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Ghost of Truth
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Seek wisdom, embrace freedom, secure Your future with #Bitcoin - be #ungovernable. #History #Philosophy #Economy
Replying to Avatar Dr. M

Last year, 4.6 billion packages entered the European Union, in which the value of the purchased goods did not exceed 150 euros, which means that 12 million such parcels enter every day. We can draw key information from this:

- The European Commission (EC) believes that it is not taking enough money from its citizens, so it will also start taxing small parcels, those under the value of 150 euros that it has not previously taxed with customs

- Chinese online shopping services are being targeted in particular

- The EC justifies this move with environmental protection 🤔

- In addition to customs duties, the EC will also charge a special fee for the customs officer who will have to process all these parcels

- The EC calls on member states to adopt the proposed legal reform as soon as possible so that it can extract money from their citizens sooner.

Journalists present this as some kind of salvation because they believe that it is very bad that people buy cheaper things when they could buy more expensive ones. They call it a harmful practice that the European Commission will finally prevent.

It is interesting how journalists like to criticize Trump for allegedly provoking trade wars with tariffs, while at the same time supporting protectionism and tariffs of the European Union. The Trump administration has temporarily suspended tariffs on packages from China due to the inability to collect taxes on the millions of packages that arrive in the US every day. This "temporary" measure will probably become permanent. However, the EU is terribly persistent and there are no practical obstacles for European bureaucrats when it comes to taxing its citizens.

Such policies are always presented as a fight against those evil foreign companies, in this case China's Temu, but in reality they are aimed solely at extracting money from Europeans, impoverishing Europeans through trade and labor restrictions, and expanding bureaucracy.

#EU #EC #bureaucracy #Trump #China #Temu #taxation #tariffs #media #bureaucrats

I'd say seeing how the trump team is destroying the leftist propaganda machine, the credit machine of this neo Marxism, the guy is relatively intelligent, unlike what you can gather from the propaganda press here in Europe. #USA #trump #doge #nostr #grownostr

GM,

welcome to the hungover depri-sunday...

#gm #nostr

"The time will come when diligent research over long periods will bring to light things which now lie hidden."

(Seneca)

This time is now!

#usaid #doge #usa #trump #elon #nostr

Cowardice, stupidity, laziness - are these just genetic defects? Do they ultimately fulfill an evolutionary, selective purpose for the forward drift of humanity? By disgusting the healthy and strong, they repel them and charge them with energy. Is this the secret of our genesis? The ugly one?

The ugly prevails, no question. It exerts its dominance by ceaselessly trying to obscure the beautiful and the aesthetic. The human condition is Manichean - for most people it blurs into shades of gray.

#philosophy #nostr #grownostr #plebchain

An important experience, also for me personally, from over six years of Bitcoin: people, myself included, are unteachable. We only learn through pain. Or as the ancient chorus of Aeschylus sang: 'Act, suffer, learn!

And so this time too, the shitcoin casino will swallow up thousands of existences like a black hole. The blame for this will later be attributed to Bitcoin, the freedom technology. Like always, out of sheer resentment and envy of those who have been warning about it all along.

#Bitcoin #shitcoins #usd #euro #nostr #grownostr #plebchain #stablecoins

The World's Oldest Beer Recipe: A Journey Through Time

Beer, the beverage that has been a cornerstone of human culture for millennia, has a surprisingly ancient origin story. The oldest known beer recipe we have today dates back to the Sumerians of ancient Mesopotamia, around 1800 B.C. This fascinating piece of history is not just a recipe; it's a cultural artifact that gives us insight into the lives and rituals of one of the world's earliest civilizations.

The Sumerian Hymn to Ninkasi

The recipe is embedded within a hymn dedicated to Ninkasi, the Sumerian goddess of beer. This hymn, known as the "Hymn to Ninkasi," is more than just an ode to the deity; it's a detailed guide on brewing beer from barley. The Sumerians revered Ninkasi, attributing the gift of beer to her divine influence. This hymn was discovered on clay tablets, showcasing the ancient practice of brewing as both an art and a sacred ritual.

Ingredients and Method

The Sumerian beer was made from bappir, a type of twice-baked barley bread, which was crucial for fermentation. The process involved:

- Soaking the barley bread in water to release the sugars.

- Fermenting this mixture with yeast, which would have been naturally occurring in the environment or perhaps from previous batches of beer.

- Flavoring with honey and aromatic herbs, which added sweetness and complexity to the drink.

The beer was not the clear, carbonated beverage we know today. Instead, it was more like a thick, porridge-like concoction, often consumed through straws to filter out the grains and other solids.

Cultural Significance

In Sumerian society, beer was not merely a drink but a vital part of daily life and religious practice. It was used as payment for laborers, offered in religious ceremonies, and was even seen as a gift from the gods. The presence of beer in such contexts underscores its role in fostering community and celebrating life's milestones.

Legacy and Modern Recreation

The enduring legacy of this ancient beer recipe is evident today. Modern brewers, notably Fritz Maytag from the Anchor Brewing Company, have recreated this Sumerian brew based on the hymn's instructions. The result is a beer with a dry, hard cider-like taste, less bitter than many modern beers, with an alcohol content around 3.5%.

Global Influence

While the Sumerian recipe is the oldest known written one, evidence of beer brewing exists even earlier in other parts of the world. For instance, chemical residues on pottery from China suggest brewing practices around 7000 B.C. However, the detailed documentation by the Sumerians provides the most comprehensive early record we have.

The journey of beer from ancient Sumeria to the modern world showcases not only the evolution of human taste and technology but also the universal appeal of this ancient beverage. Beer has been a thread connecting civilizations through time, from the sacred rituals of the Sumerians to the craft beer renaissance we enjoy today. This oldest known recipe reminds us that the joy of brewing and sharing beer is timeless, echoing through the ages as a testament to human ingenuity and social bonds.

#history #beer #sumer #culture #nostr #grownostr #plebchain #nostrhistory

... and we are experiencing a biblical deluge of laws and regulations.

#usa #eu #socialism #nostr #doge #grownostr

... and #Bitcoin breeds free souls! #nostr #freedom

Brutalism in Architecture: Origins, Significance, and Psychodynamic Influence on Public Space

Architecture is always an expression of psychodynamic processes and the aesthetic perception of its time. The aesthetic question is context-bound, it is always emotionally charged and creates tensions between public space and individuals. It is a flowing, culturally related stream that is too often shaken by central power figures such as state institutions, which articulate their power here and materialize it in terms of form. What we perceive as beautiful today, we call classical. If we can, we regularly travel to the Mediterranean region of Europe to reassure ourselves of the aesthetic heights of ancient culture and the Renaissance, which took up this common thread of design. Today, too, we are experiencing a creeping return to classical symbols and forms, breaking out of a design and formal language that we call 'brutalism'.

Origins of Brutalism

Brutalism, derived from the French term "béton brut" which means "raw concrete," emerged as an architectural movement in the mid-20th century. Its inception can be traced back to post-World War II Europe, particularly in Britain, where architects like Alison and Peter Smithson began to embrace the raw, unadorned qualities of concrete. This style was a response to the need for rapid, cost-effective reconstruction after the devastation of the war. Brutalism was not just about the materials used but also about the philosophy behind it - emphasizing function over form, honesty in materials, and a departure from the ornamentation of previous styles.

Significance of Brutalism

The significance of Brutalism lies in its bold statement against the decorative and often perceived superficiality of earlier architectural styles. Brutalist buildings are characterized by their monumental scale, rugged surfaces, and stark geometric forms. This architecture was meant to be egalitarian, providing public and utilitarian spaces that serve the community rather than aesthetic indulgence.

Brutalism also became symbolic of progressive, often socialist, ideals where architecture was seen as a tool for social reform. Buildings like the Barbican Estate in London or the Unité d'Habitation by Le Corbusier in Marseille are not just structures but statements of social and political ideologies. However, this same starkness often led to public debate over the aesthetic and humanistic values of such structures.

The openly displayed ugliness of this architecture, its facelessness and lack of character, testify to the claim to power of socialist regimes and have a fatal, demobilizing aesthetic effect on the individual.

Psychodynamic Influence on Public Space

Brutalism's impact on public space is profound and multi-layered, touching upon the psychodynamic interactions between space, individual, and society:

1. Power and Authority: Brutalist buildings, with their imposing presence, often convey a sense of power and authority. This can be seen in governmental buildings or universities where the architecture's scale and massiveness can either intimidate or inspire, depending on one's perspective. The psychological impact here is one of awe or submission, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with authority.

2. Human Scale: A critique often leveled at Brutalist structures is their lack of human scale, which can make individuals feel dwarfed or alienated. This can lead to a sense of disconnection from the environment, influencing social interactions negatively by creating spaces that feel unwelcoming or oppressive.

Public Interaction: However, some Brutalist designs have aimed to integrate public life more dynamically. Features like open plazas or the use of space to encourage movement and interaction can foster a different kind of community engagement. The raw, exposed structure of Brutalism can also encourage transparency and openness, symbolizing a break from the past where buildings were more like fortresses.

3. Aesthetic and Emotional Response: The aesthetic of Brutalism evokes varied emotional responses. While some find the honesty of materials and the sculptural quality of concrete beautiful, the vast majority of people see it as cold, harsh, or even ugly. This emotional dichotomy affects how public spaces are used and perceived, potentially shaping public behavior and community identity.

Brutalism, with its uncompromising approach to material and form, continues to be a polarizing style in architecture. Its legacy in public spaces is one where power dynamics are visibly and palpably expressed through concrete and design. Whether one views these structures as oppressive or liberating, they undeniably influence the psychodynamic relationship between individuals, their community, and the spaces they inhabit. As cities evolve, the debate over Brutalism's place in our urban landscapes reflects broader discussions on architecture's role in society, utility versus beauty, and public versus private power.

This debate will gather momentum as classical architectural elements increasingly penetrate the public space and contrast the cold ugliness of brutalism.

https://youtu.be/TWHlSHwomkg?si=M9NspCqDa7XNcTyM

#brutalism #architecture #modernism #culture #nostr #grownostr #plebchain

Ukraine: Peace Negotiations On The Horizon?

The signals are clear that we are on the verge of the start of peace negotiations between Russia and the United States on Ukraine. We should keep a close eye on what role, if any, the Europeans play in this. They have put themselves in an economic stalemate and in a geopolitical hopeless situation by massively arming and financing Ukraine in order to force an escalation of the conflict and thus the entry of the USA into a hot war with Russia.

My assessment is that the game will now continue without them. They are extras in an increasingly complex web of interest groups. Their attempt to use the climate narrative to set global standards for the energy sector and production methods, to paint over their own energy poverty, has definitely failed. Europe will have to integrate itself and swallow some heavy toads.

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/02/06/us-ukraine-and-russia-soften-positions-ahead-of-mooted-ceasefire-talks-a87883

#ukraine #russia #usa #trump #nostr #plebchain #climatescam #wef #brics

An overview of how the #US congress can kill the #climatescam right now. The great turning point is at hand, the return to sanity seems near if they tackle it consistently now. Then the #WEF climate narrative dies a final death. #doge #trump #nostr

GM,

all signs point to a massive campaign by USS stablecoins. The aim is to sell US government debt to retailers and thus keep the yield curve under control during the fiscal transformation phase. The Federal Reserve is probably also on board now, with FED's Waller saying: 'a stablecoin is like a synthetic dollar; if it makes payments faster or cheaper, I'm all for it'. The dollar is nowhere near as dead as many describe.

#usb #usa #fed #usdt #Bitcoin #nostr #plebchain #stablecoins

Cultural Marxism is a very intelligent concept of undermining society