náklady na poskytnutie odmien (napr. káva zadarmo) by mohla odpočítať až v momente, keď zákazník body využije. To vytvára cashflow nesúlad, pretože daň platíte skôr, než reálne "stratíte" peniaze na odmenu. - Zložité rezervy: Musela by odhadovať, koľko bodov sa využije, a vytvárať účtovné rezervy, čo je administratívne náročné a vyžaduje drahých účtovníkov alebo softvér. - Riziko chýb: Nesprávne odhady breakage rate alebo zlý manažment záväzkov môžu viesť k daňovým kontrolám a pokutám.

S Shopify sa tieto problémy eliminujú – vy platíte len mesačný poplatok a transakčné fees, ktoré sú jednoducho účtované ako marketingové náklady. Shopify preberá celú zodpovednosť za správu bodov a záväzkov voči zákazníkom.

Prípadová štúdia: Vernostné body pre kaviareň (model 10 + 1 zadarmo)

Pozrime sa na konkrétny prípad malej kaviarne, ktorá ponúka klasický vernostný program typu "10 + 1 zadarmo". Zákazník dostane 1 bod za každú kúpenú kávu (napr. za €3) a po nazbieraní 10 bodov dostane jednu kávu zadarmo. Rozoberieme, ako to funguje účtovne, či ide o "promotional expense" a aký je rozdiel medzi in-house správou a použitím Shopify.

Ako funguje program "10 + 1 zadarmo"

• Získavanie bodov: Zákazník kúpi kávu za €3 a dostane 1 bod (napr. pečiatku na kartičku alebo digitálny záznam). Body nemajú peňažnú hodnotu na predaj – sú čisto odmenou za nákup.
• Využitie bodov: Po nazbieraní 10 bodov (čo znamená nákupy za €30) zákazník dostane kávu zadarmo (hodnota €3).
• Reálny náklad pre kaviareň: Náklad na výrobu kávy zadarmo je nižší ako predajná cena, napr. €1,50 za suroviny a prácu.

Účtovné spracovanie (In-house)

Ak kaviareň spravuje program sama (in-house), účtovný proces závisí od toho, či používa cash accounting (bežné pre malé firmy) alebo accrual accounting: - Cash accounting: - Pri nákupe kávy zákazníkom: Kaviareň účtuje príjem €3 za každú kávu a vydá bloček. Bod (pečiatka) nemá peňažnú hodnotu, takže sa neúčtuje ako záväzok ani príjem. - Pri uplatnení 10 bodov: Keď zákazník dostane kávu zadarmo, nevzniká príjem (€0), ale vzniká náklad na výrobu kávy (€1,50). Tento náklad sa účtuje ako "Promotional expense" alebo "Marketing cost", pretože ide o formu zľavy alebo reklamy na udržanie zákazníka. - Daňový dopad: Žiadny príjem pri vydaní kávy zadarmo, náklad €1,50 je daňovo odpočítateľný ako bežný výdavok. - Accrual accounting (menej bežné pre malé firmy): - Pri nákupe kávy zákazníkom: Kaviareň účtuje príjem €3, ale zároveň vytvára malý záväzok na budúcu odmenu (napr. €0,30 za každý bod, čo je odhad nákladu na budúcu kávu zadarmo deleno 10). Teda z €3 príjmu je zdaniteľný príjem len €2,70. - Pri uplatnení 10 bodov: Keď zákazník dostane kávu zadarmo, kaviareň zníži záväzok o €3 (10 bodov x €0,30) a účtuje náklad €1,50 na výrobu kávy. Rozdiel môže byť upravený ako breakage alebo iný zisk, ak sa odhady líšia od reality. - Daňový dopad: Zdaniteľný príjem je nižší už pri prvom nákupe, ale účtovníctvo je zložitejšie kvôli odhadom a rezervám.

Je to Promotional Expense? Áno, v oboch prípadoch (cash aj accrual) sa náklad na kávu zadarmo účtuje ako "Promotional expense" alebo "Marketing cost", pretože ide o formu zľavy na podporu lojality zákazníkov. Nie je to považované za bežný predaj, pretože nevzniká príjem ani bloček.

Účtovné spracovanie (cez Shopify Loyalty)

Ak kaviareň používa Shopify Loyalty na správu programu "10 + 1 zadarmo", proces je jednoduchší: - Pri nákupe kávy zákazníkom: Kaviareň účtuje príjem €3 za kávu a vydá bloček. Shopify pripíše bod zákazníkovi do jeho účtu (nie je to váš záväzok, ale Shopify). - Pri uplatnení 10 bodov: Shopify pošle objednávku na vydanie kávy zadarmo. Kaviareň vydá kávu (náklad €1,50) a zaplatí Shopify transakčný poplatok (€0,20). Celkový náklad €1,70 sa účtuje ako "Promotional expense" alebo "Marketing cost". - Daňový dopad: Rovnako ako pri in-house, žiadny príjem pri vydaní kávy zadarmo, náklad €1,70 je daňovo odpočítateľný ako bežný výdavok. Navyše nemusíte riešiť žiadne záväzky alebo odhady breakage, pretože body spravuje Shopify.

Rozdiel medzi In-house a Shopify

• In-house:
• Výhody: Plná kontrola nad programom, žiadne mesačné poplatky tretej strane (napr. €29 Shopify fee).
• Nevýhody: Ak použijete accrual accounting, musíte vytvárať rezervy a odhadovať breakage, čo je administratívne náročné. Pri cash accounting je to jednoduchšie (žiadne záväzky), ale ak by ste body predávali za peniaze, vzniká daňový nesúlad (príjem zdanený hneď, náklad až neskôr). Navyše musíte sami spravovať databázu bodov (pečiatky, softvér), čo je časovo náročné.
• Shopify Loyalty:
• Výhody: Žiadne záväzky vo vašej účtovnej knihe, Shopify spravuje body a technológiu. Účtovne je to jednoduché – len mesačný poplatok (€29) a transakčné poplatky (€0,20) ako marketingový náklad. Nemusíte riešiť odhady ani breakage.
• Nevýhody: Platíte mesačné poplatky a transakčné fees, čo zvyšuje náklady (napr. €0,20 navyše za každú kávu zadarmo). Máte menšiu kontrolu nad programom, pretože ho spravuje tretia strana.

Záver pre kaviareň: Program "10 + 1 zadarmo" je účtovne považovaný za Promotional expense v oboch prípadoch (in-house aj Shopify), pretože káva zadarmo je forma marketingu na udržanie zákazníkov. Rozdiel je v administratívnej záťaži a nákladoch – Shopify zjednodušuje účtovníctvo a správu, ale za cenu mesačných poplatkov. In-house je lacnejšie, ale náročnejšie na správu, najmä ak by ste chceli používať accrual accounting alebo predávať body za peniaze.

Záver

Vernostné programy sú sofistikovaný nástroj zákazníckej lojality, ale ich účtovné a daňové aspekty sa výrazne líšia medzi veľkými a malými firmami. Veľké korporácie využívajú accrual accounting a medzinárodné štruktúry na optimalizáciu daní, zatiaľ čo pre malé biznisy sú často výhodnejšie alternatívne modely ako gift cards alebo outsourcing celého programu, ktoré eliminujú daňové a cashflow problémy. Gift cards navyše prinášajú okamžitý cash flow, časovú hodnotu peňazí a breakage benefit, čo z nich robí ideálny nástroj pre podniky všetkých veľkostí. Shopify Loyalty ponúka malým firmám spôsob, ako implementovať vernostný program bez účtovných komplikácií, pretože preberá technickú a právnu zodpovednosť, čím umožňuje sústrediť sa na core biznis. Pre jednoduché programy ako "10 + 1 zadarmo" je účtovný dopad podobný (Promotional expense), ale Shopify zjednodušuje správu za cenu dodatočných poplatkov.

```

```

@ df478568:2a951e67

Marty Bent Vibe coded the opportunity cost app. I have not tried it yet, but love the concept. I have been into bitcoin since 2014, but I spent more generational wealth than I would care to admit back then. I've heard stories of fortunes blown on cocaine in the 1980's. I could write a story about spending a fortune on Diet Mt. Dew. I don't drink Diet Mt. Dew anymore. This one time, I spent about a million sats for a light beer at a baseball game. I wouldn't say I had a drinking problem, a million sats was only five bucks at the time. I didn't know that much bitcoin would be worth over a thousand bucks eleven years later.

I don't drink beer anymore. Bitcoin tends to do that to you.

We can afford chairs now. To be honest, we need a couch. The last couch I bought was in 2017 and it cost about a whole bitcoin. That couch is buried in a landfill today. My wife loves furniture, but even she's hesitant to spend sats on a couch now. We know we need a couch, but we don't want to spend sats on something we will need to replace before the next halving.

Many of us who have been in bitcoin for more than a decade have some regrets. I know I do, but we need to live our lives. I would never say you should sit on the floor, but I encourage to you to think about time. How long will this thing I need to buy last? If you think you can give a 3 million sat couch to your grandchildren, spend three million sats on the couch. If your five year plan for the couch is to help fill a landfill, maybe you only need to buy a used couch at a thrift store. This is not investment advice of course. How can it be? I don't know what kind of couch hazards you have in your house. I have trouble finding a couch of my own, but it's how I think about making bigger purchases. How many years of your retirement will that watch, car, house or whatever cost you from your stack? You can only determine that for yourself. I think the opportunity cost app will help you keep track of your decision.

This app was made by someone who once spent a whole bitcoin on a heater. I can't speak for Marty, but I believe the opportunity cost app will help you learn from my mistakes.

For more information, check out:

https://www.opportunitycost.app/

Check out the code on GitHub.

Using The Opportunity Cost App

The app is pretty straight forward. It is only available on Chrome for now so I installed it on the Chromium browser. I looked at the settings, but kept them default.

Then I searched for a Rolex in Duck Duck Go.

The default is bitcoin, but there is a sat calculator in the corner too, I have always wanted a Rolex Milgauss with a green sapphire so I looked it up on eBay. It's about 8 million sats. That's too rich for my blood, but I might be willing to part with a million sats for that watch. I'll definitely pick it up for 500,000 sats. I can wait. Bitcoin is the best clock in the world. I wouldn't go so far as to call this Rolex a shitcoin, but bitcoin is a better clock than any watch in my opinion--Even when compared to my favorite watch.

Video From Opportunity Cost Website

How will you use the Opportunity Cost browser extension?

☮️ npub1marc26z8nh3xkj5rcx7ufkatvx6ueqhp5vfw9v5teq26z254renshtf3g0

https://zapthisblog.com/calculate-your-opportunity-cost-while-shopping/

900,678

@ 79c79f2d:7dbd8c3f

HVAC services in Tucson cover everything from air conditioning repairs to furnace installations, designed specifically for the region’s unique desert climate. With temperatures ranging from freezing winters to blazing summers, efficient heating and cooling systems are vital. Tucson HVAC contractors offer expert installation, maintenance, and emergency repairs to keep your system running smoothly. They provide energy-saving solutions and work with top brands to ensure comfort and reliability. Whether it’s residential or commercial service, Tucson HVAC professionals are known for their fast response, honest pricing, and technical expertise.

@ 8d34bd24:414be32b

Last post, I touched on the subject of what do you say to those going through trials and tribulations, but as I read Job, it seemed like there was more to say on the subject of how Christians are to respond to those who are suffering. The original passage of inspiration was this.

Don’t Be A Miserable Comforter

Then Job answered,

“I have heard many such things;\ Sorry comforters are you all.\ Is there no limit to windy words?\ Or what plagues you that you answer?\ I too could speak like you,\ If I were in your place.\ I could compose words against you\ And shake my head at you.\ I could strengthen you with my mouth,\ And the solace of my lips could lessen your pain. (Job 16:1-5)

Job was suffering. His friends came with the intention of comforting Job. Job vented his frustrations and problems understanding God’s justice. His friends tried to correct Job’s honest questions. These corrections escalated to the point of accusing Job of heinous sins and saying that everything that had happened to Job was his fault.

Job rightly said, “If I were in your place, I could compose words against you, and shake my head at you.” Sometimes we have to show mercy while a person is working through their feelings and confusion. Although some hardships are the consequences or punishment for sins, many (probably most) are not. We, as Christians, are promised trials. We should not be surprised when we go through trials.

Job also compares two ways of responding to a fellow believer going through trials. He says, “I could strengthen you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips could lessen your pain.” We can use our words to encourage and strengthen those who are suffering.

He also accuses his visitors of “Sorry comforters are you all. Is there no limit to windy words?” This reminds me of a traditional saying, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” Some of us want to fix everything. Sometimes we need to just listen. We don’t have to speak an answer for everything. In these uncomfortable situations, it is easy to start with a brief, Biblical answer, but then to start filling the silence with our own words to fill the silence. This can harm of everyone.

Job’s friends initial comments were not bad and were mostly true, but the more they talked, the more they went off track and the more harm they did. We want to lessen their pain, not be sorry comforters.

Of course this doesn’t mean that we can’t share God’s word. It doesn’t mean we can’t acknowledge obvious sins that are known by all parties. It does mean that all words should be an encouragement to lead them into closer fellowship with God.

Job again comments about his friends.

Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven,\ **And my advocate is on high.\ My friends are my scoffers;\ My eye weeps to God.\ O that a man might plead with God\ As a man with his neighbor!\ For when a few years are past,\ I shall go the way of no return. (Job 16:19-22) {emphasis mine}

Job, being a godly man, puts his trust in God. Notice the pattern: God, friends, God.

And my advocate is on high.\ My friends are my scoffers;\ My eye weeps to God.

Despite the scoffing and harm done by his friends, he keeps his eye on God as his advocate and the one he turns to in sorrow. In the case of Job, he is able to lean on God despite the harm done by his friends. Those will lesser faith might have been pushed away from God by his friends words.

Love One Another

In the New Testament, we are told:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Our every word and action should be loving. That doesn’t mean ignoring sin, but it does mean every word and action should be used to draw a person into closer relationship with their God and Savior. In the case of a person who is sinning, Jesus set a perfect example.

The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they*said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” (John 8:3-11)

What did Jesus do:

1. He protected the accused from those trying to use, abuse, and torment her.

2. He did not deny her sin, but encouraged her accusers to acknowledge their own sins.

3. He encouraged her to “sin no more.”

This woman knew she had sinned. She did not need to be reminded of it. She didn’t deny it; she knew. Because she and everyone else knew her sin, there was no need to bring it up again. Jesus used this situation to help her accusers understand their own sin and to lead her into repentance and salvation. The gentle correction was used to lead her to a better way.

When we speak to someone in trials, whether self-inflicted, externally caused, or a standard trial common to all men, our goal should be to uplift and draw to Jesus. We should have mercy on the suffering and not add to their suffering.

No matter the case, we need to carefully use our words for love and mercy.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:7-11)

Dealing With Sin & Repentance

In 1 & 2 Corinthians, Paul deals with a situation of extreme sin. In 1 Corinthians he rebukes the church for allowing this heinous sin within their church body.

It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife. You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.

For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present. In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (1 Corinthians 5:1-5) {emphasis mine}

This unrepentant sin could not be allowed to remain in the body because it could spread among God’s people and because it harmed God’s glory. At the same time, the motivation for removing him from the body was not to remove him from a relationship with God. It was to cause consequences in the hopes that the man would return to Jesus.

In 2 Corinthians, we find that he does repent of his son and seek to come back into the fellowship of believers.

For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.

But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in some degree—in order not to say too much—to all of you. Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes. (2 Corinthians 2:4-11) {emphasis mine}

Once a sinner repents, we are to immediately forgive and comfort them and welcome them back into the fellowship of believers. We are not to remind them of their previous sins and overwhelm them with excessive sorrow, but are to reaffirm our love for them. Any punishment was for correction, not to harm or cause them pain. We should seek the good of those who sinned. We should welcome them back with open arms. We should forgive as we were forgiven by God.

All of our words and actions toward others, whether the most godly saint or the most reprehensible sinner, should be to the goal of drawing them closer to the Savior and helping them to trust in God’s goodness, wisdom, and strength.

May the God of Heaven carry your burdens and help you to help carry the burdens of those around you. May Our Savior help us to be a godly encouragement to the suffering who draws them into closer fellowship with the Savior. May the Holy Spirt give us discernment in how to best encourage the suffering and to help them rest in Jesus.

Trust Jesus

@ 69eea734:4ae31ae6

Vor ein paar Tagen stieß ich auf einen faszinierenden Artikel von Michel Bauwens, Mitbegründer der P2PFoundation, mit Links zu weiteren Texten – zum Beispiel über den Puls der Commons –, die ich ebenfalls äußerst interessant fand.

Der Artikel zeigt unter anderem gut, wie unterschiedlich Commons aussehen können, so dass ich ihn heute als Ausgangspunkt nehmen möchte, um ein paar Puzzle-Steine in mein entstehendes Bild der Commons einzufügen.

Das Grundmuster menschlichen Zusammenlebens?

Bauwens betrachtet die Commons aus historischer Sicht, wie sie sich in verschiedenen Zeiten unterschiedlich manifestieren, manchmal gar nahezu verschwinden und heute in wiederum veränderter Form neu entstehen – und plädiert dafür, dass sie noch weit stärker werden sollten.

Er legt zunächst dar, was die Commons sind und was nicht. (zum Beispiel nichts, was vom Staat verwaltet wird, wie ein öffentlicher Park.) Ausschlaggebend ist, dass eine Ressource von ihren Herstellern oder Benutzern selbst betreut wird. Commons entstehen dabei durch Beziehungen. Sie sind etwas spezifisch Menschliches und eine Wahl, die „fast immer“ zur Verfügung steht, so Bauwens. Eine die Geschichte überdauernde menschliche Praxis.

Er nennt drei verschiedene geschichtlichen Entwicklungen:

• Eine lineare - Wie präsentiert sich der Commons über verschiedene, komplexer werdende, Phasen der Menschheitsgeschichte hinweg?
• Eine hin und her schwingendende: In der Geschichte einer Zivilisation werden die Commons in Zeiten von Überfluss -- und daraus resultierender Verschwendung uns steigender Ressourcen-Extraktion -- unterdrückt, konstitutieren sich aber dann als Gegenbewegung wieder neu.
• Eine stufenweise: Die heutigen, mit neuen Möglichkeiten ausgestatteten Formen der Commons könnten in der nächsten Phase unserer Zivilisation (oder nach unserer Zivilisation) eine entscheidende Rolle spielen.

Wenn man verschiedene Arten des Austausches betrachtet (Bauwens beruft sich hierbei auf Alan Fiske), kann man geschichtlich analysieren, welche zu verschiedenen Zeiten vorrangig waren (dies tat Kojin Karatani in The Structure of World History von 2014).

Die vier Muster sind:

• Gemeinschaftliche Beteiligung, Commons (die Gemeinschaft baut mir ein Haus, und ich helfe später bei einem anderen Hausbau mit; ein Beispiel aus neuerer Zeit ist die Entwicklung von Linux)
• Wechselseitiger Austausch (Geschenkökonomie – es wird eine etwa gleichwertige Leistung zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt erwartet)
• Hierarchisch bedingte Verteilung, wie im Feudalismus
• Marktwirtschaft (es gibt ein allgemeines Zahlungsmittel mit einem bestimmten Wert)

Bauwens: „Entscheidend ist jedoch, dass die Menschheit ständig bestrebt ist, Modus A wiederherzustellen, denn die Menschen haben eine kulturelle und wahrscheinlich auch allgemeine Vorliebe für ein geselliges Leben in kleinen, vertrauten Gruppen. Aber menschliche Gruppen versuchen, dies auch auf höheren Komplexitätsebenen zu tun, in einem ständigen Versuch, die extraktive Logik der Zivilisation zu mäßigen.“ (Katarani bezeichnet eine Verbindung von Commoning und Geschenkökonomie in stammesorientierten Kulturen als Modus A)

Commons durch die Zeiten - ein kurzer Abriss

In der ursprünglichsten Form der Commons in Jäger- und Sammler-Gemeinschaften, werden Nahrung und sonstige Ressourcen mit der ganzen Gemeinschaft geteilt - dies ist zumindest die vorherrschende Form des Austauschs.

Im Zuge der Agrar-Revolution geht es um das gemeinsame Bewirtschaften von Flächen.

Im Mittelalter entwickelt sich in Europa das Feudalsystem. Auch hier werden manche Felder aber noch von den Dorfbewohnern gemeinsam verwaltet.

Ab dem 16. Jahrhundert fanden, am stärksten in England, die Enclosures (auf deutsch Einhegungen) statt. Das heißt, dass Felder zur effizienteren Bewirtschaftung von den Besitzern zusammengelegt und umzäunt wurden.

Besonders im 19. Jahrhundert, mit dem Aufkommen der Industrialisierung, nahm diese Entwicklung immer stärker zu. Die landwirtschaftlichen Commons wurden dadurch weitgehend zerstört.

Im industriellen Kapitalismus, als die Arbeiter kaum Rechte hatten, und es auch um das bloße Überleben ging, entwickelte sich ein sozialer Commons Dieser bestand darin, dass sich die Arbeiter gegenseitig halfen und sich gegenseitig versicherten. Aus dieser Bewegung entstand dann der Sozialstaat. Der Staat übernahm also Aufgaben, die die Menschen zuvor füreinander geleistet hatten.

Man könnte daher sagen, dass im Kapitalismus die natürlichen Commons-Ressourcen privatisiert und die sozialen Commons verstaatlicht wurden.

In der Moderne waren sich viele Menschen der Bedeutung von Commons gar nicht mehr bewusst.

Mit dem Internet, dem World Wide Web und weiteren digitalen Techniken erschlossen sich dann neue Möglichkeiten. Mit Peer Production, Open Source Software, sowie den Creative Commons Lizenzen, enstand eine neue Inkarnation der Commons. Und damit ist die Entwicklung noch nicht abgeschlossen...

Warum Commons nicht in ein Links-Rechts-Schema passen

Mit seinem Streifzug durch die Geschichte zeigt Bauwens, wie vielfältig die Commons sein können, und warum ihnen in der heutigen Zeit eine starke Rolle zukommen sollte. Nebenbei ergibt sich für mich auch, dass sie jenseits von linker oder rechter Ideologie liegen. Hierzu eine kurze Zwischenbetrachtung von mir:

Weil es um kollektives Handeln geht, und auch wegen des Namens („hört sich an wie Kommunismus“, meinte meine Mutter), entsteht leicht der Eindruck, es handele sich um ein besonders linksgerichtetes Phänomen.

Eine gut eingespielte Fußballmannschaft agiert auch als Kollektiv. Der Verein verwaltet vielleicht ein Clubhaus. Wohl kaum jemand würde deswegen den Verein als links bezeichnen.

Freilich sind die Mitglieder heutiger Commons-Bewegungen vorwiegend „progressiv“, zuweilen auf eine rigide Weise. Bauwens hat damit schon eine leidvolle Erfahrung gemacht. Aber Commons als soziales System sind es nicht. Dafür spricht allein schon die Tatsache, dass es sie viel länger gibt als die politische Links-Rechts-Einteilung.

Eine starke Rolle für die Commons

Wie steht es um die Commons heute? Das werde ich in weiteren Artikeln noch versuchen zu beleuchten.

Mir kommt gerade der Gedanke in den Sinn: Sie wachsen überall.

Wie oben erwähnt, enstand mit zunehmenden digitalen Möglichkeiten eine neue Form der Commons. Leider gab es hier auch moderne Formen der Einhegungen. Github wurde von Microsoft übernommen, der Sardex (alternatives lokales Wirtschaftsnetzwerk) anscheinend von einer Investment-Firma. AWS (Amazon Web Services) verleibt sich gerne woanders entwickelte Projekte ein und bietet sie als zahlungspflichtige Services an. Krypto wurde -- weitgehend -- "gekapert".

Aber zum einen gibt es nicht nur den digital basierten Commons, es entsteht schon viel auf anderer Ebene, und zum anderen sind Commoners erfinderische Menschen...

Michel Bauwens hat in seinen Artikeln im Übrigen noch mehr zu den heutigen Commons zu sagen. Inbesondere beführwortet er das Kosmo-Lokale (Cosmo-Local). Was leicht ist (Wissen) wird geteilt, was Gewicht hat (etwa landwirtschaftliche und andere Produktion), wird an lokale Gegebenheiten angepasst und vor Ort bewerkstelligt.

Und das Zusammenspiel von Digitalem und Materiellem verspricht weitere Möglichkeiten.

In jedem Fall haben die Commons eine ausgleichende, regenerierende Kraft, die wir aufgrund der heutigen vielen Kriesen gar nicht ungenützt lassen können, ganz unabhängig von unserer sozialer Ebene - das gilt auch für die Superreichen.

@ cae03c48:2a7d6671

Bitcoin Magazine

Sberbank, Russia’s Biggest Bank, Launches Structured Bond Tied to Bitcoin 

Sberbank, the largest bank in Russia, has launched a new structured bond that ties investor returns to the performance of Bitcoin and the U.S. dollar-to-ruble exchange rate. This new financial product represents one of the first moves by a major Russian institution to offer Bitcoin-linked investments under recently updated national regulations.

BREAKING: Russia's largest bank Sberbank launches structured bonds linked to Bitcoin. pic.twitter.com/LtD26jPS0x

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) June 2, 2025

The structured bond is initially available over the counter to a limited group of qualified investors. According to the announcement, it allows investors to earn based on two factors: the price performance of BTC in U.S. dollars and any strengthening of the dollar compared to the Russian ruble.

Unlike typical Bitcoin investments, this product does not require the use of a Bitcoin wallet or foreign platforms. “All transactions [are] processed in rubles within Russia’s legal and infrastructure systems,” Sberbank stated, highlighting compliance with domestic financial protocols.

In addition to the bond, Sberbank has announced plans to launch similar structured investment products with Bitcoin exposure on the Moscow Exchange. The bank also revealed it will introduce a Bitcoin futures product via its SberInvestments platform on June 4, aligning with the product’s debut on the Moscow Exchange.

These developments follow a recent policy change by the Bank of Russia, which now permits financial institutions to offer Bitcoin-linked instruments to qualified investors. This shift opens the door for Bitcoin within the country’s traditional financial markets.

While Russia has previously taken a cautious approach to digital assets, Sberbank’s launch of a Bitcoin-linked bond and upcoming futures product marks a new phase of adoption—one that blends Bitcoin exposure with existing financial infrastructure.

The bank’s structured bond may signal a growing interest in regulated access to Bitcoin, especially within large financial institutions.

This post Sberbank, Russia’s Biggest Bank, Launches Structured Bond Tied to Bitcoin  first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.

@ d5b257e3:30a2b7bd

SPEC.md

Project: Prime Number CLI Calculator

Overview

A command-line interface (CLI) calculator built using Bun, which only accepts prime numbers as input. The calculator will perform basic arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) on prime numbers.

Features

1. Prime Number Validation: The calculator will validate all input numbers to ensure they are prime.
2. Arithmetic Operations:
3. Addition (+)
4. Subtraction (-)
5. Multiplication (*)
6. Division (/)
7. Error Handling: Informative error messages for invalid inputs (non-prime numbers, invalid operations, etc.).
8. Help Command: Display usage instructions and examples.

Technical Stack

• Runtime: Bun
• Language: TypeScript (or JavaScript, if preferred)
• Testing: Bun's built-in test runner

Usage Example

bash bun run calculator add 5 7

Output: 12

Project Structure

/prime-calculator /src index.ts # Main entry point utils.ts # Helper functions (e.g., prime validation) /tests index.test.ts # Test cases package.json # Project configuration SPEC.md # This document

Requirements

1. Prime Validation: Implement a function to check if a number is prime.
2. CLI Interface: Parse command-line arguments and execute the requested operation.
3. Testing: Write unit tests for all functions.

Next Steps

1. Set up the Bun project.
2. Implement the prime validation logic.
3. Build the CLI interface.

@ e0e92e54:d630dfaa

As some of you know, I lead a quarterly Bible Study through Faith Driven Investor

One of the members from the cohort that just ended forwarded me an email from the US Christian Chamber of Commerce

The summary is: Christians should intentionally be doing more business with Christians.

[Full email at the bottom of this Article]

---

I recanted to my FDI member about a book I read a few years ago, Thou Shall Prosper, by Rabbi Daniel Lapin.

In it he gave the statistics that a single dollar recirculates in the Jewish community 12 times, Muslims 8 times, and Christians only 3 or 4 times.

(I'm probably slightly off on recalling the stats)

But the point being that as a people group, Jews are 4x more wealthy than Christians because Christians value doing business with one another 4 times less than Jews...or said another way, the Jewish people value doing business with one another 4x more than Christians.

Reading the email I was sent, I was further reminded as business owners, leaders, and investors;

If we are truly going to steward that which God has entrusted to us, we should want to re-circulate those resources as many times as possible within the Christian community in order to have the greatest probability of return on image bearers.

What are your thoughts?

---

I Bought a House Through the Christian Chamber - What happened next surprised me

My husband and I just bought a house—but it wasn’t just a transaction. It was a transformation.

With our daughter’s high school graduation behind us, we felt ready to step into a long-held dream: moving to a beach town we’ve thought, talked, and prayed about for years. As part of turning our dream into a reality, we made a very intentional decision:

We would buy our home entirely through the Christian Chamber community.

We wanted to walk the talk—to model what Kingdom commerce really looks like. So we sought Christian-led businesses for every part of the process. What started as a symbolic gesture quickly became a profound experience with two life-changing revelations:

1) The Power of Prayer in Business

Yes, we prayed as a couple—but imagine your Realtor, lender, inspector, and insurance agent all praying with you, too.

We’re not talking about just being “nice people” or listening to worship in the office. We’re talking about Spirit-filled, Jesus-following believers who brought prayer into every decision.

· Our Realtor is also a church planter—her discernment helped us find the perfect house on day one.

· Our lender joined us in prayer—and worked miracles to make the deal smooth and abundantly possible.

· Our inspector's biggest red flag? A bird’s nest in a porch light. (Yes, really.)

· Our insurance agent handled everything—and in Florida, that’s no small feat.

I have bought and sold seven homes in my life, but this was the best experience by far. The layout, the location, the timing, the favor—it was all wrapped in prayer and covered in grace. It wasn’t just business. It was supernatural.

2) Kingdom ROI — A Multiplied Impact

By doing business with Christians, we didn’t just find great service. We created a multiplied Kingdom return.

We know where our vendors give. We know the churches they support, the ministries they fund, and the people they serve.

When they earned from our purchase, those dollars didn’t disappear—they were reinvested into Kingdom causes we could never reach on our own.

This is Kingdom ROI.

It’s a real-life example of the parable of the talents—we didn’t bury our resources. We multiplied them. When you spend money with aligned believers, your impact compounds.

The opposite is also true:

When we spend with businesses that oppose our values, we’re funding platforms that erode the very things we’re trying to protect—our families, our freedoms, and our faith.

We MUST STOP funding the enemy.

The Bigger Picture

Let’s be clear: Studies show that Christians make up 31% of the world’s population, but we control 55% of the world’s wealth—more than $107 trillion in personal assets.

And yet…we’re leaking that wealth into systems that are actively working against us.

Why? Because we do not have the infrastructure to keep it aligned.

Until now.

That’s what we’re building through the U.S. Christian Chamber of Commerce: A national infrastructure that empowers Christians to redirect their dollars, align their values, and multiply their impact.

What If You Did the Same?

· Buy your next product or service from a Christian-led business.

· Hire your next contractor from your local Christian Chamber.

· Invest in a company with eternal impact.

· Launch a Christian Chamber in your region—we’ll help you.

· Join the U.S. Christian Chamber. This is your Chamber, for your nation.

· Meet us in Orlando for SWC 2026, the global gathering of Christian commerce.

Imagine the multiplying power if thousands of us made similar decisions—every day—across this nation.

We own the wealth. Now let’s build the infrastructure, create the ecosystem, and shift the world's wealth one transaction at a time.



This is our nation and we are One Nation Under God!

---

Jason Ansley is the founder of Above The Line Leader, where he provides tailored leadership support and operational expertise to help business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders thrive— without sacrificing your faith, family, or future.

• Want to strengthen your leadership and enhance operational excellence? Connect with Jason at https://abovethelineleader.com/#your-leadership-journey

• 📌 This article first appeared on NOSTR. You can also find more Business Leadership Articles and content at: 👉 https://abovethelineleader.com/business-leadership-articles

@ bd982176:8b2599a7

Every week at the Bitcoin Babies Foundation , we're privileged to witness incredible resilience. We empower mothers with $5 worth of Bitcoin for their little ones – a small start, but a potent seed for growth. It's for food, clothing, or perhaps a savings fund for their child's future. Beyond the financial support, however, we see a profound lesson unfolding, one that resonates deeply with a powerful idea: the art of asking.

We recently came across a powerful message about getting what you want in life. The core principle? You have to ask for it. It sounds simple, yet for so many, it’s the biggest hurdle. We're often taught to be self-sufficient, to figure things out on our own. But true progress, true growth, often begins with the courage to voice our needs, to define our desires, and to ask for what we envision.

Think about the mothers we work with. Many of them have faced unimaginable hardship. Yet, they show up, week after week, with hope in their eyes. They are, in their own way, asking for a better future for their children. They are asking for stability, for opportunity, for a chance to build something new.

The video we're inspired by talks about two crucial ways to ask:

Ask with Intelligence: Be crystal clear about what you want. The more specific you are, the more you magnetize that outcome towards you. For our mothers, this isn't just about needing "money." It's about needing funds for specific food items, for a winter coat, or for a savings plan to send their child to school one day. This clarity transforms a vague wish into a tangible goal.

Ask with Faith: Believe that what you're asking for is achievable, with the pure, unwavering conviction of a child. This isn't about blind optimism; it's about holding onto hope even when circumstances are tough. Our mothers embody this faith daily. They might not know exactly how everything will work out, but they believe in the possibility of a brighter tomorrow for their little ones.

The Bitcoin Babies Foundation provides a foundation for this asking. That $5 in Bitcoin isn't just a donation; it's a tool, a resource that helps these mothers begin to build. It empowers them to not only ask for their immediate needs but also to start dreaming bigger, to plan for the future, and to understand that their efforts, combined with clarity and belief, can bring about remarkable change.

The world applauds those who take action. And taking action often starts with the simple, yet profound, act of asking. For our Bitcoin Babies mothers, it's a vital lesson for navigating life and building a future for their families. It's a testament to the fact that when you know what you want and you have the courage to ask for it, incredible things can begin to unfold.

<https://youtu.be/uOcKF-aLHyw?feature=shared>

@ d6affa19:9110b177

If there were only one thing I had to list as the single most effective way to improve a Female Led Relationship (FLR), it would be found in the phrase “yes, Ma’am.” Whether trying to get the dynamic off the ground or keep it going during the grind of everyday life, this phrase—and the energy it evokes—encompasses so many essential elements of an FLR. In my experience, not many other things continuously breathe life into a relationship like the magic of “yes, Ma’am.”

Of course, this phrase can be modified to the Woman’s desire (“yes, Mistress,” “yes, my Queen,” “yes, Goddess” are common examples), but “yes, Ma’am” is something acceptable nearly anywhere. It’s simple, polite, somewhat discreet, and yet extremely effective and powerful. In an FLR (even in a low-protocol dynamic), the phrase is elevated from a basic formality to an invocation of trust, respect, and surrender.

The words by themselves are powerless. But when consistently expressed with the right energy and intention, it becomes a sort of miniature ritual that keeps them both anchored to the relationship. This shouldn’t be conflated with “yes, Dear,” a phrase stereotypically used when a man is merely appeasing a Woman. No, the energy here is not to appease, but to please. Because She deserves it.

To illustrate this further, let’s dig into the depth I find in these two words.

An Invocation of Structure, Trust, and Identity

“Yes, Ma’am” is so deceptively simple. It’s a verbal expression of his obedience—the bare minimum a Woman should receive in an FLR. And it keeps the framework intact in everyday life, especially when the mood is subtle or non-sexual.

In this way, “yes, Ma’am” reinforces the foundation of the FLR. Each utterance reminds them both of their positions. Each declaration quiets any confusion. Each delivery deepens the dynamic and tightens the structure.

When these words are spoken and consistently followed up with action, they demonstrate emotional maturity—that he’s moved beyond questioning whether She’s “right” and into the realm of devotion. It signals to Her that Her needs don’t have to be proven to him anymore and that Her preferences don’t need to be justified.

He’s no longer debating Her logic, making excuses, or searching for loopholes; he’s no longer resisting or self-protecting. He’s not agreeing as an equal, he’s not negotiating with Her, he’s not hedging Her demand. He is simply submitting to Her.

Just as it’s “yes, Ma’am” when She tells him to kneel, it’s also “yes, Ma’am” when She asks him to fix the sink, or dismisses a request, or even reminds him to do something he’s about to do. “Yes, Ma’am,” then act.

The Words Alone Are Not the Magic

Again, the magic of “yes, Ma’am” doesn’t reside in the words themselves, but in the intention, energy, and action behind them. The phrase itself is just a vessel. Just as a chalice, the words hold something sacred, but the sanctity resides in the wine, not the cup. The action, the delivery, and the consistency are what give the phrase its power.

If spoken with resentment, sarcasm, or with no follow-through, they mean nothing. If he speaks them but then delays, argues, or makes excuses, then his submission is inauthentic. This undermines trust and, ultimately, the relationship. But when he says “yes, Ma’am” and immediately acts on Her direction—despite being tired, flustered, aroused, or even in disagreement, then that is real submission; that is profound trust. And that is what She feels.

And that’s what he feels. It becomes a reminder of his humility and an expression of self-discipline in service to Her. Over time, it shifts his thought patterns and instincts. He may feel uncertainty, self-pity, or insecurity, but “yes, Ma’am” melts it all into clarity. Old responses like “Well, actually…” “Can’t I just…” “I thought we agreed…” “Why can’t You…” are simply replaced with “yes, Ma’am.”

Even if he’s feeling exhausted, annoyed, or needy. There are no complaints or explanations, only Her will and a choice to put aside his ego, align with Her rhythm, and re-center his purpose. This is an act of vulnerability. He is placing his emotional safety in Her hands and relying on Her to care for his well-being.

It communicates to Her:
- “I hear You.”
- “I will act on Your desires.”
- “I trust You more than I trust my resistance.”
- “I’m Yours, even now, especially now.”

And let’s not ignore the erotic undertones in this depth of surrender. A simple phrase makes his discipline audible, echoing Her power. It bears his humility, longing, eagerness, vulnerability—his contained arousal. And She knows. She hears the plea. She feels the weight—the tension—the heat—the surrendered will… Ever-present, even in the most mundane moments…

Closing Thoughts

Of course, this level of devotion takes practice and a great deal of trust. No one is perfect, so he will fail at times, but that’s what makes it so beautiful—it’s a continuously active and conscious choice. And, at first, it may sound awkward for him or forced, but with dedication and intention She will begin to hear the tone, feel the vibe, and sense the sincerity in it. This energy is what builds Her trust in him.

This phrase, or rather the mindset behind it, has improved my own relationship so, so much. While it may not fit into every experience, it’s something that I discovered was a missing piece in mine. Enough so that I felt compelled to share.

Because as a relationship goes on, things change—passions fluctuate, pain resurfaces, doubts arise, life gets busy, things get heavy—but “yes, Ma’am” remains steady and intimate. Piece by piece trust and devotion are built with thousands of quiet yeses. And regardless of the circumstances, “yes, Ma’am” gently whispers “this is still us; this is still our shared truth; this is still sacred” over and over again.

@ 5627e59c:d484729e

Here's to the ones who can\ Feel their cause\ Surrender\ Change their ways\ But keep their fire\ And never give up

We will transform this world\ Restructuring\ One belief at a time

@ c4f5e7a7:8856cac7

I've managed to amass three SN profiles.

Is there a way to combined these?

@k00b @ek

https://stacker.news/items/995836

@ cae03c48:2a7d6671

Bitcoin Magazine

Sberbank, Russia’s Biggest Bank, Launches Structured Bond Tied to Bitcoin 

Sberbank, the largest bank in Russia, has launched a new structured bond that ties investor returns to the performance of Bitcoin and the U.S. dollar-to-ruble exchange rate. This new financial product represents one of the first moves by a major Russian institution to offer Bitcoin-linked investments under recently updated national regulations.

BREAKING: Russia's largest bank Sberbank launches structured bonds linked to Bitcoin. pic.twitter.com/LtD26jPS0x

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) June 2, 2025

The structured bond is initially available over the counter to a limited group of qualified investors. According to the announcement, it allows investors to earn based on two factors: the price performance of BTC in U.S. dollars and any strengthening of the dollar compared to the Russian ruble.

Unlike typical Bitcoin investments, this product does not require the use of a Bitcoin wallet or foreign platforms. “All transactions [are] processed in rubles within Russia’s legal and infrastructure systems,” Sberbank stated, highlighting compliance with domestic financial protocols.

In addition to the bond, Sberbank has announced plans to launch similar structured investment products with Bitcoin exposure on the Moscow Exchange. The bank also revealed it will introduce a Bitcoin futures product via its SberInvestments platform on June 4, aligning with the product’s debut on the Moscow Exchange.

These developments follow a recent policy change by the Bank of Russia, which now permits financial institutions to offer Bitcoin-linked instruments to qualified investors. This shift opens the door for Bitcoin within the country’s traditional financial markets.

While Russia has previously taken a cautious approach to digital assets, Sberbank’s launch of a Bitcoin-linked bond and upcoming futures product marks a new phase of adoption—one that blends Bitcoin exposure with existing financial infrastructure.

The bank’s structured bond may signal a growing interest in regulated access to Bitcoin, especially within large financial institutions.

This post Sberbank, Russia’s Biggest Bank, Launches Structured Bond Tied to Bitcoin  first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.

@ 5627e59c:d484729e

Love, I thank you for your warmth\ Ever lifting

You keep me charmed\ Ever drifting

May I be me\ And you be you

In a perfect harmony\ Embracing all life makes us grow through

@ 5627e59c:d484729e

Jaren tellen\ Hoeft voor mij niet

Verhalen vertellen\ Over geluk en verdriet

Een warme haven\ Veilig en fijn

Dromen voorgedragen\ Onschuldig en rein

Momenten ervaard, geleerd\ En geïntegreerd

Ideeën, geloven en gevoelens\ Gevormd en gecreëerd

Zonder eind of echt begin\ Vallen, groeien, leren, stoeien

Een gezin in een gezin met een gezin erin\ Gezind gericht blijft liefde vloeien

@ 5627e59c:d484729e

My life is my way Home\ My death is my arrival

I can't wait to be Home\ And so I love life

I can't wait to be Home\ And so I want to live to the fullest

For there are no shortcuts

Many people die\ And never make it Home

They will have to wait\ For another chance to die

Another chance to live fully\ And die totally

I'm so thankful to be alive\ I'm on my way Home

I'm so thankful to be alive\ To have another chance to die

Every day I take a step\ In the direction of my death\ I do not postpone it

Every day I take a step\ In the direction of my truth\ I do not avoid it

It is who I am, always have been\ And always will be

It lies beyond that door\ That keeps everything in check

Where only can go through\ Which is forever true

@ f1989a96:bcaaf2c1

Good morning, readers!

This week, we begin in Kenya, where police detained Rose Njeri, a software developer and mother of two, for building a website that enables Kenyans to flag causes and email parliament concerning an unpopular tax bill that threatens to raise the cost of living in an already inflation-sticky economy. Due to the holiday court calendar, Njeri remains behind bars awaiting criminal prosecution for what officials claim interfered with government systems, but was really a peaceful resistance to unfavorable economic policy.\ \ To a similar tune, in Venezuela, law enforcement stormed the home of Guillermo Goncalves, co-founder of El Dorado, a peer-to-peer trading app used by Venezuelans to exchange rapidly depreciating bolivares for stablecoins (digital tokens pegged to fiat currency like the US dollar). The El Dorado app filled a gap in Venezuela’s collapsing economy: offering a market-based exchange rate for bolivars and access to more stable currencies.\ \ In freedom tech news, Breez, a company building on the Lightning Network, added support for BOLT 12 and BIP 353 to its Nodeless Software Development Kit (SDK). This will enable wallets powered by the Breez Nodeless SDK to implement these features. BIP 353 makes it easier for activists and NGOs with an Internet domain to receive Bitcoin donations. And BOLT 12 brings greater privacy and efficiency to Bitcoin’s Lightning Network.\ \ We end with an interview with Hong Kong dissident Nathan Law, who turned to Bitcoin to stay active in his push for freedom and democracy in the wake of China’s authoritarian crackdown.

Now, let’s take a closer look.

SUBSCRIBE HERE

GLOBAL NEWS

Kenya | Criminal Prosecution of Software Developer

In Nairobi, Kenya, law enforcement raided the home of software developer Rose Njeri and took her into custody. Her alleged crime: building a platform that lets Kenyans review and email their elected representatives concerning an unpopular tax bill threatening to raise their cost of living. On May 30, 15 officers stormed her home without a warrant, seized her devices, and detained her incommunicado for more than 88 hours. Officials claim her web tool, which auto-generated feedback emails to Kenyan parliament, illegally interfered with government systems. Outside the police station, many Kenyans gathered in protest, demanding her immediate release. Last year, a similar finance bill triggered mass demonstrations and a brutal crackdown that left dozens dead. Njeri’s arrest shows the growing risks civic technologists face and depicts the growing trend of using state power to suppress peaceful pushback to unfavorable economic policy.

Venezuela | National Police Raid Home of El Dorado Founder

Venezuela’s National Police stormed the home of Guillermo Goncalves, co-founder of El Dorado, a peer-to-peer trading app used by Venezuelans to exchange rapidly depreciating bolivares for stablecoins like Tether (USDT) and Circle (USDC). The platform filled a critical gap: offering market-based pricing for bolivares and access to more stable currency. Nonetheless, the regime accuses Goncalves of fueling currency speculation, pointing to past comments where Goncalves highlighted the disconnect between the “official” exchange rate of the bolivar, as set by the Central Bank of Venezuela, and the parallel market rate. The arrests of those publishing truthful economic data and providing alternatives to 162% inflation under the guise of “stability” are hallmarks of a dictatorship that destroyed its currency and is now hunting down those trying to survive outside its system.

Tanzania | Blocks Access to X and Telegram Amid Financial, Political, and Media Repression

Tanzania restricted access to X and Telegram across major Internet providers following a hack of the Tanzanian police force’s official account. The platforms remain offline more than three weeks later in the lead-up to October’s presidential and parliamentary elections. The timing of the shutdown also coincides with the kidnapping of Ugandan journalist, lawyer, and Oslo Freedom Forum speaker Agather Atuhaire, who says she was tortured and sexually assaulted while in Tanzanian custody before being left at the border between Tanzania and Uganda. Recently, the government also banned the use of foreign currency in daily transactions, forcing citizens to rely on the weakening Tanzanian shilling. And in April, the opposition CHADEMA party was disqualified from participating in the October elections under the pretense of treason against party leader Tundu Lissu. The censorship of online platforms, suppression of opposition and dissidents, and laws banning foreign currency all signal a coordinated strategy to silence criticism and strip Tanzanians of both their political voice and financial autonomy.

Russia | Proposes Relocating Bitcoin Miners

Russia’s energy ministry is considering relocating Bitcoin miners to northern regions, where old energy infrastructure sits idle and the state can keep a closer eye. The plan comes months after the Kremlin banned mining across ten southern regions (including Dagestan and Chechnya), citing fears over energy shortages. But the ban has chiefly targeted individual and small-scale miners, not state-aligned corporations. Many independent miners, especially in poorer regions, used Bitcoin to escape financial isolation. Now, they’re being squeezed out in favor of top-down regulations. As the Kremlin tightens its grip on domestic energy and economic activity, it’s clear that the regime sees Bitcoin not as a tool for freedom but as something to be contained, regulated, and surveilled.

Israel | Freezes Bank Account of NGO Providing Aid in Palestine

Physicians for Human Rights Israel, a nonprofit providing medical aid in the West Bank and Gaza, has revealed that its bank accounts were frozen at the beginning of the year. The nonprofit, which previously ran regular medical missions in Palestine, says it was first blocked from making transactions, then warned by its bank, and finally notified in January that its account would be closed. These banking restrictions are not isolated. According to Lee Caspie, the deputy director of physicians for Human Rights Israel, other Israeli nonprofits providing aid to Palestinians receive similar financial treatment. Caspie shared that a new bill advancing would also impose an 80% tax on foreign grants to Israeli charities, with an exemption for those deemed acceptable by the government. These measures threaten to worsen a humanitarian crisis by leaving civil society organizations providing crucial support and services in Palestine financially cut off.

Hungary | Postpones Law That Would Ban Foreign-Funded Organizations

In a small win for civil society in Hungary, Viktor Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party postponed a vote on a sweeping bill that would grant the Orbán regime power to monitor, penalize, and potentially shut down any organization receiving foreign funds. Framed as protecting “sovereignty,” the proposal closely mirrors Russia’s foreign agent law and has been widely condemned as a death blow to Hungary’s independent institutions, media, and dissidents. While officials now say they need more time to “debate the means,” critics warn the delay is a tactical move, not a change of heart. The bill casts an intentionally wide net, branding foreign-backed efforts to defend press freedom and LGBTQ+ rights as threats to national identity and political discourse. “Its aim is to silence all critical voices and eliminate what remains of Hungarian democracy once and for all,” according to a joint statement signed by more than 300 civil society and media organizations.

BITCOIN AND FREEDOM TECH NEWS

Breez | Adds BOLT 12 and BIP 353 Support to Nodeless SDK

Breez, a company helping build out the Bitcoin Lightning economy, released support for BOLT 12 and BIP 353, enabling wallets using the Breez Nodeless SDK (such as Misty Breez and Klever) to implement these features. BOLT 12 is a critical update to the Lightning Network that brings increased privacy and greater censorship resistance to Bitcoin transactions for those facing financial repression. It also introduces reusable payment requests for recurring payments (such as tips and donations to human rights defenders). BIP 353 enables individuals and organizations with access to a domain the ability to create static, human-readable payment addresses (such as user@domain) for Bitcoin payments. With this integration, NGOs or activists with an internet domain and wallet using the Breez SDK can receive uncensorable donations through their domain in an accessible way. Implementing these new Bitcoin features will provide users with greater financial freedom and autonomy under authoritarian regimes.

BTCNutServer | Accept Ecash Payments with BTCPay Server

A new experimental plugin called BTCNutServer is attempting to bring ecash payments to BTCPay Server. The idea is to allow users to accept Cashu ecash tokens alongside Bitcoin using BTCPay Server’s self-custodial and self-hosted infrastructure. Ecash specifically is a digital money system backed by Bitcoin and designed to offer instant, low-cost, and very private transactions. For activists and dissidents, ecash enables bitcoin payments without compromising financial privacy. But users must trust mints (entities that manage and issue ecash tokens) to custody their funds. Though still in early development, BTCNutServer could enable charities, nonprofits, and merchants in repressive countries to accept ecash through BTCPay Server and, in doing so, keep their financial activity hidden from state surveillance.

Private Pond | New Experimental Payjoin System

Private Pond is a new experimental project that builds upon the Payjoin protocol to improve both the privacy and efficiency of Bitcoin transactions. Payjoin works by mixing inputs of a bitcoin payment with inputs from the recipient, making it harder for outside observers to trace who paid whom. Private Pond takes this concept further: it is an application designed to optimize Bitcoin transaction rails (such as a platform’s deposits and withdrawals). It uses transaction batching to bundle many deposits and withdrawals into a single transaction, using incoming deposits to fund outgoing withdrawals. While it’s not production-ready, if Private Pond were implemented in other applications, it could lower fees, create stronger privacy, and expose fewer funds. Innovations like this help strengthen Bitcoin’s original purpose: a financial network that resists censorship and surveillance while staying efficient and scalable.

Chorus.Community | New Social App for Activists

Chorus.Community is a new social app introduced at the 2025 Oslo Freedom Forum that is designed for people who operate under surveillance or censorship. Developed on permissionless technologies like Bitcoin and Nostr, Chorus allows users to share updates, send voice notes, organize groups, and raise funds, all without needing an email, phone number, or approval from any central authority. Unlike traditional platforms, Chorus cannot easily be blocked or shut down. Future updates will include encrypted messaging and group features, further enhancing security. For activists, journalists, and organizers working in closed societies, Chorus offers a new way to stay connected, coordinate, and support one another. Human rights defenders can try it here.

Bitcoin Policy Institute | Upcoming Bitcoin Policy Summit

The Bitcoin Policy Institute will be hosting its third annual Bitcoin Policy Summit from June 25-26 in Washington, DC, bringing together lawmakers, academics, and advocates to help shape and understand the future of Bitcoin policy in the US. A highlight of the event will be HRF’s chief strategy officer, Alex Gladstein’s keynote, “Bitcoin is the Most Powerful Human Rights Tool of the 21st Century,” which will explain Bitcoin’s growing role in resisting authoritarianism and protecting civil liberties worldwide. Learn more about the event here.

HRF | Gifts 800 Million Satoshis to 22 Freedom Projects Worldwide

HRF gifted 800 million satoshis in its Q2 2025 round of Bitcoin Development Fund (BDF) grants, supporting 22 open-source freedom projects worldwide. These projects advance Bitcoin education, open-source software, mining decentralization, and privacy tools for activists contending with authoritarian regimes and dictatorships across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Supporting censorship-resistant financial tools and permissionless technologies like Bitcoin, Nostr, ecash, Tor, VPNs, and more empowers dissidents, journalists, and civil society to organize, transact, communicate, and speak without state suppression, interference, or manipulation. Learn more about the grantees and their work here. This round of grants also marks the 5-year anniversary of the Bitcoin Development Fund! Watch our anniversary announcement video to celebrate this milestone with us.

OpenSats | Announces 11th Wave of Bitcoin Grants

OpenSats, a public nonprofit funding free and open-source software, announced its 11th wave of grants advancing the Bitcoin protocol as a tool for financial freedom. Among the projects, Mostro and Payjoin stand out for their importance to dissidents and anyone seeking greater financial sovereignty. Mostro is a peer-to-peer Bitcoin exchange protocol built on nostr, allowing users to trade Bitcoin directly without relying on centralized intermediaries that can be surveilled, censored, or shut down. Meanwhile, Payjoin enhances Bitcoin transaction privacy by breaking common heuristics used to trace payments, making it harder for authoritarian surveillance tools to identify payees and the amount transacted. Together, these tools give people living under repressive regimes more private, resilient ways to save and transact.

RECOMMENDED CONTENT

Nathan Law on Hong Kong’s Fight for Freedom, Bitcoin, and Lessons for the West with Ben Perrin

In this interview with Bitcoin educator Ben Perrin (BTC Sessions), exiled Hong Kong activist Nathan Law reveals how Bitcoin became a critical tool for resisting financial blacklisting under China’s authoritarian crackdown. With a $140,000 bounty on his head and no access to traditional banking, Law turned to Bitcoin to stay active in his push for freedom and democracy. Watch the full conversation here.

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

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

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

Subscribe to newsletter

Apply for a grant

Support our work

Visit our website

@ 523a8281:fc94329a

In the dynamic and rapidly evolving blockchain industry over the past decade, Gerald Check has become one of the most influential investors in the Web3 space, thanks to his visionary foresight and a series of successful strategic moves. From his role as an executive at global leading exchanges like Binance and MEXC, he transitioned into becoming the founder of the top investment firm, GC Capital. Gerald Check's career trajectory is essentially the evolution of Web3 capital power.

From Platform Executive to Industry Evangelist

Gerald Check previously served as the Strategic Vice President at Binance and Global Market Director at MEXC. During his time at these platforms, he witnessed and participated in the entire process of crypto assets, from early speculative hype to their gradual shift toward real-world industrial applications. Starting in 2020, he began to focus more on Web3 infrastructure development and early-stage project incubation, believing that the next trillion-dollar opportunity would emerge at the intersection of "deep value and real-world application scenarios."

"I don’t want to be just a decision-maker on the platform, I want to be the force that drives the industry forward," Gerald Check said in an interview. Driven by this philosophy, GC Capital was born. Unlike traditional investment banks, GC Capital positions itself as a "strategically-driven partnership capital" firm: it not only provides funding but also participates in projects with its team, ecosystem resources, and operational capabilities, becoming a long-term co-builder. "Capital should not just focus on returns, it should empower the team," emphasized Gerald Check. In its two years of existence, GC Capital has invested in and incubated dozens of early-stage Web3 projects across sectors such as DeFi, GameFi, AI, and RWA, all of which have achieved impressive results. Driving Hit Projects: The "Talent Scout’s Eye" Behind the Scenes

Perhaps the most representative project is MetaMars. This metaverse ecosystem project, co-incubated by GC Capital and M3 DAO, has seen its token MARS increase by more than 35 times since its launch, with a monthly surge of up to 400%, making it a classic example of combining Web3 community operation and product. "We started getting involved before the concept was fully formed, not just investing money but working alongside the team to refine the economic model and optimize the launch rhythm," Gerald mentioned. Additionally, GC Capital invested in the decentralized AI cloud gaming platform DeepLink. The project integrates AI, blockchain, and streaming, and has been dubbed "Steam+Teamviewer of the Web3 Era." M3 DAO then formed a strategic partnership to co-build a Web3 gaming experience ecosystem. Projects like Voopay, LoserChick, and Rocket have also seen explosive growth with GC Capital's support, validating the team's ability to identify and accelerate early-stage projects. Co-building with M3 DAO: From Investor to Core Ecosystem Member Among all the collaborations, the deep partnership between GC Capital and M3 DAO stands out. Gerald himself entered the M3 DAO core team as a co-CEO, driving the upgrades of infrastructures like MarsVerse and MarsChain. The two parties also jointly promoted the $200 million Phuket RWA Resort Project, marking the first realization of the "Web3+Gaming+Tourism" industry fusion model, injecting digital vitality into physical assets. "We aim not only to invest in the future on-chain but also to reconstruct off-chain economic models," said Gerald Check. Gerald Check’s Future Vision: Long-Termism and Global Layout

Gerald is working to expand GC Capital’s international presence. In the next three years, GC will establish regional incubation centers in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe and launch the "Web3 Global Investors Academy" to create a support system that integrates technology, capital, and community. At the same time, he is also looking for the next generation of Web3 entrepreneurs who are persistent, understand users, and are willing to co-build. "Web3 is not a speculative game, but an opportunity to reconstruct the order. We are willing to go through the cycles with great teams," this is one of Gerald Check’s most frequently quoted phrases. In this era of accelerating change, Gerald Check and GC Capital are gradually becoming an important bridge connecting capital with industry, imagination with reality. GC Capital official website: https://gc.capital/

@ cae03c48:2a7d6671

Bitcoin Magazine

Sberbank, Russia’s Biggest Bank, Launches Structured Bond Tied to Bitcoin 

Sberbank, the largest bank in Russia, has launched a new structured bond that ties investor returns to the performance of Bitcoin and the U.S. dollar-to-ruble exchange rate. This new financial product represents one of the first moves by a major Russian institution to offer Bitcoin-linked investments under recently updated national regulations.

BREAKING: Russia's largest bank Sberbank launches structured bonds linked to Bitcoin. pic.twitter.com/LtD26jPS0x

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) June 2, 2025

The structured bond is initially available over the counter to a limited group of qualified investors. According to the announcement, it allows investors to earn based on two factors: the price performance of BTC in U.S. dollars and any strengthening of the dollar compared to the Russian ruble.

Unlike typical Bitcoin investments, this product does not require the use of a Bitcoin wallet or foreign platforms. “All transactions [are] processed in rubles within Russia’s legal and infrastructure systems,” Sberbank stated, highlighting compliance with domestic financial protocols.

In addition to the bond, Sberbank has announced plans to launch similar structured investment products with Bitcoin exposure on the Moscow Exchange. The bank also revealed it will introduce a Bitcoin futures product via its SberInvestments platform on June 4, aligning with the product’s debut on the Moscow Exchange.

These developments follow a recent policy change by the Bank of Russia, which now permits financial institutions to offer Bitcoin-linked instruments to qualified investors. This shift opens the door for Bitcoin within the country’s traditional financial markets.

While Russia has previously taken a cautious approach to digital assets, Sberbank’s launch of a Bitcoin-linked bond and upcoming futures product marks a new phase of adoption—one that blends Bitcoin exposure with existing financial infrastructure.

The bank’s structured bond may signal a growing interest in regulated access to Bitcoin, especially within large financial institutions.

This post Sberbank, Russia’s Biggest Bank, Launches Structured Bond Tied to Bitcoin  first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.

@ 69eea734:4ae31ae6

Vor ein paar Tagen stieß ich auf einen faszinierenden Artikel von Michel Bauwens, Mitbegründer der P2PFoundation, mit Links zu weiteren Texten – zum Beispiel über den Puls der Commons –, die ich ebenfalls äußerst interessant fand.

Der Artikel zeigt unter anderem gut, wie unterschiedlich Commons aussehen können, so dass ich ihn heute als Ausgangspunkt nehmen möchte, um ein paar Puzzle-Steine in mein entstehendes Bild der Commons einzufügen.

Das Grundmuster menschlichen Zusammenlebens?

Bauwens betrachtet die Commons aus historischer Sicht, wie sie sich in verschiedenen Zeiten unterschiedlich manifestieren, manchmal gar nahezu verschwinden und heute in wiederum veränderter Form neu entstehen – und warum sie noch weit stärker werden sollten.

Er legt zunächst dar, was die Commons sind und was nicht. (zum Beispiel nichts, was vom Staat verwaltet wird, wie ein öffentlicher Park) Ausschlaggebend ist, dass eine Ressource von ihren Herstellern oder Benutzern selbst betreut wird. Commons entstehen dabei durch Beziehungen. Sie sind etwas spezifisch Menschliches und eine Wahl, die „fast immer“ zur Verfügung steht, so Bauwens. Eine die Geschichte überdauernde menschliche Praxis.

Er nennt drei verschiedene geschichtlichen Entwicklungen:

• Eine lineare - Wie präsentiert sich der Commons über verschiedene, komplexer werdende, Phasen der Menschheitsgeschichte hinweg?
• Eine hin und her schwingendende: In der Geschichte einer Zivilisation werden die Commons in Zeiten von Überfluss -- und daraus resultierender Verschwendung uns steigender Ressourcen-Extraktion -- unterdrückt, konstitutieren sich aber dann als Gegenbewegung wieder neu.
• Eine stufenweise: Die heutigen, mit neuen Möglichkeiten ausgestatteten Formen der Commons könnten in der nächsten Phase unserer Zivilisation (oder nach unserer Zivilisation) eine entscheidende Rolle spielen.

Wenn man verschiedene Arten des Austausches betrachtet (Bauwens beruft sich hier auf Alan Fiske), kann man geschichtlich analysieren, welche dieser Muster zu verschiedenen Zeiten vorrangig waren (dies tat Kojin Karatani in The Structure of World History von 2014).

Die vier Muster sind:

• Gemeinschaftliche Beteiligung, Commons (die Gemeinschaft baut mir ein Haus, und ich helfe später bei einem anderen Hausbau mit; ein Beispiel aus neuerer Zeit ist die Entwicklung von Linux)
• Wechselseitiger Austausch (Geschenkökonomie – es wird eine etwa gleichwertige Leistung zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt erwartet)
• Hierarchisch bedingte Verteilung, wie im Feudalismus
• Marktwirtschaft: Es gibt ein allgemeines Zahlungsmittel mit einem bestimmten Wert.

Bauwens: „Entscheidend ist jedoch, dass die Menschheit ständig bestrebt ist, Modus A wiederherzustellen, denn die Menschen haben eine kulturelle und wahrscheinlich auch allgemeine Vorliebe für ein geselliges Leben in kleinen, vertrauten Gruppen. Aber menschliche Gruppen versuchen, dies auf jeweils höheren Komplexitätsebenen zu tun, in einem ständigen Versuch, die extraktive Logik der Zivilisation zu mäßigen.“ (Katarani bezeichnet eine Verbindung von Commoning und Geschenkökonomie in stammesorientierten Kulturen als Modus A)

Commons durch die Zeiten - ein kurzer Abriss

In der ursprünglichsten Form der Commons in Jäger- und Sammler-Gemeinschaften, werden Nahrung und sonstige Ressourcen mit der ganzen Gemeinschaft geteilt - dies ist zumindest die vorherrschende Form des Austauschs.

Im Zuge der Agrar-Revolution geht es um das gemeinsame Bewirtschaften von Flächen.

Im Mittelalter entwickelt sich in Europa das Feudalsystem. Auch hier werden manche Felder aber noch von den Dorfbewohnern gemeinsam verwaltet.

Ab dem 16. Jahrhundert fanden, am stärksten in England, die Enclosures (auf deutsch Einhegungen) statt. Das heißt, dass Felder zur effizienteren Bewirtschaftung von den Besitzern zusammengelegt und mit Zäunen versehen wurden.

Besonders im 19. Jahrhundert, mit dem Aufkommen der Industrialisierung, nahm diese Entwicklung immer stärker zu. Die landwirtschaftlichen Commons wurden dadurch weitgehend zerstört.

Im industriellen Kapitalismus, als die Arbeiter kaum Rechte hatten, und es auch um das bloße Überleben ging, entwickelte sich ein sozialer Commons Dieser bestand darin, dass sich die Arbeiter gegenseitig halfen und sich gegenseitig versicherten. Aus dieser Bewegung entstand dann der Sozialstaat. Der Staat übernahm also Aufgaben, die die Menschen zuvor füreinander geleistet hatten.

Man könnte daher sagen, dass im Kapitalismus die natürlichen Commons-Ressourcen privatisiert und die sozialen Commons verstaatlicht wurden.

In der Moderne waren sich viele Menschen der Bedeutung von Commons gar nicht mehr bewusst.

Mit dem Internet, dem World Wide Web und weiteren digitalen Techniken erschlossen sich dann neue Möglichkeiten. Mit Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) und Peer Production, sowie den Creative Commons Lizenzen, enstand eine neue Inkarnation der Commons. Und damit ist die Entwicklung noch nicht abgeschlossen...

Warum Commons nicht in ein Links-Rechts-Schema passen

Mit seinem Streifzug durch die Geschichte zeigt Bauwens, wie vielfältig die Commons sein können, und warum ihnen in der heutigen Zeit eine starke Rolle zukommen sollte. Nebenbei ergibt sich für mich auch, dass sie jenseits von linker oder rechter Ideologie liegen. Hierzu eine kurze Zwischenbetrachtung von mir:

Weil es um kollektives Handeln geht, und auch wegen des Namens („hört sich an wie Kommunismus“, meinte meine Mutter), entsteht leicht der Eindruck, es handele sich um ein besonders linksgerichtetes Phänomen.

Eine gut eingespielte Fußballmannschaft agiert auch als Kollektiv. Der Verein verwaltet vielleicht ein Clubhaus. Wohl kaum jemand würde deswegen den Verein als links bezeichnen.

Freilich sind die Mitglieder heutiger Commons-Bewegungen vorwiegend „progressiv“, zuweilen auf eine rigide Weise. Bauwens hat damit schon eine leidvolle Erfahrung gemacht. Aber Commons als soziales System sind es nicht. Dafür spricht allein schon die Tatsache, dass es sie viel länger gibt als die politische Links-Rechts-Einteilung.

Eine starke Rolle für die Commons

Wie steht es um die Commons heute? Das werde ich in weiteren Artikeln noch versuchen zu beleuchten.

Mir kommt gerade der Gedanke in den Sinn: Sie wachsen überall.

Wie oben erwähnt, enstand mit zunehmenden digitalen Möglichkeiten eine neue Form der Commons. Leider gab es hier auch moderne Formen der Einhegungen. Github wurde von Microsoft übernommen, der Sardex (alternatives lokales Wirtschaftsnetzwerk) anscheinend von einer Investment-Firma. AWS (Amazon Web Services) verleibt sich gerne woanders entwickelte Projekte ein und bietet sie als zahlungspflichtige Services an. Krypto wurde -- weitgehend -- "gekapert".

Aber zum einen gibt es nicht nur den digital basierten Commons, es entsteht schon viel auf anderer Ebene, und zum anderen sind Commoners erfinderische Menschen...

Michel Bauwens hat in seinen Artikeln im Übrigen noch mehr zu den heutigen Commons zu sagen. Inbesondere beführwortet er das Kosmo-Lokale (Cosmo-Local). Was leicht ist (Wissen) wird geteilt, was Gewicht hat (etwa landwirtschaftliche und andere Produktion), wird an lokale Gegebenheiten angepasst und vor Ort bewerkstelligt.

Und das Zusammenspiel von Digitalem und Materiellem verspricht weitere Möglichkeiten.

In jedem Fall haben die Commons eine ausgleichende, regenerierende Kraft, die wir aufgrund der heutigen vielen Kriesen gar nicht ungenützt lassen können, ganz unabhängig von unserer sozialer Ebene - das gilt auch für die Superreichen.

@ 5627e59c:d484729e

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, my dearest human family\ Happy New Year, my dearest animal family

Dear children of the Earth\ I wish you all a magical year

May it be utterly new\ Ever-changing\ New now

And may your journey say\ Life is amazing! I'm in a maze\ Life is awesome! Quite some awe\ Life is magical! True alchemy

I am human\ Black woman, I love you so\ Life-giver of my origin, the negro [nigiro]

I am\ Thus physical and non-physical meet

Life is to be\ As the elements are and compete\ And as they collide with one another\ One becomes aware of an other\ And so life sets on a journey\ To discover the other

Animal life is set to explore\ Allowing all experience the other has in store\ Life left to experience without a voice\ Until it discovers there is an 'I'\ And it has a choice

Human life is to be inside a human body\ Thus fusion between intellect and feeling\ Gets to express its perspective\ Inside infinity

Truly, a magical gift\ My Holy Trinity

And so from human life flow many voices\ As it navigates through infinite choices

Thus I say

Life is magic\ A gift for all that is here\ Perceived by too many as tragic\ Take care of your vision, I tell you, my dear [tell-a-vision]

Life is magic\ And words are spells\ Placing your aim beyond your reach\ It takes away efficiency from your speech

Life is magic\ Above all else\ Even when it has me feeling blue\ Seemingly left without a clue

Still I say

Perfection\ You are everything\ And I am of you

The source, the mirror\ And the reflection

@ 0b118e40:4edc09cb

The idea of Bitcoin as an internet native currency, and eventually a global one, is coming to life slowly. But historically, the idea of global currency has haunted the world’s financial imagination for nearly a century. 

From Keynes’s Bancor in 1944 to Zhou Xiaochuan’s post-crisis proposal in 2009 to today’s renewed debates, the idea resurfaces every time the global economy fractures. 

Could this time be different with Bitcoin? 

I decided to trace the idea of global currency through several decades and books. I may have missed some parts, so feel free to add. I’ll keep this brief and leave the books I’ve read below.

In the beginning

It all started on July 1, 1944. 730 delegates from 44 Allied nations, including major powers like the US, UK, Soviet Union, China, and France, gathered at the Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. They spent 2 weeks figuring out how the new international monetary and financial system would be, post WW2

After WW1, the treaty of Versailles was needed, but imposed harsh reparations that devastated economies and contributed to the rise of fascism, such as Hitler, Mussolini and gang. 

So when folks met up in 1944 (WW2 was almost ending), the goal was to prevent another Great Depression, another global conflict and build a stable global economic order. 

2 main proposals were discussed in Bretton Woods. 

1. John Maynard Keynes, representing the UK, proposed the creation of a global currency called Bancor. It will be issued through a global central bank known as the International Clearing Union (ICU).

2. Harry Dexter White, representing the US, promoted a dollar-based system. Countries would peg their currencies to the US. dollar backed by gold. He also led the creation of the IMF and the World Bank.

To understand how both of these proposals work, let's look at an example.

• Country A (Germany): Massive exporter

• Country B (USA): Massive importer

• Country C (Brazil): Balanced trade (imports = exports)

***Based on Dexter’s model and the current USD-based system, ***

Say Germany sells $1B worth of cars to the US. The US  pays in dollars, increasing its trade deficit. Germany accumulates dollars as reserves or buys the US Treasury bonds. Over time, the US continues running trade deficits, while Germany keeps hoarding dollars. Hence the  unsustainable debt of the US. 

***In Keynes’s Bancor system, ***

If Germany sells $1B worth of cars to the US, then the US does not pay in dollars. Instead, the ICU credits Germany with 1B Bancors and debits the US with -1B Bancors. 

The ICU police this. If Germany exceeds the surplus threshold, it pays interest or penalties to discourage hoarding. If the US exceeds its deficit threshold, it is warned to rebalance trade or face restrictions.

Here, Germany is incentivized to import more (e.g., from Brazil) or invest in global development. The US is encouraged to export more or reduce consumption. Brazil, with balanced trade, enjoys stability in Bancor flows and avoids pressure.

The idea behind Bancor was a zero-sum balancing act. No country could become “too big to fail” due to excessive deficits. But it was too complicated and idealistic in assuming every country could maintain balanced trade. 

Dexter on the other hand had a few tricks up his sleeve. In the end, Dexter’s USD dominance proposal was adopted. 

The Bretton Woods system established the US dollar as the central global currency 

Why did dollar dominance win over Bancor?

Simplicity often wins over complexity. But more so ICU felt too centralized, asking nations to surrender economic autonomy to a global body. That didn’t sit well in a post-war world where sovereignty was non-negotiable. That and idealist economic trade balance views. 

Dexter’s dollar-based system on the other hand wasn’t fair play at all. It was centralized and authoritarian in its design. 

So how did Dexter pull it off?

They had gold. They were ahead in economic recovery.

And they had nuclear weapons. 

At the time, the US held nearly 2/3 of the world’s gold reserves. It was a significant advantage in advocating for a gold-backed dollar as the bedrock of global trade. 

The US proposed a fixed gold peg at $35 per ounce.

From a broader geopolitical backdrop, the global population in 1944 was about 2.3 billion, a fraction of today’s 8 billion. The world was far less interconnected. The war had devastated Europe, Russia, and much of Asia. Infrastructure, economies, and entire cities were in ruins. The US, by contrast, had faced far fewer casualties and damages. Being geographically isolated, it had minimal domestic losses, around a tenth of what Europe suffered, and its economy was poised to rebuild faster. 

But gold dominance and economic recovery alone didn’t secure US financial dominance.

American scientific breakthroughs had already signaled global power. Physicists like Leo Szilard and Albert Einstein, who had fled Europe, helped develop nuclear weapons. Their intent was deterrence, not destruction. But once the bomb existed, it changed geopolitics overnight. The US had military dominance. And after Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, it became the undisputed superpower. 

In the end, the USD won and the vision for neutral global currency faded. 

And 20 years passed on…

France sends its warship to the US

Under Bretton Woods, countries could exchange dollars for gold, but the US had been printing more dollars than it had gold to back it. And it used it to fund the costly Vietnam War and domestic programs like the Great Society under LBJ. 

Belgian-American economist Robert Triffin pointed out a fatal flaw in the Bretton Woods system that came to be known as the Triffin dilemma. 

• The world needed US dollars for liquidity and trade.

• But the more dollars the US pumped out, the less credible its gold promise became.

Yet the US kept promising that every dollar was still convertible to gold at $35 per ounce.

French President Charles de Gaulle saw this as financial imperialism. He called it the  “exorbitant privileged position”. The world had to pay for what they bought with the money they have, but not the US. 

So in 1965, France did something unexpected. It sent a warship to New York Harbor to physically retrieve French gold reserves held by the Federal Reserve. 

Would it have escalated to war? Maybe. But likely not. It was perhaps more of a diplomatic theatre and a sovereign flex. France was exercising its right under the Bretton Woods agreement to convert dollars into gold. But doing it with military formality was to send a signal to the world that they don’t trust the US system anymore.

It was one of the first major public blows to the dollar’s credibility. And France wasn’t alone. Other countries like West Germany and Switzerland followed suit, redeeming dollars for gold and draining US reserves.

The Nixon shock

Given they did not have enough gold, the IMF introduced Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) in 1969. SDRs were an international reserve asset, created to supplement gold and dollar reserves. Instead of relying solely on the US dollar, SDRs were based on a basket of major currencies (originally gold-backed but later diversified).

The idea was to reduce the world’s dependence on the dollar and avoid a liquidity crisis. But SDRs were a little too late and a little too weak to solve the underlying problem.

By 1971, the US could no longer sustain the illusion. President Nixon “closed the gold window,” suspending dollar convertibility to gold. 

The Bretton Woods collapsed and this marked the beginning of fiat money dominance.

The French pursuit

While France demanded justice in one corner of the world, the French franc, specifically the CFA franc, has been dominant in parts of Africa since 1945, long before 1971.

After WWII, France created two CFA franc zones:

• West Africa: Communauté Financière Africaine (XOF)

• Central Africa: Coopération Financière en Afrique Centrale (XAF)

These zones included 14 African countries, many of which were former French colonies. France maintained monetary control via currency convertibility guarantees and representation in African central banks. Till today it has influence over these country’s monetary policy.

Colonisation hasn't ended in some parts of the world. 

Did countries stop using the USD after the Nixon shock 1971?

Nope. The US dollar was no longer convertible to gold and it dismantled the fixed exchange rate system. But most countries did not stop using the USD as their dominant reserve or trade currency. There were no decent alternatives. Instead, they floated their currencies or maintained a soft peg to the dollar or a basket of currencies. 

The USD remained dominant in oil trade (OPEC priced oil in USD) - petrodollar deal, global debt markets and FX reserves (central banks kept holding USD). 

In 1997, when many Southeast Asian countries were still pegged to the USD, Soros claimed that SEA will tank. The US further increased its credit rates leading to capital flight and eventual tanking of these countries leading to Asian Financial Crisis '97. Many financial crisis has similar vibe.

The 1999 Euro launch

The idea of a shared currency appeared again, this time through the forms of Euro. It was a mandatory system for member states of the Eurozone, and came with centralized authority, the European Central Bank (ECB), which controlled monetary policy for all participating nations.

At first glance, the euro seemed like a win. It eliminated exchange rate fluctuations, making trade within the Eurozone smoother. It gave weaker economies access to lower borrowing costs and helped Europe establish itself as a financial heavyweight. Today, the euro is the second most-used reserve currency after the US dollar.

But it came at a cost. Countries that adopted the euro lost monetary sovereignty and could no longer print their own money or adjust interest rates to respond to local crises. This became painfully clear during Greece’s debt crisis, where strict monetary policies prevented the country from devaluing its currency to recover. The one-size-fits-all approach meant that economies as different as Germany and Greece had to follow the same rules, often to the detriment of weaker nations. Debt-ridden countries like Italy and Spain were forced into harsh austerity measures because they could not manipulate their currency to ease financial strain. Meanwhile, richer nations like Germany and the Netherlands felt they were unfairly propping up struggling economies, creating political tension across the EU.

In recent years, the euro has faced pressure from global trade tensions, monetary tightening, and geopolitical instability contributing to market volatility and periodic depreciation against other major currencies.

The Bretton Woods 2.0

Believe it or not, after all that, there was a call for Bretton Woods 2.0. Yet another global currency dream.

When the housing market collapsed in 2008 followed by a series of domino effects, global banks froze lending, economies contracted, and panic set in. The crisis exposed how fragile the international financial system had become as it was overly reliant on debt, under-regulated, and centered around the US dollar.

Many countries, especially in the Global South and emerging markets, started to question whether a system built around a single national currency was sustainable. 

China, for instance, had been holding huge amounts of US debt while the US printed more dollars through bailouts and quantitative easing. This created global imbalances as exporting nations were lending money to the US to keep the system running, while taking on the risk of dollar depreciation. 

In 2009, China’s central bank openly proposed replacing the US dollar with a neutral global reserve currency suggesting SDRs (Special Drawing Rights) issued by the IMF instead.

These concerns led to a wave of calls from world leaders for a “Bretton Woods 2.0” ,  a modern rethinking of the post-WWII economic order. At G20 summits in London in 2009, countries like France, China, and Russia pushed for reforms in global financial institutions and more balanced power sharing. 

In the end, the IMF received more funding, and some banking regulations were tightened in the years after. But no real overhaul happened. No surprise there? The dollar remained dominant. 

The foundation of the global economy didn’t change, even though trust in it had been deeply shaken.

The growth of BRICS

In 2023, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa began discussing the idea of a shared currency or alternative mechanism to reduce the dependence on USD ie de-dollarisation. The sanctions on Russia didn't help. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the US and its allies froze Russia’s dollar reserves and cut it off from SWIFT, the “backbone of global banking communication”. This made one thing clear. If you fall out with Washington, your access to the global economy can vanish overnight.

China’s growing economic power also gave it more leverage to process alternative options. It would trade in Yuan with Russia and Iran.

I know many still say it's at its early stage, but I see many countries hedging their bets quietly and aligning with Putin and Xi. It became more obvious after US imposed tariffs on multiple nations, signaling that economic tools can double as political weapons. The world’s second financial system is slowly forming.

What is the world looking for, for the last century ?

From Bretton Woods to multiple financial crises, from the birth of the Euro to the rise of BRICS, through war and peace, we’ve been circling around the same ideal. A global currency that is :

1. Simple 

2. Free from dominant power 

3. Decentralised

4. Borderless

5. Scarce 

6. Transparent 

7. Inclusive, with self custody

8. Resilient in crisis 

9. Built for individual financial sovereignty

10. A new backbone for global finance, owned by no one

It doesn’t matter where you’re from, what politics you believe in, or how your economy leans. The answer keeps pointing in the same direction:

Bitcoin

This is the first true global currency.

And it’s just there 

Waiting...

.

.

.

---

Some books that might interest you :

1. The Battle of Bretton Woods by Benn Steil

2. Goodbye, Great Britain by Kathleen Burk and Alec Cairncross

3. The Ghost of Bancor by Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa

4. Confessions of an Economic Hitman by John Perkins

5. The Blood Bankers by James S. Henry

@ 5627e59c:d484729e

De laatste zonnestralen van de dag streken over de eeuwige golven en weerkaatsten als lichtpuntjes in de ogen van schipper Joris terwijl hij nog een slok nam van zijn glazen fles die de vorm had van het hoofd van een oude monnik.

Gekregen van een oude vrouw uit de bergen van de Himalaya, zorgde de rum genaamd 'Old Monk' voor een verwarmend gezelschap op deze eenzame kerstnacht.

Joris had met zijn boot naar India gevaren nadat zijn vrouw hem had verlaten en hij een Indiër had ontmoet die had gezegd: "Waar ik vandaan kom, zijn vrouwen vrij en worden ze niet gezien als enkel en alleen de mooie lichamen die zij bezitten of als eeuwig bezit van een gezin."

Verward en ongelovig had Joris gekeken naar de wereld en besefte dat vrouwen inderdaad slechts gezien werden als hun fysieke schoonheid, genegeerd werden voor hun koesterende gevoeligheid en bekritiseerd werden door hun spontane intensheid en had hierop voor twee jaar lang gezocht in India naar deze vrije vrouwen met als enig resultaat een oude vrouw te ontmoeten die alleen in de bergen woonde en dagelijks haar wijsheid deelde met ieder luisterend oor.

Daar ging het doorzichtig monnikshoofd en verliet met een grote gebogen vlucht de hand van schipper Joris toen plots met groot kabaal de boot abrupt tot stilstand kwam en Joris hals over kop naar de andere kant van het dek geslingerd werd.

Het monnikshoofd verdween in het donker terwijl Joris zijn lichaam probeerde te lokaliseren en met zijn ogen wijd open zijn hersenen zo veel mogelijk informatie probeerde door te spelen.

Tevergeefs, want zijn enorme verschot werd gevolgd door een enkel groeiende verbazing, ongeloof en desoriëntatie toen de boot begon te kantelen.

De bundel licht, afkomstig van de mast van de boot, zwierde doorheen het donker en kwam te schijnen op een gigantische rots in het midden van de zee die werd bezeten door een oogverblindende glinstergroene schijn.

Uit het donker kwam het monnikshoofd, dat nog steeds in volle vlucht was, in het vizier van de lichtbundel en plaatste zich exact tussen de glinstergroene verschijning en Joris waarbij Joris doorheen het monnikshoofd gezegend werd met het zicht op een pracht van een zeemeermin die uitnodigend poseerde op de rots.

Met een luide plons viel Joris achterover in het water toen hij zich realiseerde dat vrouwen zichzelf ook lieten vangen door lust en hun uiterlijke opmaakcompetities en met een dankbare glimlach zonk hij naar de bodem van de zee en was opnieuw geboren.

@ 5627e59c:d484729e

Zonneschijn\ Stralen, lachen, zo fijn\ Moge de wereld dankbaar zijn

De vrouw, mijn gevoeligheid\ Bron van creativiteit

Genietend niets doen in het gras\ Met wat brood en wat wijn in het glas

@ 523a8281:fc94329a

MetaMars has rapidly established itself as a standout project in the 2025 cryptocurrency market, with its $MARS token soaring over 3000%, driven by a visionary Mars-themed metaverse narrative, sophisticated tokenomics, a strong community, and strategic KOL partnerships led by M3 DAO. This momentum has now expanded into the Japanese market following successes in India, Russia, Vietnam, Turkey, and Germany, where top influencers with million-strong followings in cryptocurrency, technology, and finance have joined MetaMars’ “Builders Alliance.” Their expert insights and dynamic multi-platform promotional efforts have injected unparalleled energy into the MetaMars ecosystem, fueling explosive growth and deep community engagement. Celebrated as “The Web3 Metaverse of the Future,” this campaign has already surpassed 200,000 views, underscoring its powerful resonance and expanding influence.

The Strategic Decision to Enter Japan: A Market Analysis Japan’s cryptocurrency and metaverse landscape presents a unique opportunity. Crypto adoption has surged to 34% of the population in 2025, with over 15 million active users, making Japan a top-five global market by daily trading volume. Major exchanges like Bitflyer and Coincheck handle over $1.2 billion weekly, supported by clear regulations such as the Payment Services Act and FSA-approved frameworks that ensure stability for users and investors.

The metaverse sector is equally promising, projected to reach ¥16 trillion ($110 billion) by 2026. According to a 2025 Dentsu Research report, 62% of Japanese crypto holders are interested in metaverse projects, especially virtual land, NFTs, and blockchain gaming. This cultural affinity, combined with a tech-savvy population, creates an ideal environment for MetaMars’ Mars-themed universe.

From Grassroots to Grand Scale: The Catalyst for Mass Promotion While MetaMars began community building in Japan in 2024, the current phase marks a strategic pivot toward large-scale promotion designed to empower the local ecosystem—an effort undertaken closely with M3 DAO. This collaboration focuses on deepening community engagement through multifaceted support: educational programs, mentorship from local thought leaders, localized learning resources, and KOL-led offline events. M3 DAO’s expertise in DAO governance and community operations complements MetaMars’ metaverse infrastructure, creating synergy that fuels sustained growth.

This approach prioritizes organic development over mere expansion. Weekly Web3 education sessions in Japanese, hosted by M3 DAO’s regional ambassadors, guide users through blockchain fundamentals and $MARS token utilities. Local leaders—curated from early adopters and industry veterans—offer one-on-one mentorship, while a comprehensive library of video tutorials, infographics, and case studies (translated by native speakers) ensures accessible knowledge. KOLs play the role of "ecological architects" here, participating in the planning of local Tokyo metaverse workshops, NFT creation challenges and other activities, with their influence covering content creation, community operation and even the formulation of ecological development roadmaps.

Conclusion: Embracing the Japanese Cultural Metaverse Revolution As MetaMars deepens its roots in Japan, the project embarks on a transformative journey that fuses cultural heritage with cutting-edge metaverse technology. In collaboration with M3 DAO, the initiative focuses on crafting immersive experiences that resonate locally—from anime-inspired NFT collections co-created with Japanese gaming studios to digital renditions of cultural landmarks, where KOLs and community members serve as digital guides and content architects. These collaborations extend beyond aesthetics: Japanese KOLs involved in the MetaMars DAO lead beta testing for new features, ensuring technological advancements—from blockchain governance tools to payment integrations—align with user needs.

In the coming months, KOLs will spearhead "metaverse labs," inviting fans to co-design virtual festivals, traditional art exhibitions, and interactive storytelling experiences within the Mars ecosystem. Leveraging M3 DAO’s community-building expertise and local KOLs’ cultural translation capabilities, MetaMars aims not only to expand its user base but to nurture a metaverse ecosystem where Japanese digital culture thrives. This serves as a pivot to pave the way for similar initiatives in markets like South Korea and Taiwan. The Martian landscape is evolving into a vibrant canvas for cultural innovation, inviting every user, KOL, and creator to become both planners and builders of this new digital frontier.

@ 6ad3e2a3:c90b7740

I’ve written before about the distinction between a platform, like Gmail or X, and a protocol, like SMTP or nostr. The former is typically owned and centrally controlled, the latter permissionless and open to everyone. For example, Google can ban you from using its email client, but no one can prevent you from using email itself because no one owns the email protocol.

Language is also a protocol, in fact every language including English. Anyone, even your worst enemy who knows it can make himself understood by those who understand it. Dictionaries and grammar guides exist, but over time even they bend to common usage and are forced to include new words and rules over time because no one owns or unilaterally controls the language.

Nonetheless that doesn’t prevent people from trying. If large companies ban you from using their communications platforms like Facebook, X and Gmail, it can severely constrict your reach. Banks can’t prevent you from using physical dollars, but they can cancel your credit cards and close your accounts, if for example you’ve decided to support Canadian truckers protesting their government, making it difficult for you to transact in a society largely run on their digital rails.

Over the last few years we even saw brazen attempts to turn language into a protocol via preferred pronouns, political correctness and a government-funded “disinformation” industry. The idea was that you had to “log in” with your correct view and accurate information credential before you could participate in a discussion about a wide array of sensitive topics. If you questioned the safety and efficacy of vaccines, the fairness of the 2020 election or the origins of the Covid virus you often found yourself denied reach on various platforms and labeled “anti-vax,” “anti-science,” an “election denier” or a “conspiracy theorist.”

These labels served to circumvent substantive discussion by denying basic standing such that there was no path to a hearing on the merits. If you did not signal your bona fides via adherence to certain preferred edicts, your perspective was often summarily dismissed, not only by individuals, but also institutions at the behest of which the modern public square is administered.

In short, centralized platforms, responding to government pressure, attempted to turn self-expression and in some cases even language itself into platform. As it turns out, that attempt was a violation of the law, at least in the United States, where we have a First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

That the First Amendment was violated over the last five years (and is still being violated now, though more with respect to what you can say about Israel and the conflict raging therein) is not surprising. The Constitution is merely a piece of paper and as such wholly dependent on succeeding generations’ willingness to stand up for it. Governments are always, by their nature, top down and fascistic insofar as they use force to achieve their desired ends, and it would be naive to think a piece of paper should stop them from doing so given a sufficiently compliant populace.

Put differently, the consecrated ideas in the piece of paper must be perpetuated to retain their binding effect. And rational arguments as to their supremacy over the expedience of the day (“people are dying, it’s a once in a century pandemic!”) often fall on propagandized ears. A list of sacrosanct principles is no failsafe for mass formation psychosis, and sophisticated and powerful factions have learned to foment manias as needed to overwhelm the average person’s dedication to them.

But just as gunpowder to some extent democratized the use of force 600 years ago, the spread of new technologies has the potential to enforce the First Amendment in perpetuity in a way the Framers with their pen and paper could not. In fact, we can re-write the First Amendment for the modern digital age in simplified form:

Religion and speech are ever protocols, never platforms.

In essence, no centralized entity can control, capture or censor them. But instead of simply stating this as a matter of principle, we can now, via Bitcoin and nostr, instantiate it into a decentralized ecosystem with the use of distributed nodes and unbreakable encryption. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men would more have as much chance of re-assembling Humpty Dumpty, contra the laws of entropy, as cracking your private keys. Inducing manias in the general public and using it as a lever on centralized gatekeepers works only at the platform level, but necessarily fails versus a distributed protocol.

The solution then in the face of an indifferent and obedient population to restoring the principles on which freedom and the prospect of human prosperity depend is to develop and use unstoppable, uncensorable technology, i.e., digital protocols, to circumvent the walled-garden platforms run by centralized tech behemoths. Yes, advocating for the principles in the founding documents is good and useful, but building and using tools that instantiate them is also necessary.

If enough people transact peer to peer in bitcoin rather than over the closed-circuit rails of the global banking system, and enough people share information over nostr, rather than via the centralized tech platforms, laws and actions that violate free speech would be as effective as ones outlawing gravity or laws of thermodynamics.

The next revolution won’t be with the guillotine or the pitchfork, but bottom-up person to person, permissionless interaction and transaction. You can still be excommunicated from the platforms by their commissars and state apparatchiks, but their edicts no longer run merely afoul of a consecrated piece of paper — they come up against an infrastructure over which they no longer have enforceable jurisdiction.

@ 5627e59c:d484729e

Enlightenment is just\ You catching up with time

Enlightenment is just\ Successfully processing your current situation\ And what it has to do with your past

Enlightenment is just\ Separating what you believe from what you know\ What is real from what is true

Enlightenment is living\ According to what you believe\ Because that's what is real for you\ Yet knowing it might turn out\ To be not really true

Enlightenment is giving thanks\ For being proven wrong

For how else would we grow\ The things we're conscious of\ The things that're real for us\ And the things we really know

How else would we align those things\ With the truth of what is (t)here\ Beyond\ That which we are

@ c1e9ab3a:9cb56b43

1. Introduction

Over the last 250 years the world’s appetite for energy has soared along an unmistakably exponential trajectory, transforming societies and economies alike. After a half‑century of relative deceleration, a new mix of technological, demographic and political forces now hints at an impending catch‑up phase that could push demand back onto its centuries‑long growth curve. This post knits together the history, the numbers and the newest policy signals to explore what that rebound might look like—and how Gen‑4 nuclear power could meet it.

---

2. The Long Exponential: 1750 – 1975

Early industrialisation replaced muscle, wood and water with coal‑fired steam, pushing global primary energy use from a few exajoules per year in 1750 to roughly 60 EJ by 1900 and 250 EJ by 1975. Over that span aggregate consumption doubled roughly every 25–35 years, equivalent to a long‑run compound growth rate of ~3 % yr‑¹. Per‑capita use climbed even faster in industrialised economies as factories, railways and electric lighting spread.

---

3. 1975 – 2025: The Great Slowdown

3.1 Efficiency & Structural Change

• Oil shocks (1973, 1979) and volatile prices pushed OECD economies to squeeze more GDP from each joule.
• Services displaced heavy industry in rich countries, trimming energy intensity.
• Refrigerators, motors and vehicles became dramatically more efficient.

3.2 Policy & Technology

• The Inflation Reduction Act (U.S.) now layers zero‑emission production credits and technology‑neutral tax incentives on top of existing nuclear PTCs citeturn1search0turn1search2.
• The EU’s Net‑Zero Industry Act aims to streamline siting and finance for “net‑zero technologies”, explicitly naming advanced nuclear citeturn0search1.

3.3 Result

Global primary energy in 2024 stands near 600 EJ (≈ 167 000 TWh)—still growing, but the line has flattened versus the pre‑1975 exponential.

---

4. Population & Per‑Capita Demand

World population tripled between 1950 and today, yet total energy use grew roughly six‑fold. The imbalance reflects rising living standards and electrification. Looking ahead, the UN projects population to plateau near 10.4 billion in the 2080s, but per‑capita demand is poised to climb as the Global South industrialises.

---

5. The Policy Pivot of 2023‑2025

| Region | Signal | Year | Implication | |--------|--------|------|-------------| | COP 28 Declaration | 20+ nations pledge to triple nuclear capacity by 2050 | 2023 | High‑level political cover for rapid nuclear build‑out citeturn0search2 | | Europe | Post‑crisis sentiment shifts; blackout in Iberia re‑opens nuclear debate | 2025 | Spain, Germany, Switzerland and others revisit phase‑outs citeturn0news63 | | United States | TVA submits first SMR construction permit; NRC advances BWRX‑300 review | 2025 | Regulatory pathway for fleet deployment citeturn1search9turn1search1 | | Global Strategy Report | “Six Dimensions for Success” playbook for new nuclear entrants | 2025 | Practical roadmap for emerging economies citeturn0search0 | | U.S. Congress | Proposed cuts to DOE loan office threaten build‑out pace | 2025 | Finance bottleneck remains a risk citeturn1news28 |

---

6. The Catch‑Up Scenario

Suppose the recent 50‑year pause ends in 2025, and total energy demand returns to a midpoint historical doubling period of 12.5 years (the average of the 10–15 year rebound window).

6.1 Consumption Trajectory

| Year | Doublings since 2024 | Demand (TWh) | |------|----------------------|--------------| | 2024 | 0 | 167 000 | | 2037 | 1 | 334 000 | | 2050 | 2 | 668 000 | | 2062 | 3 | 1 336 000 |

(Table ignores efficiency gains from electrification for a conservative, supply‑side sizing.)

---

7. Nuclear‑Only Supply Model

7.1 Reactor Math

• 1 GWᵉ Gen‑4 reactor → 8.76 TWh yr‑¹ at 100 % capacity factor.
• 2062 requirement: 1 336 000 TWh yr‑¹ → ≈ 152 500 reactors in steady state.
• Build rate (2025‑2062, linear deployment):
  152 500 ÷ 38 years ≈ 4 000 reactors per year globally.

(Down from the earlier 5 000 yr‑¹ estimate because the deployment window now stretches 38 years instead of 30.)

7.2 Policy Benchmarks

• COP 28 triple target translates to +780 GW (if baseline 2020 ≈ 390 GW). That is <100 1 GW units per year—two orders of magnitude lower than the theoretical catch‑up requirement, highlighting just how aggressive our thought experiment is.

7.3 Distributed vs Grid‑Centric

Small Modular Reactors (300 MW class) can be sited on retiring coal plants, using existing grid interconnects and cooling, vastly reducing new transmission needs. Ultra‑large “gigawatt corridors” become optional rather than mandatory, though meshed regional grids still improve resilience and market liquidity.

---

8. Challenges & Unknowns

1. Finance: Even with IRA‑style credits, first‑of‑a‑kind Gen‑4 builds carry high cost of capital.
2. Supply Chain: 4 000 reactors a year means a reactor‑grade steel output roughly 20× today’s level.
3. Waste & Public Trust: Advanced reactors can burn actinides, but geologic repositories remain essential.
4. Workforce: Nuclear engineers, welders and regulators are already in short supply.
5. Competing Technologies: Cheap renewables + storage and prospective fusion could displace part of the projected load.

---

9. Conclusions

Recent policy shifts—from Europe’s Net‑Zero Industry Act to the COP 28 nuclear declaration—signal that governments once again see nuclear energy as indispensable to deep decarbonisation. Yet meeting an exponential catch‑up in demand would require deployment rates an order of magnitude beyond today’s commitments, testing manufacturing capacity, finance and political resolve.

Whether the future follows the modest path now embedded in policy or the steeper curve sketched here, two convictions stand out:

• Electrification will dominate new energy demand.
• Scalable, dispatchable low‑carbon generation—likely including large fleets of Gen‑4 fission plants—must fill much of that gap if net‑zero targets are to remain credible.

---

Last updated 1 June 2025.

@ 32e18276:5c68e245

6 years ago I created some tools for working with peter todd's opentimestamps proof format. You can do some fun things like create plaintext and mini ots proofs. This short post is just a demo of what these tools do and how to use them.

What is OTS?

OpenTimestamps is a protocol for stamping information into bitcoin in a minimal way. It uses OP_RETURN outputs so that it has minimal impact on chain, and potentially millions of documents are stamped all at once with a merkle tree construction.

Examples

Here's the proof of the ots.c source file getting stamped into the ots calendar merkle tree. We're simply printing the ots proof file here with otsprint:

``` $ ./otsprint ots.c.ots

version 1 file_hash sha256 f76f0795ff37a24e566cd77d1996b64fab9c871a5928ab9389dfc3a128ec8296 append 2e9943d3833768bdb9a591f1d2735804 sha256 | --> append 2d82e7414811ecbf | sha256 | append a69d4f93e3e0f6c9b8321ce2cdd90decd34d260ea3f8b55e83d157ad398b7843 | sha256 | append ac0b5896401478eb6d88a408ec08b33fd303b574fb09b503f1ac1255b432d304 | sha256 | append 8aa9fd0245664c23d31d344243b4e8b0 | sha256 | prepend 414db5a1cd3a3e6668bf2dca9007e7c0fc5aa6dc71a2eab3afb51425c3acc472 | sha256 | append 5355b15d88d4dece45cddb7913f2c83d41e641e8c1d939dac4323671a4f8e197 | sha256 | append a2babd907ca513ab561ce3860e64a26b7df5de117f1f230bc8f1a248836f0c25 | sha256 | prepend 683f072f | append 2a4cdf9e9e04f2fd | attestation calendar https://alice.btc.calendar.opentimestamps.org | --> append 7c8764fcaba5ed5d | sha256 | prepend f7e1ada392247d3f3116a97d73fcf4c0994b5c22fff824736db46cd577b97151 | sha256 | append 3c43ac41e0281f1dbcd7e713eb1ffaec48c5e05af404bca2166cdc51966a921c | sha256 | append 07b18bd7f4a5dc72326416aa3c8628ca80c8d95d7b1a82202b90bc824974da13 | sha256 | append b4d641ab029e7d900e92261c2342c9c9 | sha256 | append 4968b89b02b534f33dc26882862d25cca8f0fa76be5b9d3a3b5e2d77690e022b | sha256 | append 48c54e30b3a9ec0e6339b88ed9d04b9b1065838596a4ec778cbfc0dfc0f8c781 | sha256 | prepend 683f072f | append 8b2b4beda36c18dc | attestation calendar https://bob.btc.calendar.opentimestamps.org | --> append baa878b42ef3e0d45b324cc3a39a247a | sha256 | prepend 4fb1bc663cd641ad18e5c73fb618de1ae3d28fb5c3c224b7f9888fd52feb09ec | sha256 | append 731329278830c9725497d70e9f5a02e4b2d9c73ff73560beb3a896a2f180fdbf | sha256 | append 689024a9d57ad5daad669f001316dd0fc690ac4520410f97a349b05a3f5d69cb | sha256 | append 69d42dcb650bb2a690f850c3f6e14e46c2b0831361bac9ec454818264b9102fd | sha256 | prepend 683f072f | append bab471ba32acd9c3 | attestation calendar https://btc.calendar.catallaxy.com append c3ccce274e2f9edfa354ec105cb1a749 sha256 append 6297b54e3ce4ba71ecb06bd5632fd8cbd50fe6427b6bfc53a0e462348cc48bab sha256 append c28f03545a2948bd0d8102c887241aff5d4f6cf1e0b16dfd8787bf45ca2ab93d sha256 prepend 683f072f append 7f3259e285891c8e attestation calendar https://finney.calendar.eternitywall.com ```

The tool can create a minimal version of the proofs:

``` $ ./otsmini ots.c.ots | ./otsmini -d | ./otsprint

version 1 file_hash sha256 f76f0795ff37a24e566cd77d1996b64fab9c871a5928ab9389dfc3a128ec8296 append 2e9943d3833768bdb9a591f1d2735804 sha256 append c3ccce274e2f9edfa354ec105cb1a749 sha256 append 6297b54e3ce4ba71ecb06bd5632fd8cbd50fe6427b6bfc53a0e462348cc48bab sha256 append c28f03545a2948bd0d8102c887241aff5d4f6cf1e0b16dfd8787bf45ca2ab93d sha256 prepend 683f072f append 7f3259e285891c8e attestation calendar https://finney.calendar.eternitywall.com ```

which can be shared on social media as a string:

5s1L3tTWoTfUDhB1MPLXE1rnajwUdUnt8pfjZfY1UWVWpWu5YhW3PGCWWoXwWBRJ16B8182kQgxnKyiJtGQgRoFNbDfBss19seDnco5sF9WrBt8jQW7BVVmTB5mmAPa8ryb5929w4xEm1aE7S3SGMFr9rUgkNNzhMg4VK6vZmNqDGYvvZxBtwDMs2PRJk7y6wL6aJmq6yoaWPvuxaik4qMp76ApXEufP6RnWdapqGGsKy7TNE6ZzWWz2VXbaEXGwgjrxqF8bMstZMdGo2VzpVuE

you can even do things like gpg-style plaintext proofs:

``` $ ./otsclear -e CONTRIBUTING.ots -----BEGIN OPENTIMESTAMPS MESSAGE-----

Email patches to William Casarin jb55@jb55.com

-----BEGIN OPENTIMESTAMPS PROOF-----

AE9wZW5UaW1lc3RhbXBzAABQcm9vZgC/ieLohOiSlAEILXj4GSagG6fRNnR+CHj9e/+Mdkp0w1us gV/5dmlX2NrwEDlcBMmQ723mI9sY9ALUlXoI//AQRXlCd716J60FudR+C78fkAjwIDnONJrj1udi NDxQQ8UJiS4ZWfprUxbvaIoBs4G+4u6kCPEEaD8Ft/AIeS/skaOtQRoAg9/jDS75DI4pKGh0dHBz Oi8vZmlubmV5LmNhbGVuZGFyLmV0ZXJuaXR5d2FsbC5jb23/8AhMLZVzYZMYqwjwEPKWanBNPZVm kqsAYV3LBbkI8CCfIVveDh/S8ykOH1NC6BKTerHoPojvj1OmjB2LYvdUbgjxBGg/BbbwCGoo3fi1 A7rjAIPf4w0u+QyOLi1odHRwczovL2FsaWNlLmJ0Yy5jYWxlbmRhci5vcGVudGltZXN0YW1wcy5v cmf/8Aik+VP+n3FhCwjwELfTdHAfYQNa49I3CYycFbkI8QRoPwW28AgCLn93967lIQCD3+MNLvkM jiwraHR0cHM6Ly9ib2IuYnRjLmNhbGVuZGFyLm9wZW50aW1lc3RhbXBzLm9yZ/AQ3bEwg7mjQyKR PykGgiJewAjwID5Q68dY4m+XogwTJx72ecQEe5lheCO1RnlcJSTFokyRCPEEaD8Ft/AIw1WWPe++ 8N4Ag9/jDS75DI4jImh0dHBzOi8vYnRjLmNhbGVuZGFyLmNhdGFsbGF4eS5jb20= -----END OPENTIMESTAMPS PROOF-----

$ ./otsclear -v <<<proof_string... # verify the proof string ```

I've never really shared these tools before, I just remembered about it today. Enjoy!

Try it out: https://github.com/jb55/ots-tools

@ df67f9a7:2d4fc200

Nostr 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 :

1. Start with your own business and app design. Add Nosrr login.
2. Discover what "kinds" of user data already exists "on Nostr" that your app can ingest and make use of.
3. Decide which "kinds" of data would benefit your business, your users, and the network, if sent "to Nostr".
4. Implement Nostr integration for data kinds and add webs of trust tools for recommendation and discovery.
5. Verify your app is sovereignty respecting in how it handles private data and implements Nostr NIPs.
6. 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.

@ a296b972:e5a7a2e8

Wird hier gerade eine Hollywood-Show vor unseren Augen aufgeführt?

Trump tut oft so, als ob die USA erst mit seiner zweiten Präsidentschaft zu existieren begonnen haben. Die Suppe, die ihm die Biden-Regierung eingebrockt hat auszulöffeln, gehört zur Übernahme der Amtsgeschäfte. Ist es wahrscheinlich, dass die Vorbereitungen für den Stellvertreterkrieg zwischen den USA und Russland, auf dem Rücken der Ukrainer, erst mit der Biden-Administration angefangen haben, oder schon früher?

Nicht vergessen: Als dominierende Kraft in der NATO sind die USA maßgeblich für die Provokation Russlands durch die NATO-Osterweiterung verantwortlich.

Jetzt, wo man, wie in anderen „demokratiebringenden Einmärschen“ vorher auch schon, erkannt hat, dass man wieder mal gescheitert ist, versuchen sich die USA einen schlanken Fuß zu machen? Wollen sie sich gesichtswahrend aus der Affaire ziehen und Europa den schwarzen Peter zuschieben? Am Ende hieße es dann möglicherweise: Wir haben ja alles versucht, uns für eine Befriedung in der Ukraine einzusetzen, aber ihr Europäer wolltet ja nicht. Jetzt seht selber zu, wie ihr damit fertig werdet. Schon lange vor dem Ukraine-Krieg gab es Stimmen, die sagten, dass wenn es einmal darauf ankommt, werden die USA Europa fallen lassen, wie eine heiße Kartoffel.

Trump deutet an, eine große Zahl der Besatzungstruppen in Europa, besonders präsent in Deutschland, abziehen zu wollen. Gleichzeitig ist die geplante Stationierung von Hyperschallraketen namens „Dark Eagle“ in 2026 noch nicht zurückgenommen worden. Das wäre ein klares Signal einer vertrauensbildenden Maßnahme. Trump könnte in Wiesbaden das Licht ausmachen. Auch das wäre Russland gegenüber, ein klares Zeichen zum festen Willen einer Deeskalation.

Wie geht es mit den rund 800 weltweiten US-Basen weiter? Gibt es hier Pläne, sich zurückzuziehen?

Trump könnte veranlassen, dass Starlink abgeschaltet würde, ein Anruf bei Musk genügte, dann wäre die Ukraine blind. Warum tut er das nicht, um den Krieg schneller zu beenden?

Warum fließen von Deutschland finanzielle Mittel in die Ukraine, um den Betrieb von Starlink weiter aufrechtzuerhalten?

All das könnten klare Zeichen Richtung Russland sein, die es beruhigen und das territoriale Sicherheitsgefühl des Landes wiederherstellen würde.

Wusste Trump nichts von der Auslagerung der Bio-Waffen-Labore in die Ukraine?

Haben die zahlreichen Executive Orders, so gut sie auch sein mögen, nicht auch den Charme von Autokratie oder sogar schon Diktatur? Sind diese in einer Ausnahmesituation gerechtfertigt? Dann wären die Ermächtigungsgesetze bei der Machtübernahme in Deutschland es auch gewesen. Sie geschahen aus der Sicht der Verantwortlichen ja auch in bester Absicht. Das kann doch eigentlich nicht sein. Oder kann man beides nicht miteinander vergleichen?

Wie passt das alles zusammen?

Im Juni gibt es ein NATO-Treffen. Wird Trump dort den Austritt aus der NATO verkünden?

Vorher macht Merz seinen Antrittsbesuch bei Trump. Gibt es eine saftige Ohrfeige, entlässt Trump Deutschland in die Volljährigkeit, oder erklärt Trump Deutschland zu seinem stärksten und verlässlichsten Partner in Europa? Man muss mit allem rechnen.

Durch seine Rede auf der Sicherheitskonferenz in München, bemängelte Vance unter anderem die Meinungsfreiheit in Deutschland. Ist das wirkliche Meinungsfreiheit, wenn diese derzeit in den USA vor allem in den Händen von Musk liegt?

Vance sah auch eine Gefahr für die Demokratie in Deutschland durch die Brandmauer gegen die Opposition. Es ist offensichtlich, dass Trump konservative Kräfte und somit die Opposition in Deutschland unterstützt und stärkt. Die Opposition steht jedoch auch zur NATO und ist für eine angemessene Verteidigungsfähigkeit. Keine Überlegungen, ob die Neutralität für Deutschland nicht ebenfalls eine Alternative wäre. Besteht hier nicht eine Gefahr, denn es ist nicht das erste Mal, dass die USA in einem anderen Land Kräfte unterstützen, von denen sie der Meinung sind, dass sie der Demokratisierung dienen. Hier gibt es Beispiele dafür, dass der Schuss auch nach hinten losgehen kann. Dieses Mal mag es ja vielleicht in die richtige Richtung gehen, doch wer garantiert das? Am Ende zeigt es jedoch vor allem, dass Deutschland nur ein Spielball ganz anderer Kräfte ist, und aus sich heraus nicht in der Lage, vernunftbegabte, eigene Entscheidungen zu treffen. Und werden Entscheidungen getroffen, dann gehen sie in die falsche Richtung. Deutschland darf nicht stärkste Kraft in Europa werden, schon allein aufgrund seiner eigenen Geschichte nicht.

Und die, die die durchaus vorhandenen mahnenden Stimmen in Deutschland unterstützen müssten, die tun es (noch) nicht. In der Tat muss der Wandel von unten nach oben erfolgen, durch den Souverän, weil es mehr als genug Beweise dafür gibt, dass die politische Klasse weder willens noch dazu in der Lage ist, wieder freiheitlich-demokratische Verhältnisse herzustellen, auch, wenn sie ständig gebetsmühlenartig betont, dass sie Unseredemokratie mit allen Mitteln schützen will. Mittlerweile ist die Lage schon so pervers, dass man sich förmlich einen tagelangen Blackout, Benzinpreise von 5,00 Euro den Liter, exorbitant hohe Heiz- und Lebenshaltungskosten herbeiwünscht, damit dieses derzeit leider enttäuschende, bräsige Volk endlich den Irren in Berlin deutlich zu verstehen gibt, dass es so nicht weitergehen kann.

Herr Pistorius scheint der Ansicht zu sein, dass, wenn er das Wort Diplomatie in den Mund nimmt, er augenblicklich an Zungenkrebs erkrankt. Nein, Herr Pistorius, wir müssen nicht kriegstüchtig werden, wir müssen nicht nur friedensfähig werden, sondern friedensliebend durch eine vernunftbegabte deutsche Politik sein, kapieren Sie das endlich! Und diese Friedensliebe muss in die Welt hinausposaunt werden, als Zeichen, dass Deutschland aus seiner Geschichte gelernt hat (wenn es denn so wäre).

Und Frieden durch Krieg schaffen zu wollen, ist und bleibt bekloppt!

Und Merz, verkündet stolz die Stationierung einer Brigade in Litauen, direkt an der russischen Grenze. Es scheint ihm Vergnügen zu bereiten, den Bären an der Tatze zu kitzeln. So lange, bis er die Krallen zeigt, weil es ihm zu viel wird. In Litauen selbst scheint es seit Ende des 2. Weltkrieges noch bis heute eine beträchtliche Anzahl von ewig Gestrigen zu geben, genauso, wie in der Ukraine. Wie passt das zusammen?

Oder soll gar am Ende doch noch der Morgenthau-Plan umgesetzt werden? Anzeichen dafür gibt es.

Was, Herr Trump, ist jetzt mit den Goldreserven in Fort Knox? Sind sie noch da, oder nicht? Was ist mit den deutschen Goldreserven? Die sieht Deutschland wahrscheinlich nie wieder, weil sie mit den jahrzehntelangen Kosten für den US-NATO-Schutz verrechnet werden. Und am Ende würde wahrscheinlich sogar noch ein Saldo zu Ungunsten Deutschlands übrigbleiben.

Ja, es sind viele Baustellen begonnen worden und es gibt immer noch sehr starke Kräfte in den USA, die das Aufräumen verhindern wollen:

Weniger Zucker, keine künstlichen Zusatzstoffe in Lebensmitteln, zusatzfreies Wasser, alles schön und gut. Was nutzt es, wenn die Amis sich wieder gesünder ernähren können, die Fettleibigkeit zurückgeht und viele am Ende dann doch an den Folgen der Spritze zugrunde gehen.  Ein offizielles, nationales, sofortiges Verbot der mRNA-Vergiftung gibt es immer noch nicht. Und auch keine laufende Aufarbeitung und Aufklärung von alleroberster Stelle. Kennedy tut was er kann, aber das reicht noch nicht.

Wer sind die Hintermänner der Wettermanipulation, die derzeit teilweise geahndet werden? Irgendjemand muss den Auftrag dazu geben, wo wird das Zeug hergestellt, wer mischt es dem Flugbenzin bei, was wissen die Flugkapitäne, wenn es denn so ist?

Wird eine Grand Jury vorbereitet, in denen die von Biden am letzten Tag begnadigten Personen, inklusive ihm selbst, zur Rechenschaft gezogen werden? Wo ist das US-amerikanische Nürnberg 2.0 für alle, die an dem Spritzen-Verbrechen beteiligt gewesen sind?

Was ist mit den Kinderschändern? Können die fliehen, wohin? Oder landen die allesamt auf dem elektrischen Stuhl, wo sie hingehören würden? Auch, wenn man grundsätzlich gegen die Todesstrafe ist, in diesem Fall könnte man doch mal eine Ausnahme machen, falls Guantanamo zu voll würde. Sich in teuflischer Art auf verschiedene Weise an Kindern zu vergehen, ist das widerlichste, abscheulichste, menschenverachtendste, das sich ein normaler Mensch überhaupt nur vorstellen kann. Und gleich danach kommt die weltweite, satanische mRNA-Vergiftung.

Was sollen die Friedensgespräche zwischen Russland und der Ukraine in Istanbul? Wie der durch die NATO-Osterweiterung von den USA angezettelte Krieg in der Ukraine, so wäre es jetzt auch die Pflicht der USA, dieses grandiose Deppenstück mit unzähligen Toten und Verstümmelten auch wieder zu beenden. Und das geht nur zwischen den USA und Russland. Die Ukraine hat dabei wenig bis gar nichts zu melden, genau so wenig, wie Europa, und schon gar nicht Möchte-Gernegroß-Deutschland.

Ist das ein Hinhaltetaktik?

Klar war, dass Trump den Krieg in der Ukraine nicht in 24 Stunden beenden konnte. Wurde Europa die Gelegenheit gegeben, ein Bündnis der Willigen aufzustellen, dass verzweifelt aber erfolglos versucht, einen Keil in die Friedensverhandlungen zu treiben? Soll damit das wahre Gesicht von Großbritannien, Frankreich und Deutschland augenscheinlich werden? Steckt ein Plan dahinter, aber welcher?

Welche Möglichkeiten hätte Trump, die Europäische Union, als Handlanger des Deep States und der NATO, mit einer Überdosis der von der EU-Kommissarin per SMS bestellten Haarspray-Dosen zu ersticken, damit eine für alle einträgliche Neuauflage der Europäischen Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft selbständiger Nationalstaaten wiederauferstehen kann? Damit Gurken und Bananen wieder krumm sein dürfen, und die Sommerzeit, unnötig wie ein Loch im Kopf, endlich wieder abgeschafft wird, weil keiner sie will und weil sie nichts bringt. Das sind nur die harmlosesten Beispiele. Dieses nicht demokratisch gewählte Bürokratie-Monster mit europäischem Herrschaftsanspruch, Militärphantasien und diktatorischen Gleichmachungsgedanken gehört aufgelöst, und die agierenden Handlanger in ihm dürfen nie wieder politische Verantwortung übertragen bekommen.

Es ist richtig, wenn es Stimmen gibt, die sagen, die Veränderung der politischen Verhältnisse muss von der Graswurzel aus erfolgen, weil man erkennen muss, dass das ganze System vergiftet ist. Die USA waren genau so wenig jemals unser Freund, wie Russland unser Feind ist. Es ging und geht immer nur um Interessen, nicht um Nächstenliebe. Wie viele Generationen und ein anderes Bildungssystem braucht es, bis die Menschen das verstehen?

Trump hat schon mehrmals angekündigt, dass „nächste Woche“ Großes geschehen wird. Bisher heiße Luft, oder ist da etwas verkündet worden, dass man nicht mitbekommen hat?

Trump ist nicht der Retter der Welt! Mit dem Projekt Warp-Speed geht es jetzt weiter mit Stargate. Hier sollen 500 Milliarden Dollar in die mRNA-Forschung zur Bekämpfung von Krebs und in die KI-Infrastruktur bereitgestellt werden. Welche Rolle spielen Thiel mit Palantir und Musk mit Neurolink und weitere Tech-Giganten? Digitale Identitäten sollen die illegalen Einwanderer abhalten, zum Schutz der eigenen Bevölkerung. Wer sagt denn, dass hier nicht ein totaler Überwachungsstaat installiert werden soll? Man muss Speck in die Mausefalle legen, damit die Maus darauf hereinfällt. Und dann – schnappt sie zu! Vieles, was aus den USA kommt, hört sich erst einmal befreiend an. Basiert das wirklich auf humanen Prinzipien, oder sind am Ende auch hier nur Interessen, wie überall, die treibende Kraft?

Die USA sind keine lupenreine Demokratie, genauso wenig wie Russland, denn am Ende zählt, wer das meiste Geld zusammenbekommen hat, um an die Macht zu kommen. Das ist wohl eher eine "Moneykratie", eine Geldherrschaft. Einmal sind es die Demokraten, ein anderes Mal sind es die Republikaner. Am Ende ziehen immer diejenigen die Strippen, die dahinterstehen, die man nicht sieht, die Einser, die aus den vielen Nullen eine Tausend machen, damit sie ihre Macht entfalten können. Wer entscheidet denn, wer die guten Reichen und wer die bösen Reichen sind? Am Ende verdirbt Geld und Macht bei allen den Charakter. Und was die sogenannten Philanthropen anrichten können, hat man ja in vollen Zügen „genießen“ dürfen. Raus aus der WHO, ein richtiger Schritt der USA und Argentiniens. Und was ist mit den anderen Staaten? Auch hier tut sich Deutschland wieder einmal in besonders unangenehmer Weise durch zusätzliche Geldspritzen hervor.

Wir sollten endlich innerhalb unserer Menschheitsentwicklung erwachsen werden, uns von dem Gedanken verabschieden und uns darauf verlassen, dass Mama und Papa es schon richten werden. Mit wirklicher Freiheit umzugehen, muss gelernt sein. Wir müssen aus der Freiheits-Simulation aufwachen. Das macht vielen Angst, weil Freiheit mit Selbstverantwortung, Selbstermächtigung und Selbstdenken zu tun hat. Die Auswahl in einem 5 Meter langen Joghurt-Regal hat nichts mit Freiheit zu tun!

Bisher wurden wir in den sogenannten Demokratien darauf hin konditioniert, dass wir unser Kreuzchen machen, damit wir jemanden haben, auf den wir schimpfen können: Die da oben! Und die da oben, interessiert das einen feuchten Kehricht. Das muss aufhören!

Wir müssen unser Schicksal und Wohlergehen endlich selbst in die Hand nehmen.

Alle Systeme, und klingen sie noch so verlockend, dienen der Steuerung und Lenkung von Massen, weil einige Wenige glauben zu wissen, was gut für uns ist. Dabei sollten wir das doch selbst am allerbesten wissen. Dazu gehört vor allem die Freiheit, die kein System wirklich zulassen kann, auch die USA nicht, weil das den absoluten Machtverlust für es bedeuten würde.

Selbst, wenn sich unter dem Vorangegangenen, Wirres für den Leser befinden sollte, es sind eigene Gedanken und eine Meinung, die immer noch besser ist, als die vorbereiteten, geschälten Apfelscheite von einem Tellerchen aufzunehmen, gedankenlos in den Mund zu stecken, leicht durchzukauen und herunterzuschlucken, so, wie es bei denen, die immer noch vor dem Fernseher hocken und glauben, was ihnen da vorgelogen wird, der Fall ist.

Insasse der Freiluft-Irrenanstalt, bediene Dich Deines eigenen Verstandes und heile Dich selbst von der Massenpsychose, in die man Dich durch jahrelange Gehirnwäsche getrieben hat. Schock den Staat, denke selbst!

@ a296b972:e5a7a2e8

Europa sitzt in einem Demokratie-Simulator. Auf die Scheiben im Cockpit werden Bilder projiziert, die nicht der Realität entsprechen, und es gibt immer noch zu viele Menschen, die diese Simulation nicht erkannt haben.

Nichts wäre erstrebenswerter, als über eine positive Entwicklung, hin zur Vernunft und realitätsbezogenen, auf Tatsachen beruhenden Entscheidungen, berichten zu können. Die Frage ist, ob nicht zuerst unentwegt auf Missstände hingewiesen werden muss, um weitere Menschen dazu zu bewegen, sich denjenigen anzuschließen, die offensichtlich an Indoktrinationsintoleranz leiden.

Wer sich vor Hofberichterstattung und die tägliche Fahrt durch die Gehirnwaschanlage schützen will, der meidet den öffentlich-rechtlichen Unfug und die einschlägigen Käseblätter, die vielleicht noch halbwegs dazu geeignet sind, den Fisch auf dem Markt einzuschlagen, um ihn nach Hause zu tragen, vorausgesetzt, man kann ihn sich noch leisten.

Die Neuen Medien liefern die Informationen, die man sonst im „Qualitäts-Mainstream“ nicht finden kann, was nicht verwundert, denn infiltriert von willigen Erfüllungsgehilfen, die Angst um ihr Prestige und ihre Stellung haben, kann man hier keine freie Berichterstattung erwarten.

Beste Unterhaltung bietet auch die Bundespressekonferenz-Show, auf die schon näher eingegangen wurde. Offizieller Regierungssprech in höchster Perfektion. Ob man dort wirklich davon überzeugt ist, dass es irgendjemanden gibt, der diesen Verlautbarungen Glauben schenkt? Was hat Tante Käthe immer gesagt: G E L D   L O C K T   I M M E R !

Was also tun? Die Neuen Medien auch noch meiden, und sich vor dem blanken Wahnsinn schützen, in dem man ihn ignoriert, was jedoch nicht bewirkt, dass er nicht mehr da wäre.

Temporäre Abstinenz tut auch hier gut, allerdings ist der Wiedereinstieg so ähnlich, wie der erste Arbeitstag nach einem zweimonatigen Urlaub, falls man nicht in seinem Lieblings-Job gelandet ist.

Und was, wenn die Irren vollends durchdrehen, und man bekommt es nicht mit? Schön, ändern kann man vielleicht wenig, aber man kann sich vielleicht noch eine richtig gute, edle Flasche Rotwein kaufen, und die am Vorabend des Untergangs genießen, oder noch schnell einen Baum pflanzen.

Hier ein Beispiel für jemanden, dessen besonderer Blick sehr an den Universal-Gesundheits-Klima-Hysteriker erinnert:

https\://rumble.com/v6umjdj-respekt-und-anerkennung-deutscher-general-lobt-ukrainische-angriffe-in-russ.html

Wie sieht der Alltag aus, wenn man sich einmal nicht mit den Informationen über Dauer- Bekloppte beschäftigt?

Wenn sich ein Besuch in der nächst größeren Stadt nicht vermeiden lässt, sieht man vor allem gehetzte Menschen, viele mit einem finsteren Blick, anders, als früher.

Viele zahlen mit Karte oder ihrem Handy, Kleckerbeträge. „Zahlen Sie noch bar, oder schon mit Überwachung?“, wünschte man sich, dass die Verkäuferinnen den Kunden fragen würden. Tun sie aber nicht.

Die Menschen scheinen keine Ahnung zu haben, was auf sie zukommt. Im Oktober soll der digitale Euro eingeführt werden, natürlich zuerst nur freiwillig. Was das bedeutet, kennt man ja schon. Freiwilligkeit durch das Schaffen eines Raumes, in dem der Zwang in der Luft hängt, wie damals der Kohlenstaub im Ruhrgebiet. Es wird die persönliche ID vorangetrieben, mit einem Wallet, das die Anonymität und die persönliche Freiheit immer mehr aushöhlen will.

Europa soll unter einen Demokratie-Schutzschirm gestellt werden, der zu nichts anderem dient, als dass diejenigen, die derzeit glauben zu wissen, was gut für die Menschen ist, ihre kruden Vorstellungen auch durchsetzen können. Zweifelhaft, was in den USA vorgeht, was da gerade mit Palantir, natürlich nur zur Sicherheit der Amerikaner, so im Hintergrund schon anläuft. Hierzu gibt es interessante Informationen von Regenauer und Tögel. Einziger Hoffnungsschimmer, besonders für Deutschland: Das klappt sowieso nicht. In den hintersten Bergdörfern in den italienischen Alpen gibt es Glasfaseranschluss, und fährt man in Deutschland auf’s Land, reiht sich Funkloch an Funkloch.

Die wirklich wichtige und große Frage ist, wie können sich Gemeinschaften, die diesen Irrsinn nicht mitmachen wollen, weitgehend aus dem System ausklinken? Bitcoin ist ein erster Schritt zur finanziellen Unabhängigkeit. Eine regionale Lebensmittelversorgung, mit nicht verseuchten, genunmanipulierten, mit Schadstoffen weitgehend unbelasteten Produkten entwickelt sich ebenfalls schon sehr gut. Was, wenn der Zugang zu Informationen über das Internet von einer Anmeldung mit persönlicher ID abhängt und man will und hat keine? Was ist mit Dokumenten, wenn man verreisen oder das Land verlassen will? Was ist, wenn man krank wird und auf das noch vorhandene Rest-Gesundheitssystem angewiesen ist? Was, wenn das Unternehmen seine Mitarbeiter auf staatliche Anweisung zu etwas zwingen muss, was der Mitarbeiter vielleicht gar nicht will, er aber auf das Einkommen angewiesen ist?

Das alles sind Fragen, zu denen es schwer ist, auch in den Neuen Medien, passende Antworten zu finden. Die würden in der Tat Hoffnung machen, dass es ein Schlupfloch gibt, sich, wenn vielleicht auch mit Einschränkungen, den „demokratischen“ Verhältnissen, auf denen nur noch Demokratie draufsteht, aber sehr wenig bis keine Demokratie mehr drin ist, so weit es geht zu entziehen. Sachdienliche Hinweise gerne in der Kommentarfunktion.

Oder ist es „gesünder“, sich zurückzuziehen, die Klappe zu halten und dafür zu sorgen, dass man unter dem Radar bleibt? Diese Gabe ist leider nicht jedem gegeben. Besonders nicht denen, die einen ausgeprägten Wahrheitssinn und ein starkes Gerechtigkeitsgefühl haben.

Menschen die andere belügen, die werden geliebt. Menschen, die anderen sagen, dass sie belogen werden, die werden gehasst.

„Die Wahrheit ist dem Menschen zumutbar.“ (Ingeborg Bachmann)

„Kein Mensch hat das Recht zu gehorchen.“ (Hannah Ahrendt)

“Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben.”

* *

(Bild von pixabay)

@ 5627e59c:d484729e

Hello Bumble\ You busy bee

You're going way\ Too fast for me

Going here and there\ You search for gold

Yet tumble straight\ Into what's old

Now I'm not here\ To make a gain

Nor to fix\ What's in disdain

Instead I'm just\ A humble bee

Who wants to get\ To know thee

@ 1c5ff3ca:efe9c0f6

Just 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 Typ application/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 Events
• pubkey: Der Pubkey des Urhebers des Events
• created_at: Der Zeitstempel des Events
• kind: Der Typ des Events
• tags: Zusätzliche Metadaten für das Event können in diesem Array hinterlegt werden
• content: Der textuelle Inhalt eines Events
• sig: 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?

@ 005bc4de:ef11e1a2

After dropping off a relative at the airport, my wife and I found ourselves in an area that was rather new to us and we had the whole afternoon open. So, what to do? We stopped by the local Visitor Center for ideas. The usual shopping and dining routine isn't a big interest to us (though I like to eat!). No, it was time to get outdoors.

So, some local trail maps gave some ideas and off we went. Hiking is nice, and, even though you're huffing it out when you hike, it's relaxing to be outdoors. An aimless amble in nature is the reward itself. But, it's also sometimes nice to have a destination in mind, a goal to reach. The trails we chose had a few waterfalls and three were within our range. Waterfalls are great as destinations: you usually have to hike rugged trails to get to them, but when you do, there's a big payoff. Here's a teaser:

Along the walk to waterfall number one, an interesting shadow caught my eye on the trail. The shadow looked like a wreath on the ground in a nearly perfect circle. With the other leaves, the shadow looked like a large blooming flower. Overhead, the maple branch was filtering out the light just right to make the shadow. I thought it was neat.

Just below that shadow, we came to the stream and saw the falls through the trees.

Here's a closer view of the falls. From where I took the pic, there was a steady roar of water, of course, and, you could feel the cool mist and breeze like natural air conditioning...a multi-sensory experience and yet another payoff for the hike. The young man in the image decided to do a hand stand, because, that's what you do at the base of a waterfall, right?

A second falls was called Triple Falls. I bet you can guess why...

We went to a third falls which was low and wide, but really more of a swimming hole because the pool at the bottom was also wide and deep. It being a warm and sunny day, it was rather crowded with people cooling off. No photo because I didn't want to be the weird person pulling out a camera and taking pictures of people in their swimsuits!

The hike back was a nice, relaxing trail walk that looked like this:

Returning home, my wife agreed we made a good choice for the day.

.hostr

@ 5627e59c:d484729e

We only see\ What we are

What we are not\ We cannot see

This is how we know\ Reality is happening within\ Our own being

And experience is a consequence\ Of who we believe to be

As long as we deny\ And don't want to see

All the ways\ We think to be

Reality will seem\ Outside of our grasp

And separate\ From our experience of life

Such is our power

Yet such power\ Could only be

Of that which holds\ The entirety

@ 2cde0e02:180a96b9

墨 sumi ink & hanko red paste;

https://stacker.news/items/1004461

@ 5627e59c:d484729e

Liefde\ De samenkomst\ Van zien en zijn

Leven\ Het zijn en zien\ Een vorm gekregen

Sterven\ Een deur\ Die vrijheid geeft van vorm

En eeuwig leven\ Aan liefde

@ 6be5cc06:5259daf0

A posição do libertário que rejeita o cristianismo padece de sérias incoerências lógicas, históricas e filosóficas. Ao renegar as bases espirituais e culturais que tornaram possível o próprio ideal libertário, tal posição demonstra ser, ao mesmo tempo, autofágica e irracional. É o caso de alguém que se gloria dos frutos de uma árvore que corta pela raiz.

---

I. Fundamento histórico: a civilização da liberdade é cristã

Não foi o secularismo moderno, nem o paganismo antigo, que ergueram as instituições que protegem a dignidade da pessoa humana e os limites ao poder. Desde os primeiros séculos, a Igreja resistiu ao culto estatal romano, afirmando a soberania de Deus sobre os Césares — "Mais importa obedecer a Deus que aos homens" (Atos 5,29).

Foi o cristianismo que:

• Fundou universidades livres, onde o saber era buscado sob o primado da verdade;

• Defendeu a lei natural como fundamento do direito — uma doutrina que protege o indivíduo contra tiranias;

• Resgatou e aprofundou o conceito de pessoa, dotada de razão e livre-arbítrio, imagem de Deus, e, portanto, inalienavelmente digna e responsável.

Em momentos-chave da história, como nas disputas entre papado e império, nas resistências contra absolutismos, e na fundação do direito internacional por Francisco de Vitoria e a Escola de Salamanca, foi o cristianismo quem freou o poder estatal em nome de princípios superiores. A tradição cristã foi frequentemente o principal obstáculo à tirania, não seu aliado.

Negar isso é amputar a própria genealogia da liberdade ocidental.

Uma das chaves do cristianismo para a construção dessa civilização da liberdade foi a exaltação do individualismo. Ao afirmar que o ser humano é feito à imagem de Deus e que sua salvação é uma escolha pessoal, o cristianismo colocou o indivíduo no centro da moralidade e da liberdade. Diferente dos gregos, cuja ética era voltada para a polis e a cidade-estado, o cristianismo reafirma a suprema importância do indivíduo, com sua capacidade de escolha moral, responsabilidade pessoal e dignidade intrínseca. Esse princípio, mais do que qualquer outra religião, foi o alicerce do desenvolvimento da liberdade individual e da autonomia, valores que sustentam a civilização ocidental.

A ética grega, na melhor das hipóteses, descreve a ordem natural — mas não consegue justificar por que essa ordem deveria obrigar a vontade humana. Um Logos impessoal não tem autoridade moral. Uma ordem cósmica sem um Legislador é apenas um dado de fato, não uma norma vinculante. A vontade pode rebelar-se contra o telos — e sem um Deus justo, que ordena a natureza à perfeição, não há razão última para não o fazer.

A cultura grega teve uma influência indiscutível sobre o desenvolvimento da civilização ocidental, mas o cristianismo não só absorveu o que havia de bom na cultura grega, como também elevou e completou esses aspectos. O cristianismo, ao afirmar que todos os homens são feitos à imagem e semelhança de Deus e têm dignidade intrínseca, levou a uma noção de igualdade moral e liberdade que transcende as limitações da pólis grega.

---

II. Falsa dicotomia: fé e liberdade não são opostas

Com frequência equiparam a religião à coerção e à obediência cega. Mas isso é um equívoco: o cristianismo não se impõe pela força, mas apela à consciência. O próprio Deus, em sua relação com a criatura racional, respeita sua liberdade. Como ensina a Escritura:

"Se alguém quiser vir após mim..." (Mt 16,24);
"Eis que estou à porta e bato. Se alguém ouvir a minha voz e abrir a porta, entrarei em sua casa e cearei com ele." (Ap 3,20);
"Assim falai, e assim procedei, como devendo ser julgados pela lei da liberdade." (Tiago 2,12).

A adesão à fé deve ser livre, voluntária e racional, pois sem liberdade não há verdadeiro mérito, nem amor genuíno. Isso é mais compatível com o princípio de não agressão do que qualquer utopia secular. Ora, o núcleo do evangelho é voluntarista: salvação pessoal, conversão interior, caridade.

Ninguém deve ser forçado, contra sua vontade, a abraçar a fé, pois o ato de fé é por sua natureza voluntário (Dignitatis Humanae; CDC, cân. 748,2)

Se algum Estado usa da força para impor o cristianismo, afirmar que o cristianismo causou as coerções é tão equivocado quanto dizer que a propriedade privada causa o comunismo; é uma inversão da realidade, pois o comunismo surge precisamente da violação da propriedade. Portanto, a fé forçada é inválida em si mesma, pois viola a natureza do ato de crer, que deve ser livre.

---

III. Fundamento moral: sem transcendência, o libertarianismo flutua no vácuo

O libertário anticristão busca defender princípios objetivos — como a inviolabilidade do indivíduo e a ilegitimidade da agressão — sem um fundamento transcendente que lhes dê validade universal. Por que a agressão é errada? Por que alguém tem direito à vida, à liberdade, à propriedade? Sem uma explicação transcendental, as respostas para tais perguntas se tornam apenas opiniões ou convenções, não obrigações morais vinculantes. Se a moralidade é puramente humana, então os direitos podem ser modificados ou ignorados conforme a vontade da sociedade. O conceito de direitos naturais, tão caro ao libertarianismo, precisa de um solo metafísico que justifique sua universalidade e imutabilidade. Caso contrário, eles podem ser tratados apenas como acordos utilitários temporários ou preferências culturais, sem qualquer obrigatoriedade para todos os seres humanos em todas as circunstâncias.

Pensadores libertários seculares, como Ayn Rand e Murray Rothbard, tentaram ancorar os direitos naturais na razão humana ou na natureza do homem. Rand baseia sua ética no egoísmo racional, enquanto Rothbard apela à lei natural. Embora essas abordagens busquem objetividade, elas carecem de uma resposta definitiva para por que a razão ou a natureza humana obrigam moralmente todos os indivíduos. Sem um fundamento transcendente, suas concepções permanecem vulneráveis a interpretações subjetivas ou a cálculos utilitários.

Aqui, o cristianismo oferece uma explicação sólida e transcendental que fundamenta os direitos naturais. A visão cristã de que o ser humano foi criado à imagem e semelhança de Deus confere à pessoa uma dignidade intrínseca, imutável e universal. Essa dignidade não depende de fatores externos, como consenso social ou poder político, mas é uma característica inerente ao ser humano pela sua criação divina. A partir dessa perspectiva teológica, torna-se possível afirmar com base sólida que os direitos naturais são dados por Deus e, portanto, são universais e vinculantes.

O cristianismo também é a base de um sistema moral que distingue claramente justiça de legalidade. O Estado pode criar leis, mas isso não significa que essas leis sejam justas. A justiça, sob a ótica cristã, é uma expressão da ordem moral objetiva, algo que transcende as leis humanas e é definido pela vontade divina. Por isso, o libertarianismo cristão vê a agressão como uma violação de uma ordem moral objetiva, e não apenas uma violação de uma convenção social ou de um acordo utilitário.

Se a moralidade e os direitos naturais não forem fundamentados em um Logos criador e legislador, o que acontece é que o conceito de direito natural degenera para algo mais frágil, como um simples acordo utilitário. Nesse cenário, os direitos do indivíduo se tornam algo acordado entre os membros de uma sociedade, em vez de princípios imutáveis e universais. Os direitos podem ser negociados, alterados ou ignorados conforme o interesse do momento.

---

IV. Fundamento científico: a racionalidade moderna é filha da fé cristã

A ciência moderna só foi possível no contexto cultural cristão. Nenhuma outra civilização — nem a grega, nem a islâmica, nem a chinesa — produziu o método científico como o Ocidente cristão o fez.

Isso se deve a quatro premissas teológicas:

1. Criação racional: O mundo é ordenado por um Deus racional.

2. Distinção entre Criador e criatura: A natureza não é divina e pode ser estudada sem sacrilégio.

3. Valor do trabalho e da observação empírica, herdado do monaquismo.

4. Autonomia institucional, presente nas universidades medievais.

A doutrina cristã da Criação ex nihilo ensina que o mundo foi criado por um Deus racional, sábio e pessoal. Portanto, o cosmos é ordenado, possui leis, e pode ser compreendido pela razão humana — que é imagem do Criador. Isso contrasta fortemente com as cosmovisões panteístas ou mitológicas, onde o mundo é cíclico, arbitrário ou habitado por forças caprichosas.

Sem essa fé no Logos criador, não há razão para crer que a natureza tenha uma ordem inteligível universal e constante, que pode ser descoberta por observação e dedução. A ciência moderna só é possível porque, antes de investigar a natureza, pressupôs-se que ela era investigável — e isso foi uma herança direta do pensamento cristão.

Homens como Bacon, Newton, Kepler e Galileu viam na ciência um modo de glorificar o Criador. O ateísmo cientificista é, portanto, parasitário da teologia cristã, pois toma seus frutos e rejeita suas raízes. A ciência moderna nasceu como filha legítima da fé cristã. E os que hoje a usam contra sua mãe, ou são ingratos, ou ignorantes.

---

V. O cristianismo como barreira à revolução cultural

O cristianismo é a barreira mais sólida contra a infiltração revolucionária. A chamada "marcha gramsciana", que visa corroer os fundamentos morais da sociedade para subjugar o indivíduo ao coletivo, encontra sua resistência mais firme nos princípios cristãos. A fé cristã, ao proclamar a existência de uma verdade objetiva, de uma lei moral imutável e de uma dignidade humana que transcende o Estado e o consenso social, imuniza a civilização contra o relativismo e o igualitarismo nivelador do marxismo cultural.

Além disso, o cristianismo é uma tradição milenar, profundamente enraizada no cotidiano das pessoas, não sendo uma novidade a ser imposta ou implementada, mas uma força presente há séculos, que permeia a estrutura social, moral e cultural da sociedade. Sua presença constante nas comunidades, desde os tempos mais antigos, oferece uma resistência robusta contra qualquer tentativa de subverter a ordem natural e moral estabelecida.

Não por acaso, tanto Karl Marx quanto Antonio Gramsci identificaram no cristianismo o principal obstáculo à realização de seus projetos revolucionários. Marx chamou a religião de "ópio do povo" porque sabia que uma alma ancorada em Deus não se submete facilmente ao poder terreno; Gramsci, mais sutil, propôs a destruição da cultura cristã como pré-condição para o triunfo do socialismo. Sem essa âncora transcendente, a sociedade torna-se presa fácil das engenharias sociais que pretendem redefinir arbitrariamente o homem, a família e a liberdade.

---

Conclusão

O libertário anticristão, consciente ou não, nega as fundações mesmas do edifício que habita. Ao rejeitar o cristianismo, cava o abismo sob os próprios pés, privando o ideal libertário de sua base moral, cultural e racional. Ele defende a ética voluntária, a liberdade individual e a ordem espontânea, mas sem o solo metafísico e histórico que torna esses princípios inteligíveis e possíveis. É um erro tentar preservar a liberdade em termos absolutos sem reconhecer as raízes cristãs que a sustentam, pois o cristianismo é a única tradição que a legitima e a viabiliza.

Negar o cristianismo é racionalmente insustentável. A liberdade, como a conhecemos, é filha da fé cristã, que oferece a base moral e metafísica que torna a liberdade tanto desejável quanto possível. Mesmo que ateu, o libertário que ama a liberdade deveria, no mínimo, respeitar — e, idealmente, redescobrir — essas raízes cristãs. Pois sem fé, restam apenas o niilismo e o relativismo, que, eventualmente, desaguam na servidão.

Como nos ensina a tradição: Ubi fides ibi libertas — onde há fé, há liberdade.

@ fe02e8ec:f07fbe0b

Wir können davon ausgehen, dass die allermeisten Personen, die das hier lesen, die realen Funktionen der Mainstream-Medien schon länger erkannt haben. Diese bestehen vor allem darin, der Bevölkerung das von den herrschenden Kräften gewünschte Bild der Wirklichkeit zu vermitteln oder überhaupt zu erzeugen. Der Altmeister der Propaganda, Edward Bernays, hat dies bereits 1928 beschrieben, als die Massenmedien nur aus Tageszeitungen bestanden:

«Die bewusste und intelligente Manipulation der organisierten Gewohnheiten und Meinungen der Massen ist ein wichtiges Element einer demokratischen Gesellschaft.»

Und an anderer Stelle: «Diejenigen, die diesen unsichtbaren Mechanismus der Gesellschaft manipulieren, bilden eine unsichtbare Regierung, die die wahre herrschende Macht unseres Landes ist.» Oder Noam Chomsky, einer der gelehrtesten Kritiker staatlicher Machtausübung:

«Indoktrination ist keineswegs inkompatibel mit der Demokratie. Vielmehr ihre Essenz. Ohne Knüppel, ohne Kontrolle durch Gewalt muss man das Denken kontrollieren. Dazu greift man zu dem, was in ehrlicheren Zeiten Propaganda genannt wurde.»

Man könnte noch eine ganze Reihe weiterer höchst aussagekräftiger Zitate anführen, von Walter Lippman («Die öffentliche Meinung»), Gustave Le Bon («Psychologie der Massen») bis hin zu John F. Kennedy oder ganz aktuell Mattias Desmet («Massenbildung»). Nichts davon ist neu, alles wurde seit Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts ausführlich und sehr konkret beschrieben.

Und doch kennt die Mehrheit der Bevölkerung keine einzige dieser Aussagen.

Jeder, der selbst seinen ureigenen Erkenntnisprozess durchgemacht hat, kommt unweigerlich zu dem Ergebnis, dass die Welt, wie sie uns durch Politik und Medien vorgespielt wird, zumeist nichts anderes ist als ein großes Schauspiel. Stets werden die wahren Absichten und Ziele verborgen, nie wird die ganze Wahrheit enthüllt, höchstens ein paar Stücke davon, wenn es sich gar nicht mehr verhindern lässt.

«Macht hat derjenige, der große Ereignisse herbeiführen kann. Doch noch größere Macht haben diejenigen, die bestimmen können, was die Menschen über die Ereignisse denken» (aus: «Hinter der Zukunft»).

Diese Erkenntnis hat bei vielen zu dem Entschluss geführt, die «Unwissenden» über diese Tatsachen zu informieren. Denn es kann ja nicht sein, dass sich Familie, Freunde, Bekannte weiterhin so täuschen lassen. Die große Ent-Täuschung war das Ziel. Doch das Ergebnis war die eigentliche Enttäuschung: hitzige Diskussionen, Streitereien am Familientisch, Abbruch von Freundschaften. Selbst das Vorführen des Einsturzes von WTC 7, dem dritten Gebäude, das am 11. September 2001 in Fallgeschwindigkeit vollkommen symmetrisch eingestürzt war, konnte nicht überzeugen.

Verschwörungstheorien?

Alles Verschwörungstheorien. Seit der Ermordung John F. Kennedys hat dieser Begriff – ursprünglich von der CIA eingeführt — ein immer größeres Minenfeld wachsen lassen, um Themen von offener Diskussion abzuschirmen. In diesem Minenfeld sind unzählige Freundschaften explodiert, Karrieren abgestürzt und Menschen in die innere Isolation getrieben worden. Deshalb muss es hier erwähnt werden. Denn das ist die Gefahr, in die sich jeder begibt, der versucht, über seine Erkenntnisse zu sprechen oder zu schreiben. Die Gefahr des sozialen Ausschlusses. Ein schauerliches Beispiel lieferte Anfang Mai in menschenverachtender Weise ein gewisser Böhmermann ab. Sein Ziel war es, den Betreiber des youtube-Kanals Clownswelt, der die Machenschaften des medialen und politischen Personals satirisch zum Vorschein bringt, gesellschaftlich zu vernichten. Denn das ist das Damoklesschwert, das über denjenigen hängt, die das Minenfeld betreten, Tabus antasten und das Overton-window verlassen. Diffamierung, sozialer Ausschluss, Job-Verlust. Reicht auch das nicht, so droht die Kündigung des Bankkontos oder gar eine Hausdurchsuchung. Alles hundertfach geschehen. Und der Normalbürger hat absolut keine Idee, dass so etwas überhaupt in unserem Staat geschieht. Denn es kommt nicht in der Tagesschau, im Spiegel oder der SZ.

Ratlosigkeit, Verzweiflung bis hin zu Aggression sind oft die Folge dieser weltanschaulichen Zweiteilung. Wie ist es möglich, dass Menschen das Offensichtliche nicht sehen, selbst wenn es im Video vor ihnen abläuft? Wenn man sich die Lügenkonstrukte um Klima, Corona oder Ukraine ansieht, dann könnte man daran verzweifeln, dass es die «Anderen» nicht begreifen. Wenn die Dinge derart klar zu sehen sind, wieso gelingt es dann nicht, andere davon zu überzeugen? Nicht wenige zogen sich zurück, recherchierten noch ausführlicher, fanden einen Hinweis nach dem anderen, dass die Welt und ihre Systeme ganz anders beschaffen sind, als es dem Normalbürger vorgegaukelt wird. Dabei musste jeder – wirklich jeder – für sich immer neu die Grenze dessen finden, was noch glaubhaft war und was nicht.

Wie viele Stunden, Tage, Monate verbrachte (und verbringt) ein durch diesen Prozess gegangener Mensch mit seinen Recherchen? Wie oft ist er in die Falle einer Theorie geraten, die sich im Nachhinein als erfunden herausgestellt hat? Wie viele Texte zu historischen Vorgängen, zu verborgenen Organisationen, zu Kindesmissbrauch, satanischen Riten oder Blutlinien wollen noch erforscht werden? Wann ist man zufrieden mit den teils radikalen Anpassungen seines eigenen Weltbildes? Wann darf man sich als «aufgewacht» bezeichnen?

Wie gelingt Verständigung?

Wenn ein Elektrotechnik Ingenieur einem Laien die Regelungstechnik erklärt, so wird er kaum auf großes Verständnis stoßen. Wenn ein «Master in Conspiracy Theory» einem Tagesschauseher die Welt erklärt, wie wahrscheinlich ist es, dass hier Verständnis entsteht? Wenn jemand, der in 30 telegram Kanälen ca. 500 Artikel zu Covid-Ursprung, mRNA, Lipidnanopartikel und Ct-Wert beim PCR Test gelesen hat, der Verkäuferin bei REWE klarmachen will, dass Masken keinen Nutzen haben: wie hoch ist die Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass er Erfolg hat? Diese Beispiele sollen eines verdeutlichen: die Informationshintergründe sind inzwischen derart fundamental verschieden, dass kaum noch Verständigung gelingt. Der entscheidende Unterschied besteht darin, dass die Informationskompetenten beide Seiten der Medaille kennen, während der andere Teil der Bevölkerung nur die eine, die «offizielle» Seite kennt.

Was aber bewegt Menschen überhaupt dazu, immer tiefer zu recherchieren, um dabei das eigene Weltbild gezielt zu erweitern und anzupassen? Es ist – neben dem Wunsch nach mehr Gerechtigkeit – das Bedürfnis nach Sinnfindung in dieser Welt. Ein elementares Bedürfnis, das in der Rangliste unserer Motive sehr weit oben steht. Hierbei geht es nicht um den Lebenssinn – dazu kommen wir gleich – sondern um das Verständnis dessen, was uns als die «äußere Welt» präsentiert wird. Mit all ihren Verwerfungen, Ungerechtigkeiten, politischen Ideologien und so weiter. Denn es ist schließlich diese Welt, in der wir leben, in der wir uns zurechtfinden, in der wir unseren Lebensunterhalt verdienen müssen. Die spannende Frage ist also eher: Weshalb geben sich so viele mit der Oberfläche zufrieden?

Die Antwort ist erstaunlich einfach: aus Angst. Angst davor, das bisher als sicher geglaubte in Frage stellen zu müssen, den sicheren Boden des eigenen Weltbildes unter den Füßen zu verlieren. Deshalb stieg in den dunklen Covid-Jahren das Vertrauen in Politik und staatsnahe Medien massiv an. Denn wer mit einer – scheinbar – tödlichen Gefahr konfrontiert wird, der sucht in diesem Moment nicht nach neuen Informationsquellen, sondern bleibt bei dem, was man schon immer kannte – vor allem, wenn das auch die Mehrheit macht!

Das zweite Erwachen

Bei allem Bemühen, die Zusammenhänge dieser Welt zu verstehen, kommen viele an einen Punkt, an dem sie realisieren, dass sie erstens: Nie alles verstehen werden. Und zweitens: Dass es Wichtigeres gibt. Das mag überraschend klingen, aber genauso ist es. Das Leben selbst offenbart sich uns nicht am Bildschirm, nicht in Recherchen oder in immer weiterführenden Artikeln. Das Leben im Hier und Jetzt kann nur erfahren und gelebt werden. Das größte Hindernis dabei ist – unser Verstand. Also genau das «Organ», das uns immer weiter in die Tiefen der scheinbaren Realitätserkenntnis treibt ist zugleich verantwortlich dafür, dass wir uns vom Leben selbst entfernen. Welch merkwürdige Erkenntnis. Ist es überhaupt eine Erkenntnis oder nicht viel eher eine Behauptung? Genau an diesem Punkt geht es um ein zweites Erwachen! Nicht aus der polit-medialen Illusionsmatrix, sondern aus der Matrix unserer scheinbar rein materiellen Welt.

Ist dies eine Zwangsläufigkeit? Wohl kaum. Ist es notwendig? In gewisser Weise: ja. Denn nur der Abstand von dieser als ungerecht, grausam oder hoffnungslos empfundenen Welt befreit von Wut, Ohnmacht und Empörung. Im Artikel «Wachstum nach Innen» auf manova wird dieser Prozess ausführlicher beschrieben. Zitat:

«Heute leben wir zum ersten Mal in der Menschheitsgeschichte (!) in einer Epoche, in der es dem Einzelnen frei steht, seinen ganz eigenen Zugang zur Spiritualität zu suchen und zu finden. Es ist dies vielleicht die größte Herausforderung, der sich ein Mensch stellen kann!»

An diesem Punkt ist jeder auf sich selbst zurückgeworfen. Hier geht es nicht um Religionszugehörigkeit oder kirchliche Traditionen, sondern um authentische Erfahrungen.

Die Möglichkeit dieses zweiten «Erwachens», bringt ein Versprechen mit sich: wahrhafte Befreiung. Zum Beispiel von dem Wunsch, immer noch tiefer graben zu wollen. Oder stets andere überzeugen zu wollen. Oder sich überlegen zu fühlen. Es führt unweigerlich zu einer Relativierung: wem oder was gebe ich Bedeutung? Denn diese Freiheit kommt garantiert mit: die Freiheit, selbst Bedeutung verleihen zu können! Nicht mehr getrieben zu sein, viel öfter ein Wahl zu haben.

Sollte das wie ein Ausweichen oder gar Rückzug aus der Welt klingen, so wäre das ein Missverständnis. Es ist eine Veränderung des Standpunktes, des Fokus. Tatsächlich bringt es auch einen gewissen Abstand mit sich, zu dem was «da draußen» geschieht. Denn welche Erfahrungen der Einzelne auch selbst gemacht haben mag, wie auch immer er sie interpretiert: die Welt ist nicht mehr dieselbe.

Damit einher geht eine Veränderung der Gefühlswelt. Wo vorher vielfach Empörung, Ärger oder Wut vorherrschten kann mit dieser inneren Distanz vieles weniger emotional betrachtet werden. In der Dauerempörung liegt zwar einerseits Energie, um sich zu engagieren, zugleich liegt darin aber die große Gefahr, auszubrennen. Daniele Ganser, einer der ganz wichtigen Aufklärer unserer Zeit, bietet nicht umsonst seit Jahren Seminare zum Thema «Achtsamkeit» an. Dabei geht es vor allem um unsere innere Wahrnehmung, um einen Abstand zwischen «Ich» und meinem Gefühl oder Bedürfnis. Eine wichtige Voraussetzung, um aus der Spirale der Negativität zu entkommen. Denn diese Gefahr ist allgegenwärtig. Während Tagesschau & Co permanent Angst erzeugen vor Klima, Viren oder Putin, so wird in den «alternativen Medien» ähnliches geboten, nur mit anderem Vorzeichen. Die Bedrohung der mächtigen Organisationen WEF, UN, WHO, Nato, EU u. a., die Planung der Bargeldabschaffung, der digitalen ID, des persönlichen CO2-Budgets… Dies sind reale Vorhaben, keine Frage. Ob und wie sie jemals Realität werden kann aus heutiger Sicht jedoch niemand beantworten. Die Welt verändert sich derzeit schneller als seit Jahrzehnten. Und manche Sorgen bewahrheiten sich zum Glück nicht.

Der eigene Wirkungsbereich

Die ständige Beschäftigung mit diesen Bedrohungen bedroht vor allem eines: die eigene Lebensqualität. Wie kann man das Wahre, Schöne, Gute erkennen, wenn man sich tagein, tagaus mit Lüge, Verbrechern, Komplotten beschäftigt? Schwierig bis unmöglich.

«Ändere, was du ändern kannst, bleibe gelassen, bei allem was du nicht ändern kannst und lerne zeitlebens, das eine vom anderen zu unterscheiden».

Es ist eine der ältesten Lebensweisheiten, und doch ist sie so gültig wie eh und je. Die Herausforderung besteht gerade im Unterscheiden. Es geht um den eigenen Wirkungsbereich, denn dies ist der einzige Ort, wo tatsächlich etwas bewirkt werden kann. Wie groß der jeweils ist, das unterscheidet sich tatsächlich massiv. Zudem ist er nicht statisch. Es kann ein berechtigtes Ziel sein, diesen Bereich auszudehnen. Über Social Media, eigene Artikel, Diskussionsrunden, Demos, Events, Videos, was auch immer.

Natürlich geschieht das seit Jahren vielfach, einige Websites und Kanäle haben weit über 100.000 Leser oder Follower. Doch auch wenn die Reichweite größer wird, so steigt die Zufriedenheit nicht unbedingt in gleichem Maß. Denn stets muss man erkennen, dass die mit Milliarden finanzierten staatsnahen Medien beliebigen Schrott produzieren können und damit mehr Menschen erreichen, als die mit viel Herzblut erstellten eigenen Arbeiten. Und irgendwann stellt sich dann die Frage: «Was bringt das alles?» Oder, wie Gunnar Kaiser am Ende seiner bewundernswerten Tätigkeit: «Habe ich genug getan»?

Habe ich genug getan

Dies ist die Frage, auf die es keine Antwort gibt. Was wäre denn genug? Einen Menschen davor bewahrt zu haben, sich eine experimentelle Substanz injizieren zu lassen und damit mögliche Gesundheitsschäden zu erleiden? Wieso nicht. Hunderte Menschen zum Nachdenken gebracht, Tausenden Lesern ein Gefühl von «Ich-bin-nicht-allein» gegeben zu haben? Absolut! Hunderttausende Kommentare geben ein lebendiges Feedback, eine Bestätigung, dass man wertvolle Arbeit leistet. Es sind heute Millionen mehr, als zu Beginn der dunklen Pandemie-Jahre. Das ist der Wirkungskreis, den man sich erarbeitet hat, in dem ein Teil der Menschheitsfamilie eine geistige Heimat findet, fernab der permanenten Indoktrinationsversuche. Das ist es wert.

Und es gibt noch eine weitere positive Seite: man lernt Gleichgesinnte kennen und kann endlich über all das diskutieren, was man schon längst mit jemandem teilen wollte! Dies ist in keiner Weise sarkastisch gemeint, denn es ist elementar für jeden von uns, frei und offen sprechen zu können, ohne den Zensor im Kopf. Man lernt höchst interessante Menschen kennen - überall auf der Welt. Die man ohne Covid & Co niemals kennengelernt hätte. Vielleicht ergibt sich daraus das eine oder andere Projekt, das in die Zukunft weist? Auch das ist es wert.

Kläre die Menschen auf\ und Tyrannei und Unterdrückung \ von Körper und Geist werden verschwinden.\ Gerade so wie die bösen Geister\ wenn die Morgensonne ihre Strahlen sendet.

Thomas Jefferson

@ c1e9ab3a:9cb56b43

Star Wars is often viewed as a myth of rebellion, freedom, and resistance to tyranny. The iconography—scrappy rebels, totalitarian stormtroopers, lone smugglers—suggests a deep anti-authoritarian ethos. Yet, beneath the surface, the narrative arc of Star Wars consistently affirms the necessity, even sanctity, of central authority. This blog entry introduces the question: Is Star Wars fundamentally a celebration of statism?

---

Rebellion as Restoration, Not Revolution

The Rebel Alliance’s mission is not to dismantle centralized power, but to restore the Galactic Republic—a bureaucratic, centrally governed institution. Characters like Mon Mothma and Bail Organa are high-ranking senators, not populist revolutionaries. The goal is to remove the corrupt Empire and reinstall a previous central authority, presumed to be just.

• Rebels are loyalists to a prior state structure.
• Power is not questioned, only who wields it.

---

Jedi as Centralized Moral Elites

The Jedi, often idealized as protectors of peace, are unelected, extra-legal enforcers of moral and military order. Their authority stems from esoteric metaphysical abilities rather than democratic legitimacy.

• They answer only to their internal Council.
• They are deployed by the Senate, but act independently of civil law.
• Their collapse is depicted as tragic not because they were unaccountable, but because they were betrayed.

This positions them as a theocratic elite, not spiritual anarchists.

---

Chaos and the Frontier: The Case of the Cantina

The Mos Eisley cantina, often viewed as a symbol of frontier freedom, reveals something darker. It is: - Lawless - Violent - Culturally fragmented

Conflict resolution occurs through murder, not mediation. Obi-Wan slices off a limb; Han shoots first—both without legal consequence. There is no evidence of property rights, dispute resolution, or voluntary order.

This is not libertarian pluralism—it’s moral entropy. The message: without centralized governance, barbarism reigns.

---

The Mythic Arc: Restoration of the Just State

Every trilogy in the saga returns to a single theme: the fall and redemption of legitimate authority.

1. Prequels: Republic collapses into tyranny.
2. Originals: Rebels fight to restore legitimate order.
3. Sequels: Weak governance leads to resurgence of authoritarianism; heroes must reestablish moral centralism.

The story is not anti-state—it’s anti-bad state. The solution is never decentralization; it’s the return of the right ruler or order.

---

Conclusion: The Hidden Statism of a Rebel Myth

Star Wars wears the costume of rebellion, but tells the story of centralized salvation. It: - Validates elite moral authority (Jedi) - Romanticizes restoration of fallen governments (Republic) - Portrays decentralized zones as corrupt and savage (outer rim worlds)

It is not an anarchist parable, nor a libertarian fable. It is a statist mythology, clothed in the spectacle of rebellion. Its core message is not that power should be abolished, but that power belongs to the virtuous few.

---

Question to Consider:
If the Star Wars universe consistently affirms the need for centralized moral and political authority, should we continue to see it as a myth of freedom? Or is it time to recognize it as a narrative of benevolent empire?

@ 3c559080:a053153e

So firstly you should find an emulator for whatever you want to play on. There are many for desktop and mobile devices. Checkhere for a list of all the available consoles and their various emulators.

Next what game do you want to play? This is the like the homepage for a shit ton of roms.

Some of the more popular roms are there and other various list like Sony Nintendo

After narrowing down your selection you will end up on myrient i assume this is just some dope person hosting all these so if you get some use out of it, think of donating they even take corn, but other shitcoins too (but thats not the focus here)

Once you download the Rom of the game you want, you will get a compressed (zip) folder, unzip it and within it will be the rom, most systems will identify your emulator and use it open the game. If not, launch the emulator and within it should be an option to open a file, open the file in the unzipped folder.

Enjoy So you want to Mod?

So every Mod, is a mod for a specific game [ex. Pokemon Blue, Pokemon FireRed, Super Mario Bros.] so it requires you to get the Rom for that base game, the mod itself, and a tool to patch it. There is an online tool to easily patch the mod to the ROM. IMPORTANT, this will not change any naming, Id recommend having a folder with the base game roms, and a folder for the mods, and lastly a folder for the newly modded roms. Make sure to name or just save the game in modded roms folder after the patch.

Below are a few resource to find various Pokemon Rom mods(sometimes called hacks)

• r/PokemonROMhacks
• Good Compilations of Hacks and Resource/Guides

Personally, Pokemon Unbound is considered the best most polished hack. it runs on Pokemon Fire Red.

Pokemon Emerald Rouge is a cool take on the popular Rougelite genre. This runs on base game Pokemon Emerald

@ 5627e59c:d484729e

Muziek\ Jij harmonieus geluid

Een gevoel zo uniek\ Op geen andere manier geuit

Ik ben zo dankbaar voor de vrijheid die jij me schenkt\ Om gewoon even te zijn\ In dit dierbare moment

@ 472f440f:5669301e

Marty'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

via Trending Politics

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

---

Take the First Step Off the Exchange

Bitkey is an easy, secure way to move your Bitcoin into self-custody. With simple setup and built-in recovery, it’s the perfect starting point for getting your coins off centralized platforms and into cold storage—no complexity, no middlemen.

Take control. Start with Bitkey.

Use the promo code “TFTC20” during checkout for 20% off

---

Ten31, the largest bitcoin-focused investor, has deployed $150.00M 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.

---

Final thought...

I feel old.

---

Get this newsletter sent to your inbox daily: https://www.tftc.io/bitcoin-brief/

Subscribe to our YouTube channels and follow us on Nostr and X:

@ 5627e59c:d484729e

Gelukkig zijn\ Is de waarde van mijn leven

Gewoon dankbaar te bestaan\ Geen mens heeft me ooit zo'n mooi cadeau gegeven

Dankbaar voor mijn sprankelen\ Mijn doen en voor mijn streven

Maar ook dat ik mag wankelen\ Mag vallen en mag beven

Want wat er ook gebeurt\ Het duurt steeds maar voor even

De wijsheid van mijn hart\ Voor alles is een reden

Het leven brengt mij deugd\ En soms brengt het me pijn

Maar nooit neemt het die vreugd\ De toelating om hier te zijn

De kans om iets te leren\ Te zien en om te groeien

Geeft mij kracht te accepteren\ Te omarmen en te bloeien

@ 57412389:2b288de5

Bitcoin heavily overlaps with politics because monetary policy is political regardless of what The Federal Reserve will admit. The Libertarian movement, if you’d call it that, is huge among Bitcoiners. Ron Paul is seen as an idol and the issue that surrounds money printing and government debt is harped on to no end. We all know full and well our government shouldn’t be printing money in the now at the detriment of future generations. Because of this so many Bitcoiners spend their precious time ranting and raving against politicans on either side of the isle for monetary debasement even though it would be political suicide for a candidate to suggest cutting the big ticket items needed like Social Security or Medicaid. Winning democratic elections is largely promising the masses more and more handouts.

Bitcoiners know there is mathematically no fixing the debt issue. It’s grown into too strong of a final boss to defeat without a complete meltdown of value held by the working class. They won’t cut spending, they won’t default, their only real option is to inflate it away. We all understand what this means for Joe Public and that’s why we’ve decided to store our wealth in the scarcest asset.

We watched the Red Wave engulf the political landscape in 2024. The party who ran on getting spending under control holds both chambers of Congress and the White House. They can largely do whatever they want for the next two years. Six months later, instead of cutting spending they’re looking to pass a bill to raise the debt ceiling even further and DOGE has been such a flop Elon rage quit and insinuated the President is a pedophile. At face value it’s a huge betrayal of voters who elected these guys into office and Elon is right to be enraged.

Elon’s issue is that he looked at the problem through principle-colored glasses and principles get you killed in politics. Of course cutting spending is the honorable thing to do, it’s just not the smart thing to do if you’re a politician trying to bend the country against the will of the other team. Put yourself in Trump’s shoes for a second. Your number one issue is immigration. These efforts cost money. Hiring more Border Patrol costs money. Paying tons of ICE agents to run around the country hunting down illegal immigrants isn’t cheap. Housing the captured illegals and putting them on planes to foreign countries is going to run up a bill. Sure Trump could yank funds from other government programs and piss off those folks to fund his deportation efforts, but why do that when he has a tool (the printer) he knows the other side would use for their prerogatives? If his term comes and goes, he plays by the rules and doesn’t print money to fund his efforts, he only gets a fraction of the deportations that he could have by printing, and then the blue team gets into office in 2028 and cranks up the printer to fund their gambit they win. Both side has shown their willingness to use the printer to their advantage. That precedent was set and accepted long ago. If either side ever decided to play by the old rules of only spending what you have they’d be blown out of the water with nothing to show for their honorable deed.

Imagine you’re the GM of an MLB team in the steroid era. Guys all over the league are clearly juicing. It’s not exactly a secret when guys are hitting twice as many homeruns as they ever have and their arms double in size during the offseason. You know it’s going on, but steroids are against the rules even though the league isn’t testing players. You decide to stand for what’s right and subject your team to randomized steroid testing and suspend them if they pop positive. How do you think your team’s going to fare when the other squads aren’t operating on the same principles and are willingly running out as many roided out guys as possible? You’re handicapping your own team by doing the honorable thing. You’re forced to ignore the steroid issue if you want to stay competitive.

No political party will ever shape the country in the way it is capable of by putting it on a sane fiscal track while the other spends like an addict. The parties will never come to a handshake agreement to stop the ludacris printing because the side who eventually breaks the truce benefits the most.

Nothing stops this train. There’s not even an appetite to stop this train. Ignore political discourse around the national debt. Vote based on other issues important to you. Buy Bitcoin.

@ 5188521b:008eb518

Elysium

Part I: The Failed Harvest

First, the quiet came. Each day, the markets grew quieter, the people hungrier. A farmer stared at wilted crops, dread settling in his heart. In a kingdom once resplendent with markets and sky-reaching monuments, it was the first failed harvest that marked the end of affluence and the beginning of collapse.

By the second year, market traders stood before empty stalls, goods long gone, rotten, or ruined. Jobless men prowled, foraging the streets for vermin and meager scraps of sustenance. Young women offered their time for bread, their eyes hollow in the act. Widows, too, entered strangers’ homes, bartering themselves for their children’s next meal. Orphans, gaunt and brittle, drew meaningless shapes in the dust, their laughter a forgotten memory.

Rumors surged like wind through dry grass. Scapegoats were blamed; superstitions gripped the masses. By the third year, it was known to the people and the king alike, there would be no more monuments erected, only tombstones. The king called the council, heavy with despair. In a room filled with tension, ministers and knights sat around a table.

Before them stood the realm’s wisest farmer, a man worn from years of labor, hunger, and loss. His voice echoed the deep hunger that gripped the kingdom. “Your Majesty, the land is weary. It cries for respite.” His words hung heavy in the room, laying bare the reality of their fate.

Part II: The Devil’s Pact

In the dimly lit chamber, a palpable tension filled the air. The alchemist, servant to the king and master of arcane arts, stepped into the flickering candlelight. He held an aged book, its scent mingling with the murk of looming spells. With a voice both smooth and haunting, he shattered the quiet, his words a ripple through stone walls.

“Sire, alchemy is our last refuge. We can harvest time to feed the earth,” he began, revealing a parchment inked with cryptic circles and lines. “Each citizen, willingly or not, will spare a mere whisper of their years. An unnoticeable offering. With careful alchemy, we can replenish our lands and fortify your reign with the alms of myriad souls.” Leaning closer, he whispered the words that would redefine their civilization: a devil’s proposal intended for the king but felt by all. “Consider, my lord, a reign without end, each year stretched beyond nature’s limits, a kingdom fed by the borrowed time of its people. No more famine. No more want.”

The court waited, their faces etched with fear and desperate hope, ready to tread any path that led away from the abyss of famine.

For a moment, the king was a statue, his face a veil behind which storms brewed. Finally, exhaling a breath heavy with fate, he spoke. “We’ve endured enough hardship. We shall seize a future that knows no famine.”

The air thickened as the alchemist retreated with a solemn nod, the weight of the chosen path settling in.

He reopened his tome and voiced the incantation. Arcane syllables filled the room, weaving a desperate gambit to salvage their decaying kingdom. Thus, in the dark hours of night, they sealed a new covenant that would reverberate through generations.

Part III: Vines and Moss

In the decades that followed the alchemist’s rites, the kingdom thrived like spring after a bitter winter. Fields were lush year-round, erasing hunger and the memories of famine. Marketplaces bustled, no longer a graveyard of commerce but a carnival of exotic goods from every corner of the world. The air seemed perfumed with prosperity — healthy river fish, basilisk meats, and spices from faraway lands. A century rolled by. The king, unaging, stretched his influence over land and sea, turning his realm into an empire. Statues weathered, and languages evolved, but the king abided.

Yet, a toll was exacted. Years stolen from the people, a time tax woven into the fabric of life. The spell fed both earth and crown, cloaking decay with a veneer of wealth. The young wore the faces of old men, their eyes wise beyond their years. Every heartbeat was a sacrifice, a quiet tax to feed the castles of power.

Then came the year when the land rebelled. Coaxed by the spell, the soil had given until it couldn’t, its silent plea for rest ignored. The land remembered stolen seasons, now determined to settle old scores. Crops withered; rivers soured. Beasts waned, their numbers thinning. The kingdom, starved of Earth’s gifts, unraveled — not from human revolt, but from the silent insurrection of the land that once fed them.

With hunger as the harbinger, society fractured. Chaos and mass confusion swallowed the land, a virulent blight not even alchemy could stem. Witch hunts raged for a merciless century, fire consuming flesh and innocence. Men’s strength wilted, armies disbanded. Women, walking in the agonizing footsteps of famine-haunted foremothers, bartered touch for bread.

Monuments lay buried under vines and moss. Fertile lands turned barren. Schools emptied, their echoing halls abandoned, and children torn from learning, were sent to farm dying lands. Art withered. Painters swapped colors for shades of gray, and soon vanished altogether. Teachers and engineers were supplanted by an ever-growing class of soil-bound serfs.

Desperate, the eternal king sought another spell. He asked the people not for mere years but decades. The alchemist obliged, crafting another spell from dark incantations. Yet the ravaged earth, too spent to yield, exacted a monstrous price: lifetimes for crumbs of bread. People, skeletal, on the verge of vanishing, offered their very existence. A silence settled, a collective sacrifice borne not in rebellion, but in surrender.

Part IV: Clara The Torchbearer

In the land between sleep and waking, Clara was a child again, standing at the threshold of a room aglow with amber light. Her mother ground herbs, the wooden table before her strewn with books, vials, and leaves. “These aren’t just leaves and liquids,” her mother said. “They’re doors to the gardens of your mind.” Her words sank into Clara like stones into deep water.

She woke to a gusting wind. Her dream dissolved like morning mist. The sun broke over the kingdom, time’s toll evident in every vine-entangled ruin. Light spilled into her chamber.

Clara’s room was modest: a bed, a wardrobe, a desk. On it, a lone candle and scattered books that whispered of the kingdom’s past grandeur and freedoms now lost. It was her mother’s notes and books, crafted in the quiet, away from royal eyes — a puzzle to decipher, a quest still yearning for footsteps.

She draped a linen robe over her shoulders and approached the window, her fingers ink-stained from yesterday’s writings. Below, people shuffled through life, joyless and muted.

The spell cast long ago had become an oppressive, faceless dictator. It promised bread but dealt only crumbs, a tarnished magic now woven into the kingdom’s culture as enduringly as its ancient stone walls and teeming graveyards.

She remembered the cold spring day she put her mother in the earth. The ground was hard, the casket simple. The tombstone bore the words: ‘Seed in Drought.’

The chambermaid standing beside her asked what it meant.

“Her wish,” Clara answered. Her face gave nothing away, her thoughts a distant country.

From her room, Clara watched the people below — eyes down, spirits broken. Clara was not like the others. She carried an inner fire, gifted from her mother, a quiet revolt against a gray world.

In her room’s sanctuary, amid ink and parchment molded by hands long stilled, Clara found traces of a freer past, free from famine and theft of years. A past now entrusted to her. As she flipped through the timeworn pages of an ancient tome, something caught Clara’s eye. In the margins of the text, a note penned in her mother’s hand: “For Clara — Elric is the keeper of truths that free us. Go where I could not. Find him.” Below it, a tender signature, her mother’s name etched in ink.

The name ‘Elric’ stirred a latent memory, a shared secret often spoken by her mother. Filled with a sense of destiny, Clara closed her worn books and left her chamber.

At the age of twenty, for the first time, she ventured beyond the confining walls of her castle. Guided by remnants of forgotten eras, she set forth to unearth truths long interred but never wholly erased. Her compass drew her toward the Whispering Pines, a land untouched by the alchemist’s dark arts and, as her mother had often mentioned, the rumored dwelling of Elric.

Part V: Far to Go

Clara walked through towns void of kindness, over land stripped of life. Each day sculpted her in the likeness of the land she traversed — a leaner body, hands hardened, face etched by sun and wind.

Thirteen days out, Clara trudged through the ashen remains of a town, its name forgotten, its history lost. Empty buildings sagged under the weight of time, their hollow frames like gravestones against the evening sky. Vacant faces, like clock dials without hands, glanced through her, never at her.

Spying a run-down tavern, she cautiously stepped inside. The door whined on rusted hinges. She eased onto a splintered stool. “Bread,” she rasped. The innkeeper, a bloated man with eyes like rotted plums, flung stale crust onto the counter. Her teeth sank into the stale crust, her body weeping for nourishment.

The room stank of unwashed bodies and sour ale. In a dim corner, men gambled their souls on dice, their faces marred by desperation and greed. As she made to leave, talk stilled, and eyes tracked her. A rough hand seized her wrist.

“Far to go?” The words, a mockery.

Her eyes darted to the innkeeper, pleading for an ally. His gaze, cold, turned away. “Yes, far,” she replied, stalling.

Then, violence. Teeth, nails, a taste of blood. Outmanned, her screams died in cruel laughter. Her clothes yielded, torn in the contest of her humiliation.

After the degradation, she stepped outside and into the soft rain of the night. Her path now carried weight measured in more than miles.

Ahead, barren land stretched mercilessly. A fleeting image of her mother’s face offered a brief moment of comfort. She tilted her head back, letting rain droplets fall onto her tongue to dilute the bitterness that swelled within her. The night urged in tones only darkness knows. Turn back, it murmured.

But she walked on. Her will was a defiant ember, the last flicker of light in a world teetering on oblivion, its humanity long forfeited.

Part VI: Elric

After weeks traversing a harsh expanse, gaunt but unbroken, she found herself beneath the Whispering Pines. As she approached, she carried more than her own weight. She embodied her mother’s enduring hope and her land’s final prayer for redemption.

Elric greeted her at the doorway. “You’ve come,” he said, leading her inside, the room warm from the fire in the stone hearth.

Her eyes roved from the firelight dancing on the walls to the shelves laden with books. A staircase twisted upward, its banister engraved with ancient symbols.

“Your homeland withers,” Elric said, drawing from his pipe, the wood old and marked by years. The scent of herbs, a blend cultivated through many seasons, sharpened the mind as it filled the room. “The spell,” she confirmed.

“Mmm,” he exhaled, his eyes shifting to the fireplace, wood popping in the heat. “Your forebears knew better days. Days without sacrifice.”

“The legends spoke truth, then?”

“Indeed.”

“Did you know I was coming?”

“I’ve waited twenty years. This isn’t our first meeting.”

“We’ve met before?”

“Once, when you were but a newborn. Your mother and I collaborated. We worked on a potion that siphons the power of nature to protect the truth in our world, to shield it from alchemy and dark spells.”

Elric opened a small cabinet beside the hearth. From it, he took an empty wooden chalice and a stoppered glass vial. Uncorking the vial, he poured a golden liquid into the chalice, the firelight making it shimmer. “This elixir hails from untarnished lands, free from the alchemy that poisons your realm. One sip and illusions shatter, transforming soul and society alike.” “What is it called?” she asked.

He looked at her intently. “Elysium,” he said, the word hanging heavy in the room. “It’s both the end and the beginning of your journey. You must experience it to understand. Drink.”

She sipped the brew; it tasted of nothing. Soon, as she nestled by the fire, the walls took a breath, and the world sharpened as if coming into focus for the first time. The air thickened into a heavy mist, her fingers danced through it, each ripple sending colors splashing around like bioluminescent whispers. She floated, her body dissolving, her name a distant echo.

Elric’s gaze turned to the fire, shadows playing across his face. “Elysium shows only what one needs to see, no more, no less,” he said, his voice a gentle wave against the shores of her uncertainty. “In my own experience with Elysium, I saw a torchbearer in the veil of time, a young soul with the spark to undo the dark spell on your land.” His eyes found Clara’s. “But the torchbearer had to come to me, the journey forging the resolve. Had I sought you out sooner, before your heart was ready, Elysium’s truth would have been a burden too heavy.”

As the reality of his words sank in, Clara felt the weight of the years, the faces of the countless lives lost to the alchemist’s dark magic flashing before her eyes. “And the elixir… why not share it sooner?”

Elric sighed, his eyes drifting to the ancient books lining the shelves. “Elysium’s truth is a double-edged blade. In the wrong hands, it could cut through the fabric of reality, leaving wounds that might never heal. Your kingdom…” he gestured vaguely towards the window, “…it wasn’t ready. But now, the ground has been furrowed by suffering, ready to receive the truth about the universe, the spell, the suffering.”

The walls breathed with a rhythm older than time. She looked at her hands moving through the bioluminescent mist, each movement sending ripples across the room. Tendrils of light danced in the air, ethereal spirits beckoning her towards another realm.

“But why?” Clara pressed, her presence deepening with each breath. “Why involve yourself?”

Elric’s eyes softened. “I once lived in your kingdom, fleeing when I realized the spell’s plague. Your mother and I, we shared a vision of a world free from dark alchemy. But more than a promise to an old friend, it’s a battle against the grasp of evil spells, a grasp threatening to choke the essence of life and freedom from this world. It’s a battle,” he looked at Clara with a profound earnestness, “that now passes to you.”

Suddenly, reality shattered, and her soul twisted and warped through a portal faster and faster until she touched the core of the cosmos.

Here, in a land beyond words, beyond the confines of time and space, she witnessed the birth and demise of the universe. With each breath, a star was born and died; each blink saw the rise and fall of civilizations. Like a photon racing at light speed through the cosmos, untouched by time, she beheld the entirety of all that ever was and will be.

Peering beyond the infinitely small, she saw the source code of the universe, equations as living tendrils of light materializing into particles, planets, and stars. The universe, a symphony of mathematical elegance, its physicality a melody resonating along the strings of her consciousness.

She floated amidst the cosmic code, orchestrating the universe — the planets, the voids, the unseen forces weaving through them — and she was one with all. She was the universe gazing at itself. Beyond the veil of mortality, she saw endless realms, death a mere doorway. In that boundless expanse, she brushed against the face of the divine.

A golden phoenix took form before her.

“I am Veritas,” it spoke, not in words, but in a language of complex geometry.

It exposed the grim truths of her lands, the Great Famine, and the enslaving spell — a counterfeit prosperity bought at the terrible price of human years.

“How do we break free?” Clara’s voice carried the untold suffering of generations.

“Simple,” the phoenix intoned. “Don’t battle the alchemist or his spell; you won’t win. Acknowledge the illusion. Tend to your own gardens, and reliance on the alchemist and the king fades. Elysium shields you, body and mind, from the spell’s reach.”

As the vision faded, Clara found herself back on the wooden floor, her head cushioned by a pillow. The urgency of her quest snapped her back to reality, a newfound resolve kindling in her chest.

“I see now,” she breathed, her voice steady. “I know what I must do.”

Elric nodded, a sage with a deep understanding of the paths of the universe. “Yes, but first, tea. There’s strength to regain and you have a long journey ahead,” he said, anchoring them both in a moment of calm before the impending storm of change.

Part VII: The Wayfarer’s Hearth

After days navigating barren expanses, Clara entered a cobblestone town as twilight settled. Figures lined the street, some alive, some not, most in limbo — too tired to beg, too frail to feed. Candlelight flickered from the windows of a tavern, illuminating well-fed faces. “The Wayfarer’s Hearth,” read the sign above the door.

She approached. The door creaked open to admit her, wafting out stale beer and the scent of roast meat. Her fingers twitched involuntarily, memories of weeks ago crawling up her spine, but her body ached for sustenance, for warmth. Holding her satchel close, safeguarding the vial of Elysium, she chose a chair at an empty table and settled in. Soon enough, food appeared.

The man who had set her meal before her took the adjacent seat with deliberate ease, his eyes lingering on her satchel. Her pulse quickened.

“You carry a weight, wanderer,” he said.

“Or hope,” she countered, her grip on her satchel unyielding.

A glass shattered. Drunkards stumbled into their table, a wave of mead sweeping over worn wood. Clara’s heart surged, the man’s fingers brushed her satchel, pulling the vial from its sanctuary. “Hope carries its own burden,” he said.

“The hope of my people is in that vial,” she shot back, her voice stripped bare.

“This is Elysium,” he said, his words like barbs. “At what cost, wanderer, do you think Elysium will save your people?”

Doubt snaked around her convictions. Was she the bearer of emancipation or a harbinger of calamity? Was her land ready for Elysium? “You know it?” she asked.

“I know it,” he said, eyeing it closely.

“Return it,” she commanded.

He handed over the vial. “The road to freedom is paved with the stones of responsibility. I wouldn’t want to walk in your shoes.”

She nodded, heavy but resolute. Clara left as quietly as she’d come, meal untouched, mission intact.

The night took her in. She cast a final glance back at a room oblivious to her departure. That night, she’d sleep under indifferent stars, closer to home but adrift in certainty, carrying the weight of a thousand stones of untold responsibility, a Trojan’s shroud for her people, a destiny unasked.

Part VIII: This is Elysium

Under a storm-heavy sky, Clara returned home. In her pocket was Elysium; in her mind, a plan that required Harold — an old friend and a knight by trade.

In the guild hall, Harold sat among knights and minstrels, a goblet in hand. “Look at this,” Clara said, pushing the vial across the table without ceremony. Her words pierced the tavern’s noise as she recounted her journey.

Harold looked at her, then at the vial. “You mean to say that one day, this will help us fight the spell?”

“No,” said Clara, her voice deep with a new knowing. “It means one day, we won’t have to.”

“Heresy,” Harold said. “You’re risking death.”

“So are we all,” she answered.

“They’ll burn you at the stake.”

“If I’m right, they won’t.”

“A trial then, regardless,” Harold said, his gaze dropping to the vial as the tavern’s jovial banter became a distant echo for them both.

“So be it,” Clara said, meeting his gaze. She leaned in, her fingers resting on his scarred knuckles. “Our farms take our children. It’s not right.”

“It’s how things are.”

“It’s how things were.”

“A trial will not be lenient, Clara. I can’t let you bring this to the king.”

“Not the king. The people.” She continued. “But don’t trust me. See for yourself.” Her eyes locked onto his. “Drink,” she said, her words echoing Elric’s.

Harold hesitated but finally drank. His eyes widened. He gripped the edge of the wooden table, his knuckles turning white. A sort of vacant gaze overcame him as if he’d journeyed to someplace far.

When the Elysium vision receded, he opened his eyes and looked at her anew, seeing the world for the first time again. He glanced around the hall as though it were a foreign land, his eyes lingering on the mundane — a crack in the table, the smudged goblet, a flickering torch on the wall—with awe and wonder. She knew then that they stood as one. Two visionaries, shouldering the burden of transforming the world, ready to shepherd their people into a revolutionary dawn.

In the square, the stone eyes of old heroes watched. A crowd formed, silenced by expectation and unaccustomed to the art of public speaking. Autumn leaves swirled at their feet.

“A new dawn!” Harold broke the silence. “Generations sacrificed, giving years for meager sustenance. But the land wants not our years — only our care and periodic reverence. The tales of a time without the toll of hunger, without a tax on life itself, from before the Great Famine, are not myths. They are forgotten chapters of our history, now on the verge of being rewritten.”

He raised the vial. Sunlight mirrored in its gold. “This is Elysium.”

Part IX: A Revolution Takes Shape

In the fading light of day, Harold and Clara stood by a murmuring brook, leaves rustling at their feet in quiet revolt. Faces young and old assembled around them; each one a silent rebellion against the servitude that taxed their years.

They drank, the chalice passing from hand to hand, a new ritual born. With each gathering, the numbers swelled; with each sip, more souls entwined. Slowly, yet with unyielding certainty, the kingdom shifted over the years. It changed not through a coup or uprising but through a still, relentless force, like water eroding stone. As the seasons passed and more villagers imbibed the Elysian brew, the weight of their invisible chains lessened, their atoms scattering into the evening air.

Shielded now, villagers sowed their own gardens, sanctuaries from the alchemist’s dominion. Bountiful harvests followed, hope supplanted despair. Word of the blooming private gardens spread like wildflowers, and fields once cursed by dark alchemy lay fallow and forgotten.

And there, by the unassuming brook, a revolution took shape. The soft sounds of the stream became an earthbound anchor for the myriad souls who opened the door to walk in the cosmic gardens of their minds. Each ritual added another stitch in the fabric of a new dawn; each sip, another brushstroke on the canvas of a world remade.

Part X: The Old Man

A decade drifted by. With each soul that tasted Elysium, the fetters of the old world loosened. The alchemist’s spell, once a yoke around their necks, now waned like thick morning fog giving way to the warmth of the day. Fields once cursed now bore food, not dread. Families gathered around bountiful tables, words flowing freely, unveiled.

Each year, townsfolk met by the sword in the square. Harold’s blade, the first monument raised in ages, stood as freedom’s spine, the axis of their new world. An old man approached, his eyes dimmed by memories of famine, leading a boy by the hand. Their eyes met, a chasm bridged: one soul untarnished by hunger, the other haunted by its ghost.

The old man stepped forward, his fingers quivering on the hilt of the sword. “Clara, what becomes of us if the land fails us again?” Years of hardship wavered in his voice, the ghosts of famine flickering in his eyes.

“It could,” Clara said, her voice steady as bedrock. “But it’s different now. Our fields are wider, our hands more skilled. We’re not trying to trick the earth with alchemy anymore. We speak in the simple terms it understands: soil, sun, water, time.”

Above, the alchemist’s fortress loomed, its towers now marred with cracks. Clara looked up. Empty windows stared back, like dead eyes on a fallen beast. Old times had ended; new ones had begun.

Part XI: The Note

Dawn broke, casting new light over worn cobblestones. Clara moved through the marketplace as if through a dream. The scent of cinnamon and rich coffee filled the air as she ran her fingers down silken tassels and through powdery barrels of golden saffron. Voices haggled; her feet felt the earth’s warm embrace.

Traders argued leisurely, their time no longer taxed by the spell. Children laughed, unburdened by field and plow.

Fields that once caged both young and old now released thinkers, builders, creators. The horizon changed form — bridges leapt over waterways, roads bound the land. Each stone laid was more than a fixture; it was a vow, a pact between the present and the future. It was today’s promise to a future yet unborn, anchored by the prosperity that now bloomed under Elysium’s sky.

As evening descended, the grand hall filled with voices unburdened by yesterday’s sorrow. In a secluded corner, Clara and Harold exchanged words about the loftier truths Elysium had laid bare.

A courier emerged from the crowd, extending a sealed parchment. “For you, mademoiselle.”

With a nod, Clara exchanged a coin for the note. Her eyes brightened as she absorbed the message:

Only a true renaissance resounds to the Whispering Pines. Continue, in health and strength. - Elric

She passed it to Harold, their eyes locking in wordless affirmation. “The Whispering Pines acknowledge us,” he finally said. “And so, we continue,” Clara replied, her voice unwavering, guided by truth. In the hall’s enveloping warmth, laughter, toasts, and spirited debates blended into a harmonious score — a sound that would have been foreign to their ancestors, a sound that marked the close of an era and the dawn of something profoundly new.

---

This story first appeared in Tales from the Timechain. Support our work and buy a copyhere.

79% of the zaps from this story will be passed onto the author, Reed.

21 Futures requests 21% for operating costs.

---

Ioni Appelberg (pronounced Yo-Ni Apple-Burg) is a bitcoin philosopher, futurist, author, and content creator. His content centers around science fiction, human history and it often takes the form of swashbuckling journeys to the frontiers of technology, space, and the human mind. His love of sci-fi, psychedelics, and futurism may take his stories (and unsuspecting readers) to strange but exciting places. He is also an avid reader, a medical doctor, a freedom fighter, an MMA fighter, a psychonaut, and a terrible chess player.

@ 5627e59c:d484729e

Spontaniteit\ Creativiteit

Iets visueel of gewoon geluid\ Het moet eruit

Ik doe mezelf cadeau aan jou\ Omdat ik van het leven hou

@ c9badfea:610f861a

Before you post a message or article online, let the LLM check if you are leaking any personal information using this prompt:

Analyze the following text to identify any Personally Identifiable Information (PII): <Your Message>

Replace <Your Message> with your text

If no PII is found, continue by modifying your message to detach it from your personality. You can use any of the following prompts (and further modify it if necessary).

Prompt № 1 - Reddit-Style

Convert the message into a casual, Reddit-style post without losing meaning. Split the message into shorter statements with the same overall meaning. Here is the message: <Your Message>

Prompt № 2 - Advanced Modifications

``` Apply the following modifications to the message: - Rewrite it in lowercase - Use "u" instead of "you" - Use "akchoaly" instead of "actually" - Use "hav" instead of "have" - Use "tgat" instead of "that" - Use comma instead of period - Use British English grammar

Here is the message: ```

Prompt № 3 - Neutral Tone

Rewrite the message to correct grammar errors, and ensure the tone is neutral and free of emotional language: <Your Message>

Prompt № 4 - Cross Translation Technique

Translate the message into Chinese, then translate the resulting Chinese text back into English. Provide only the final English translation. Here is the message: <Your Message>

Check the modified message and send it.

ℹ️ You can use dialects to obfuscate your language further. For example, if you are from the US, you can tell the LLM to use British grammar and vice versa.

⚠️ Always verify the results. Don't fully trust an LLM.

@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3

You'd think I'd be most excited to talk about that awesome Pacers game, but, no. What I'm most excited about this week is that @grayruby wants to continue Beefing with Cowherd.

Still, I am excited to talk about Tyrese Haliburton becoming a legendary Knicks antagonist. Unfortunately, the Western Conference Finals are not as exciting. Also, why was the MVP announcement so dumb?

The T20k cricket contest is tightening up, as we head towards the finish. Can @Coinsreporter hold on to his vanishing lead?

@Carresan has launched Football Madness. Let's see if we understand whatever the hell this is any better than we did last week.

On this week's Blok'd Shots, we'll ridicule Canada for their disgraceful loss in the World Championships and talk about the very dominant American Florida Panthers, who are favorites to win the Stanley Cup.

Are the Colorado the worst team in MLB history?

The Tush Push has survived another season. Will the NFL eventually ban it or will teams adjust?

Plus, whatever else Stackers want to talk about.

https://stacker.news/items/987399

@ 866e0139:6a9334e5

Autor: Anna Nagel. (Bild: Lukas Karl). Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben. Sie finden alle Texte der Friedenstaube und weitere Texte zum Thema Frieden hier. Die neuesten Pareto-Artikel finden Sie auch in unserem Telegram-Kanal.

---

Die neuesten Artikel der Friedenstaube gibt es jetzt auch im eigenen Friedenstaube-Telegram-Kanal.

---

Teil 3 ist der letzte Teil des Essays. Hier geht es zu Teil 1 und Teil 2.

«Der große Jammer mit den Menschen ist, dass sie so genau wissen, was man ihnen schuldet, und so wenig Empfindungen dafür haben, was sie anderen schulden.»

– Franz von Sales

In den ersten beiden Teilen der Reihe «Mitgefühl und Vergebung» ging es darum, Wege zu finden, mit unserem Gegenüber, unserem «Widersacher» oder sogar der Menschheit an sich, weich zu werden, Verständnis zu finden, uns selbst vom Groll zu befreien und Frieden zu schließen. Doch wie ist das eigentlich andersherum?

Denn was bei all den Gedanken über das Verzeihen und Mitfühlen nicht fehlen darf, ist, sich selbst zu vergeben und auch, sich selbst zu entschuldigen. Häufig wissen wir zwar schnell, auf wen wir noch wütend sind, welchen Schmerz wir noch nicht loslassen konnten, – obwohl natürlich auch einige Wunden tiefer verschüttet sind – gleichwohl kann es noch etwas undurchsichtiger werden, wenn wir uns selbst einmal ehrlich fragen, wen wir verletzt haben, wem wir etwas schuldig geblieben sind. Denn das ist die Kehrseite der Medaille: Ich glaube, dass niemand von uns komplett ohne Schuld ist.

Zwar ist es einfacher, im Außen Verantwortliche für alles Mögliche zu finden, wie zum Beispiel das Unrecht in der Welt oder unsere eigenen verletzten Gefühle, da es häufig auch offensichtlicher ist, es lenkt uns aber auch gerne von den eigenen Schattenanteilen ab. Häufig werden wir sogar leider erst mit unseren eigenen Schuldgefühlen konfrontiert, wenn es zu spät ist; beispielsweise wenn es um Trennungen geht – oder wenn jemand Geliebtes stirbt. Erst dann zeigen sich bei den meisten Momente und Gefühle des Bereuens, des Bedauerns, des Wieder-gut-machen-Wollens.

Sehr viele Menschen, die eine Nahtoderfahrung erlebt haben, berichten, dass, als ihnen ihr eigenes Leben im Panoramablick gezeigt wurde, sie alle Situationen aus Sicht der Menschen fühlten, mit denen sie interagiert hatten. Also dass sie spätestens da merkten, in welchen Situationen ihre Worte und ihr Verhalten andere verletzten.

Andererseits gibt es auch Menschen, die von Schuldgefühlen förmlich zerfressen werden. Sie nagen an ihnen und ihrem Gewissen und manche werten sich selbst zutiefst ab, bis hin zum Selbsthass. Hier stellt sich die Frage, wie wir uns selbst helfen können, uns selbst ent-schuldigen können. Oder kann das nur derjenige, demgegenüber wir Schuld empfinden?

---

DIE FRIEDENSTAUBE FLIEGT AUCH IN IHR POSTFACH!

Hier können Sie die Friedenstaube abonnieren und bekommen die Artikel zugesandt, vorerst für alle kostenfrei, wir starten gänzlich ohne Paywall. (Die Bezahlabos fangen erst zu laufen an, wenn ein Monetarisierungskonzept für die Inhalte steht). Sie wollen der Genossenschaft beitreten oder uns unterstützen? Mehr Infos hier oder am Ende des Textes.

---

Es tut mir leid

\ Wo wir können, sollten wir uns selbstverständlich entschuldigen und um Vergebung bitten. Nicht nur für uns selbst, sondern auch für den anderen. Wer das schon einmal ehrlich getan hat, weiß, wie schwer das sein kann und wem wiederum schon einmal eine wirklich ernstgemeinte Entschuldigung entgegen gebracht wurde, weiß, wie heilsam und tief berührend sie sein kann.

Viel zu häufig werden Entschuldigungen nämlich nicht ganz so ernst gemeint; wir werfen mit Wortschnipseln um uns, ein kurzes «Sorry» nuscheln wir in den Hemdkragen, drehen uns vielleicht noch dabei weg oder nutzen sie als Floskel, weil es sich «so gehört». Ebenso alltäglich finden wir das berühmte: «Tut mir ja leid, aaaber…» plus Rechtfertigung und möglicherweise sogar Gegenvorwürfen.

Das meine ich nicht, ich meine das ehrliche Entschuldigen. Das reine Schuldeingeständnis, die hundertprozentige Verantwortungsübernahme für das eigene Verhalten – wie oft erlebst du diese? Von anderen sowie von dir selbst. Es gehört nämlich schon eine ganze Portion Mut und innere Größe dazu, sich seiner Fehltritte bewusst zu sein, diese zuzugeben – und zwar vor sich selbst und zudem vor demjenigen, dem man auf den Fuß getreten ist –, ihm tief in die Augen zu schauen und zu sagen: «Es tut mir leid.» Ohne Erwartung, ohne Rechtfertigung. Im tiefen Einverständnis mit allen Konsequenzen.

Es braucht deshalb so viel Mut, weil es schmerzhaft und beängstigend sein kann. Weil wir uns dem anderen hingeben und unsere «Waffen» niederlegen. Es kann sein, dass die andere Person die Entschuldigung nicht annimmt, oder unser Eingeständnis sogar gegen uns verwendet, aber Größe zu haben, bedeutet auch, dies zu akzeptieren und sich dem ungewissen Ausgang zu stellen, die Machtkämpfe sein zu lassen und dem anderen das Zepter in die Hand zu geben.

Eine ehrliche Entschuldigung kommt von Herzen, nämlich, wenn wir gespürt haben, was wir dem anderen angetan oder zugemutet haben. Sie braucht wahres Mitfühlen und Erkennen sowie die Bereitschaft, das eigene Ego beiseite zu schieben. Dies kann zu Frieden führen – je nachdem, was jeder der Beteiligten für sich daraus macht und was vorgefallen war selbstverständlich –, aber derjenige, der sich entwaffnet, wird das Schlachtfeld auch verlassen und sich sich selbst und seinem Verhalten widmen, um in Zukunft von vornherein mitfühlender und achtsamer sein zu können.

Denn wenn ich lerne, mein Gegenüber zu spüren und mit ihm in Verbindung zu gehen, spüre ich am eigenen Leib die Verletzungen und wenn ich bereit bin, die Verantwortung zu übernehmen, gelange ich zu dem Gefühl des Bedauerns, beispielsweise, wenn ich die Konsequenz einer Trennung, tragen muss. Dadurch entsteht in mir ein intrinsisches Bedürfnis, in Zukunft liebevoller und achtsamer mit meinen Mitmenschen umzugehen.

„Es scheint wirklich den Menschen nur eine Hoffnung zu geben: Zwar nicht die Welt und die anderen, aber wenigstens sich selbst einigermaßen ändern und bessern zu können; und auf denen, die das tun, beruht im geheimen das Heil der Welt.“

―Hermann Hesse

Eine wahre Entschuldigung impliziert also die empathische Verbindung mit dem anderen und führt somit zu Selbsterkenntnis, wodurch in der Regel eine persönliche Aufarbeitung und Veränderung des eigenen Verhaltens folgt, während Vorwürfe nach außen hin üblicherweise darauf abzielen, den oder die anderen ändern zu wollen.

Sich selbst vergeben

Was aber passiert, wenn der andere uns nicht vergeben möchte, oder wir denjenigen, demgegenüber wir uns schuldig fühlen nicht erreichen können oder auch, wenn wir nicht einmal wissen, weswegen oder ob, wir uns schuldig fühlen, weil die Gefühle oder Erinnerungen zu weit im Unterbewusstsein vergraben wurden? 

In einer sehr fragilen Phase während meines Heilungsprozesses wandte ich mich an «Gott», an das Universum, und fragte verzweifelt: «Vergibst du mir?», und die Antwort war: «Vergibst du dir denn selbst?».

Was für eine Antwort. Was für eine Frage ja viel mehr - und doch auch gleichzeitig so viel Antwort. Warum braucht es einen anderen, um mir meine Schuldgefühle zu nehmen und vor allem, wie kann das gehen? Es sind meine Gefühle, mein Körper, meine Seele, mein Gewissen und wenn ein Anteil in mir sich plagt, ist es vielleicht doch einzig auch meine Aufgabe, ihn zu heilen und zu befreien? Aber kann ich das? Habe ich denn diese Macht? Darf ich das? Oder muss ich es vielleicht sogar? Was wäre, wenn das Universum «Ja» gesagt hätte? Hätte es vielleicht gar nichts an meinen Gefühlen geändert, weil das, was ich selbst glaube und das, was ich selbst von mir halte, vielleicht schwerer wiegt, als das, was ein anderer sagt? Hätte ich ihm überhaupt geglaubt? Letztlich war es ja «nur» meine eigene innere Stimme, die ich vernahm. 

Aber ja, ich erkannte, dass, wenn ich die Macht habe, mich zu verurteilen und zu strafen, wohl auch nur ich die Macht habe, gnädig und versöhnlich mit mir zu sein. Und so machte ich mich auf den Weg, herauszufinden, wie ich selbst meine Schuldgefühle auflösen konnte und werde versuchen, im Folgenden die Essenzen daraus zu vermitteln, in der Hoffnung, dass vielleicht jemand etwas daraus für sich mitnehmen kann.

Mir ging es fast mein Leben lang so, dass mir bei jeder kleinsten Kleinigkeit Adrenalin samt Wut auf mich selbst durch den Körper schossen. Nahezu permanent war mein innerer Kritiker parat, mich innerlich niederzumachen für: Einfach alles. 

Eines Tages saß ich mit mir da und forschte nach den Ursachen. Ich fragte mich, woher all dieser Selbsthass kam und ich dachte, dass es doch eigentlich nur Sinn ergibt, sich selbst so sehr zu verabscheuen, wenn man der absolut böseste Mensch der Welt sei. Wie viel Schuld und Missetaten müsste ein anderer begehen, um ihm gegenüber auch nur annähernd so unversöhnlich zu sein, wie mir selbst gegenüber? Und mir wurde klar, dass es unter der Wut auf mich selbst unter anderem um Schuld ging.

Ich wusste nicht recht, womit ich mich so unsagbar schuldig gemacht hatte, aber eine vorsichtige Stimme in mir schlug vor, dass ich es doch eventuell im Laufe all der Jahre abgebüßt haben könnte, dass ich mich doch genug gegeißelt haben könnte, – oder? Eigentlich empfand ich sogar ein kleines bisschen Mitgefühl mit mir selbst, mit meinem inneren Kind, meiner kleinen Anna. Was habe ich ihr, was habe ich mir eigentlich damit angetan? Das tat mir dann schon irgendwie leid. Und ich bat sie – und mich – um Verzeihung.

Intuitiv sprach ich die Worte: «Es tut mir leid!» mehrfach hintereinander laut aus, und mit jedem Mal tat es zunächst mehr weh. Erstaunlicherweise zeigten sich mit der Zeit von ganz allein innere Bilder und Situationen aus der Vergangenheit, die mir leid taten – sowohl mich selbst betreffend, als auch andere Situationen und Personen –, was zu Mitgefühl, Bedauern und auch Scham- und Schuldgefühlen führte. Wieder einige Zeit später verschwanden nach und nach die belastenden Emotionen und Bilder und ich wiederholte meine Worte so lange, bis es nicht mehr weh tat.

Daraufhin sprach ich laut aus: «Es ist ok, ich verzeihe dir», und auch das so oft, bis keine Bilder mehr kamen und bis es nicht mehr weh tat.

Diese Perspektivwechsel, also sowohl der Empfänger als auch der Sender zu sein, lernte ich zuvor in einer anderen Situation, die ich in diesem Video näher beschreibe.

Als nächstes sagte ich laut: «Mir wird vergeben», ebenfalls mehrmals und bis alle Tränen des Unglaubens, der Dankbarkeit und Erleichterung, getrocknet waren, und ich etwas Sonderbares empfand: es war warm und weich in mir, irgendwie entspannt. Ich fühlte mich wohl. Und mit einem kurzen Schreck identifizierte ich dieses Gefühl als (Selbst-)Liebe. Huch! Ich !? Ja, das war ich. Da war also dieser Frieden, diese Liebe in mir, für mich. Und auch für die Welt und die Menschheit, bei der ich mich ebenfalls entschuldigte – und ihnen verzieh, weil zumindest ein Anteil in mir schon immer damit haderte, Mensch zu sein. Aber seit dem Tag freunde ich mich zunehmend damit an und ich entdecke immer schönere Seiten am Leben –  und auch an mir selbst.

Es macht einen unbeschreiblichen Unterschied, wie sich die Welt im eigenen Körper anfühlt und wie ich sie durch meine eigenen Augen sehe – je nachdem, wie meine Einstellung zu ihr und vor allem auch zu mir selbst ist. 

Gibt es Schuld denn überhaupt? 

Einige Leute sagen, Schuld gibt es überhaupt nicht. Und auch, wenn ich hier so ausführlich darüber schreibe, denke ich das ebenfalls. Wie passt das zusammen und wie kann diese Perspektive helfen? 

Genauer gesagt, ist meine Antwort auf die Schuldfrage: Ja und Nein. Denn auf der einen Seite gibt es Schuld definitiv, in diesem Gefühl kenne ich mich ja sehr gut aus und auch unser Rechtssystem arbeitet mit Schuld. Andererseits, wenn ich mir die Natur ansehe – und die Menschheit und ihre Gedankenkonstrukte, Vereinbarungen und Gefühle ausblende –, komme ich persönlich zu dem Ergebnis, dass es keine natürliche Schuld gibt. Sondern, dass Schuld ein menschliches Konzept ist und außerhalb dessen, das heißt, wie gesagt in der Natur, aber möglicherweise auch auf Seelenebene oder erst recht einem bedingungslos liebenden «Gott» oder Universum gegenüber, irrelevant wird. 

Diese Grundlage ist bedeutend für die folgende Situation, denn der eine Teil des Heilungsprozesses besteht darin, die alten Gefühle zu durchfühlen, um sie loszulassen, der andere beschäftigt sich mit den dahinterstehenden Glaubenssätzen.

Eingangs erwähnte ich die Situation, dass einem im Trauerprozess um eine geliebte Person Schuldgefühle begegnen können – so auch mir. Die Gefühle und Gedanken dazu waren derart quälend, dass es sich höchstwahrscheinlich nur jemand ausmalen kann, der bereits ähnliches durchleben musste. Denn das Gefühl, Schuld am Tod der geliebten Person zu sein, zerreißt einen innerlich in Stücke. Und obwohl ich mir auf anderer Ebene bewusst war, dass ich in Wirklichkeit natürlich nicht Schuld daran war, da ich ja keinen Mord begangen und auch nicht seine Krankheit verursacht habe, kamen mir immer wieder Bilder vor Augen, die mir Momente zeigten, in denen ich vielleicht doch noch etwas mehr oder weniger hätte sagen oder tun können, um den Krankheitsverlauf möglicherweise doch noch irgendwie zu beeinflussen. 

Auch mein Glaube daran, dass eine Seele geht, wenn sie bereit dafür ist und nur sie selbst weiß, wann ihre Zeit gekommen ist und warum, konnte mir die Bilder und Gefühle nicht nehmen. Es fühlte sich an, als wäre etwas Zerstörerisches in mir, das an mir zerrte, das mich von innen her auffraß und möglicherweise kein Teil meiner selbst zu sein schien, bis ich mich eines Tages schluchzend vor den Spiegel stellte, mich zwang, mir in die Augen zu sehen und laut zu mir zu sagen: «Ich glaube nicht an Schuld! Schuld ist ein Konzept der Menschen. In der Natur gibt es keine Schuld. Ich glaube nicht an Schuld. Schuld ist ein Konzept der Menschen, …» und so weiter.

Es kostete wahnsinnig viel Kraft, diese Sätze auszusprechen, weil die Energie der Schuld, in der mein Körper feststeckte, genau gegenteilig schwang und der größte Teil in mir in dem Moment davon eingenommen war. Ich musste also enorme Kraft aufbringen, diese Worte auszusprechen, um diesen kleinen Funken der Liebe in mir durchzusetzen und es war, als würde ich gegen einen Orkan angehen. Aber auch hier wurde mit jeder Wiederholung der Schmerz der Schuld und des Widerspruches zwischen diesen beiden Anteilen zunächst erträglicher und dann immer weniger, bis ich irgendwann ruhig dort stehen und die Sätze aussprechen konnte. 

Dies ist sicherlich eine besondere Situation in Bezug auf «Mitgefühl und Vergebung». Vielleicht findet sich aber dennoch jemand in dieser oder einer ähnlichen Situation wieder, in der die alten Glaubenssätze im Gegensatz zur Entwicklung im Heilungsprozess stehen oder jemand ist sogar ähnlich strukturiert – und daher anfällig für Schuldgefühle – wie ich. Daher entschied ich mich dafür, den Absatz doch noch mit aufzunehmen.

Lieben heißt Lernen – Fazit

«Das Leben eines jeden Menschen ist ein Weg zum eigenen Ich, der Versuch eines Weges, der Entwurf eines Weges.» – Hermann Hesse

In gleicher Weise, wie ich lerne, mich zu fühlen und mir selbst zu vergeben, erfahre ich, dass ich auch aufhöre, andere für meine Gefühle verantwortlich zu machen und, dass es mir auch automatisch sehr viel leichter fällt, mich in andere hineinzuversetzen, ihnen versöhnlich zu begegnen und ihnen ihr Leben, ihr Verhalten und ihre Lernaufgaben zuzugestehen.

Interessanterweise entdeckte ich auch, dass, in den meisten Fällen, in denen sich noch Ärger auf andere Personen offenbarte, ich, bei näherem Hinsehen, eigentlich mir selbst noch nicht vergeben hatte. Wenn Gedanken kamen, wie: «Wie konntest du dich mir gegenüber so ungerecht und respektlos verhalten? Wie konntest du mich so verletzen?», sah ich, dass ich diejenige war, die sich so hat behandeln lassen. Dass ich diejenige war, die mich nicht beschützt hat, die mich verletzt und im Stich gelassen hat.

Es ist ein tiefer, innerer Prozess, sich kennen- und verstehen zu lernen. Sich selbst zu vergeben, bedeutet auf der einen Seite, sich Vergangenes zu vergegenwärtigen, mitfühlend auf unser jüngeres Ich zu schauen und zu verstehen, dass wir, aus unserem damaligen Wissen und Verständnis heraus, so gut gehandelt haben, wie wir konnten. Im Nachhinein wissen wir oft mehr und wir bereuen und ärgern uns, doch in dem Zauber dieses Prozesses erkennen wir, dass wir stetig dazulernen und wachsen und in der Vergangenheit noch nicht sehen konnten, was wir jetzt sehen. Im Hier und Jetzt haben wir die Möglichkeit, uns neu zu entscheiden, immer wieder.

Zudem geht der Weg zum inneren Frieden darüber hinaus, als «nur» mit vergangenen Situationen und Versionen von uns Frieden zu schließen; er bedeutet in jedem Moment, mit dem, was sich in uns zeigt, mit allen Gedanken und Gefühlen, versöhnlich und liebevoll umzugehen, weich mit ihnen – mit uns selbst – zu werden und Mitgefühl auch in die verschleiertsten und ungeliebtesten Bereiche unseres Selbst zu bringen.

Im ersten Teil von «Mitgefühl und Vergebung» zitierte ich C.G Jung, der fragte: «Was aber, wenn ich nun entdecken sollte, daß der armselige Bettler und der unverschämteste Beleidiger alle in mir selber sind und ich bedürftig bin, Empfänger meiner eigenen Wohltaten zu sein? Daß ich der Feind bin, den ich lieben muß - was dann?». Und ich glaube, eine Antwort darauf könnte sein, dass wir uns genau dann auf dem Weg heimwärts befinden. Dass wir, wenn wir uns unseren eigenen Anteilen stellen und lernen, die Perspektiven zu wechseln, erkennen, dass wir einander mehr ähneln, als wir glaubten.

Auf dem Weg zu sein, bedeutet auch, dass wir weiterhin «Fehler» machen werden, die uns dann unser zukünftiges Ich liebevoll vergeben wird.

«Die Welt selbst aber, das Seiende um uns her und in uns innen, ist nie einseitig. Nie ist ein Mensch, oder eine Tat, ganz Sansara oder ganz Nirvana, nie ist ein Mensch ganz heilig oder ganz sündig. Es scheint ja so, weil wir der Täuschung unterworfen sind, dass Zeit etwas Wirkliches sei. Zeit ist nicht wirklich, Govinda, ich habe dies oft und oft erfahren. Und wenn Zeit nicht wirklich ist, so ist die Spanne, die zwischen Welt und Ewigkeit, zwischen Leid und Seligkeit, zwischen Böse und Gut zu liegen scheint, auch eine Täuschung.

…Nein, in dem Sünder ist, ist jetzt und heute schon der künftige Buddha, seine Zukunft ist alle schon da, du hast in ihm, in dir, in jedem den werdenden, den möglichen, den verborgenen Buddha zu verehren. Die Welt, Freund Govinda, ist nicht unvollkommen, oder auf einem langsamen Wege zur Vollkommenheit begriffen: nein, sie ist in jedem Augenblick vollkommen, alle Sünde trägt schon die Gnade in sich, alle kleinen Kinder haben schon den Greis in sich, alle Säuglinge den Tod, alle Sterbenden das ewige Leben.

…Mögen die Dinge Schein sein oder nicht, auch ich bin alsdann ja Schein, und so sind sie stets meinesgleichen.  Das ist es, was sie mir so lieb und verehrenswert macht: sie sind meinesgleichen. Darum kann ich sie lieben. Und dies ist nun eine Lehre, über welche du lachen wirst: die Liebe, o Govinda, scheint mir von allem die Hauptsache zu sein.

Die Welt zu durchschauen, sie zu erklären, sie zu verachten, mag großer Denker Sache sein. Mir aber liegt einzig daran, die Welt lieben zu können, sie nicht zu verachten, sie und mich nicht zu hassen, sie und mich und alle Wesen mit Liebe und Bewunderung und Ehrfurcht betrachten zu können.»

– Hermann Hesse, Siddartha*

---

LASSEN SIE DER FRIEDENSTAUBE FLÜGEL WACHSEN!

Die Genossenschaft ist bereits mitten im Gründungsprozess, in Kürze folgt eine Mail an alle Genossenschafter, danke für die Geduld!

Hier können Sie die Friedenstaube abonnieren und bekommen die Artikel zugesandt.

Schon jetzt können Sie uns unterstützen:

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

Für Einzahlungen in CHF (Betreff: Friedenstaube):

Für Einzahlungen in Euro:

Milosz Matuschek

IBAN DE 53710520500000814137

BYLADEM1TST

Sparkasse Traunstein-Trostberg

Betreff: Friedenstaube

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

---

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

@ 8d34bd24:414be32b

It 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

@ 5627e59c:d484729e

Liefde\ De samenkomst\ Van zien en zijn

Leven\ Het zijn en zien\ Een vorm gekregen

Sterven\ Een deur\ Die vrijheid geeft van vorm

En eeuwig leven\ Aan liefde

@ 5627e59c:d484729e

Veroorzaakt door de wereld rond mij\ Vormen de wereld in mij

Verwaarloosd door de wereld rond mij\ Overgelaten aan mij

Een groene brug komt uit mij\ Verbindt mij met wij\ En laat ons samen vrij

@ 8814ec9e:32454dd9

As the story goes, when Ben Franklin was leaving the Constitutional Convention in 1787, he was approached by a woman who asked him what form of government he and the other delegates to the convention had created. His response was, "A republic, madam, if you can keep it."

His words not only correct those who would mistakenly call the United States a democracy, but they press home the responsibility of every citizen to safeguard this constitutional republic from being taken over by tyrants who would pervert it to their own benefit.

Behind the text of this design is a distressed and tattered version of the original "Betsy Ross" flag of the thirteen colonies, representing just how tattered the original ideal of our republic has become. We have not done the best job of heeding Franklin's admonition to "keep it."

To order one for yourself, go to: It's a Republic T-Shirt on Shopstr

---

Product Details

• Most colors are 100% cotton

• Heather colors are 50/50 cotton and polyester.

• Unisex sizing available in S-4XL

• Fabric weight: 5.0–5.3 oz/yd² (170–180 g/m²)

• Pre-shrunk jersey knit

• Tubular construction

• Taped neck and shoulders

• Double seam at sleeves and bottom hem

• Tear-away tag