I’m not an expert on either and it’s been a while since I looked into both.
I just remember preferring op_vault over CTV because I think generic technology updates like CTV could be more dangerous. The generic upgrade can have more unintended consequences and it’s not designed for anything in particular.
It’s better to pick a specific pain point (like vaults / self custody) and design a perfect, limited solution to that specific case. Fewer things can go wrong and the solution should be better designed because it doesn’t make compromises.
Also, feel free to ask questions. Always happy to respond with whatever detail you need.
He’s correct. Bitcoin is digital air… when you’re drowning under an ocean of fiat…
And unfortunately most people will see this as progress. Like getting the new update with the latest features.
Haven’t read it but looks really good for understanding the bitcoin protocol. I didn’t read it yet because I’m pretty comfortable with those details already.
Whether you should read it depends on what you want to build (your available time and priorities).
There are alternatives to ChatGPT 4 but none as good and easy. I would use it for anything you don’t mind openai knowing. (Like learning or public open source software) If you’re working on something top secret, then you might want your own AI model running locally.
I personally wouldn’t focus on the bitcoin or nostr protocol details until you have computer science basics and know which direction you want to go.
Eventually, if you decide you want to create a nostr app, you can make use of the development kits that are available at that time. There are a few now for nostr and I’m sure they’ll only get better. There are other development kits for bitcoin and Lightning too.
Let me know if you have any questions about any of that.
Yes, it’s a great idea! I taught myself a few years ago. It’s very rewarding to see your ideas come to life.
The most important thing … never get frustrated. If you’re someone who gets frustrated easily, you’ll need find ways to dig deep and release that negative energy. As you start, you will frequently hit a wall. I remember twice having an “unsolvable” problem where I worked for five days straight. Hundreds of attempts. Nothing worked until it did. Eventually, you’ll solve the problem if you don’t give up. Make this your superpower. Be the person who never gives up and you’ll be able to do anything.
I don’t know what your background is, so it’s hard to make recommendations. I can tell you what I did…
From my previous jobs, I already had a background in app UX and basic computer science. I knew what I needed to do, but I didn’t know how to do it. I’m the kind of person who learns best by working on something I can “see” so I taught myself how to do full stack web development. Later, I taught myself rust so I could work on bitcoin projects.
Also, get a subscription to chatgpt 4. It is really good at coding and it can act as your personal tutor to explain concepts.
There are many directions you could go, so you’ll need to pick an initial direction. A few key ones: app development, protocol development, AI.
Do you have some ideas on what you might want to build?
I too was a gold bug. I believe bitcoin is inevitable after the world retries a gold backed system and later realizes its fundamental limitations in the internet age.
The future might rhyme with the past. A digital gold standard may have a lot of similarities with the historical gold standard.
The late 1800s in the USA was a highly productive period on the gold standard. Although the period greatly increased standards of living across the country, that historical period could easily appear dystopian to people of today who are dependent on the government or unable to complete in the accelerating technical world.
Inevitably there will be winners and losers and a painful adjustment for many.
Many people are dependent on the government, but the government has nothing that it hasn’t taken with force from someone else.
I think the world moves to a system of numerous small city-states like Singapore or small countries like El Salvador. Large polities like the USA or Europe break up into smaller states and strong local communities develop to help each other.
You’re right. There are no guarantees that sound money would make people productive, it will just force them to be productive because they can’t just live off of a printing press as many do now.
Presumably strong communities and charity would support those who are unable to be self sufficient.
Looks promising! I’m looking forward to seeing how this matures.
I’m personally hoping the final solution is a true open source initiative with a strong, engaged community.
Financial repression is coming soon in the USA. The interest expenses on government debt is going parabolic and there is only one solution… lower interest rates and punishing inflation.
There will be few places to hide inside the fiat financial system. Nothing will be safe if it’s inside the system. Not even real estate or other hard assets if they touch the fiat rails. The govt will raise capital gains taxes and use inflation to artificially increase gains to steal the value of your assets.
Watch them prepare…
https://www.wsj.com/finance/regulation/u-s-tackles-crypto-tax-mess-5a751679?mod=followamazon
I think it’s important to recognize that all self custody solutions have trade offs.
HWWs are great for many people but they come with privacy risks.
HWWs are physical, easily identifiable devices. For those who are nomadic, possession of one quickly doxxes you to people like border guards, hotel maids, girlfriends, etc.
Buy a HWW online? You’re in many databases if you use your address and credit card.
Of course, some HWW have additional security risks (unverified random number generators, software updates, hot connections to potentially compromised computers, etc) that many plebs don’t realize.
Anyway, I consider self custody to be an unsolved problem. We don’t yet have good UX for easy, private, and secure self custody with inheritance.
The transition to hard money will force everyone to be truly productive. Yes, for many people working useless jobs that will be a painful adaptation process. No more sociology degrees ending up on govt payrolls.
AI will also create another painful adjustment for gen Zs who are the last cohort to graduate pre-AI. They have the student debt but none of the skills.
I’m betting that in an AI / robotic world, work shifts entrepreneurial. For example, right now, why would I hire a junior software developer when AI writes software so well?
So basically, to survive the future, you’ll need to be a productive entrepreneur.