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DisparateBits
9e7700f16afbc48053bbfca6792797de00e74d2466b84311ccd4fb32f88ffef6
learning to build on bitcoin/lightning/nostr.

god I can relate to that, had a pressure tank for the well replaced and the pipe fitting was not secured, nothing like waking up wondering why is the well running when we're all in bed? only to find a flooded basement.

slowly but surely replacing several ancient things.

Demo Time:

https://v.nostr.build/VWYvyenZa62dkGBi.mp4

Claude Desktop communicates with a local Nostr Model Context Protocol Server.

The MCP server looks for Nip89s of MCP enabled data vending machines and provides them as tools to the LLM. When Claude finds it adequate it calls a tool (asks the user if it's ok to use the tool) and the MCP server makes a NIP90 request to the DVM and gives back the answer to the LLM. The LLM builds us a nice report based on the real time data provided by a DVM living on Nostr (in the case I run it on the left screen).

nostr:nevent1qqsx07t2rwzvae6tumn5j6lvugp79psyz27z9k53lw4h2jekszrgejqpz9mhxue69uhkummnw3ezuamfdejj7q3qr0d8u8mnj6769500nypnm28a9hpk9qg8jr0ehe30tygr3wuhcnvsxpqqqqqqz4q0990

that's fucking sick

curious if you use the Fold card, what is your opinion of it? Now that they have both a debit and credit card I'm getting really tempted to go all in.

Isn’t it kinda wild how after a while you get a feel for it and it’s easy to pick up on the AI responses? They’re often formulaic.

GM! Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it. Don't wait for it. Just let it happen. It could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot black coffee, or some sats.

The ColdCard Q website absolutely wrecks my iPhone XR, completely halts to a crawl. Unusable.

I know I need a new phone but holy shit.

anytime I see people hating on capitalism I can't help but think maybe it isn't he capitalism but the fact that the entire system depends on cheap debt and money printing.

maybe if parting with money actually had a cost, we'd have less waste. less malinvestment. maybe if you couldn't subsidize your corporate losses, maybe if the government couldn't bail you out at the expense of plebs, maybe people would stop blaming capitalism.

it should hurt and give pause to part ways with real money.

“Cryptographic protocols are powerful tools that provide asymmetic defense capabilities to normal people; widespread deployment of them will have a noticeable impact upon the world by changing the power dynamics between authorities and the rest of society.” -- from jameson lopp's website

đŸ”„đŸ”„đŸ”„

God made man, Samuel Colt made them equal, Diffie-Helman made them sovereign

favorite native nostr app for macOS?

Replying to Avatar Avi Burra

Avi Burra’s *24* is an ambitious and intricately woven narrative that blends mystery, philosophy, and technology into a modern odyssey. At its heart, the novel is a deeply personal story about grief, identity, and legacy, but it also serves as a meditation on the interplay between cryptography, art, and human connection. Burra’s debut novel is as much a puzzle as it is a journey of self-discovery, with its protagonist, Oliver Battolo, unraveling a twenty-four-word seed phrase left behind by his enigmatic father—a key to both a vast Bitcoin fortune and deeper truths about life.

---

### **The Plot: A Cryptographic Quest**

The novel begins with Oliver grappling with the death of his father, Nate Battolo. At Nate’s funeral, Oliver discovers a cryptic message instructing him to find twenty-four words. These words form the seed phrase to a Bitcoin wallet. Guided by Maren, a spiritual healer and family friend, Oliver learns “time projection,” a meditative technique that allows him to access symbolic memories and alternate realities. Through these projections and real-world encounters, Oliver uncovers the twenty-four words while unraveling his father’s hidden life as an early contributor to Bitcoin.

As the narrative progresses, Oliver uncovers shocking truths about his father’s role in the early days of Bitcoin. Alongside this technological intrigue are surrealist elements tied to Jonathan Bryce’s cryptographic paintings, which serve as both literal and metaphorical keys to unlocking Nate’s secrets.

---

### **Themes: A Philosophical Mosaic**

Burra masterfully interweaves several themes throughout *24*, including:

- **Grief and Legacy**: The novel explores how Oliver processes his father’s death while uncovering Nate’s hidden life. The journey forces him to reconcile his father’s flaws with his brilliance.

- **Identity and Reinvention**: From Nate’s transformation into “Nate Battolo” at Princeton to Oliver’s own self-discovery, the novel examines how identities are shaped by choices and circumstances.

- **Philosophy and Non-Duality**: The enigmatic Noncemeister—a surreal guide representing collective consciousness—teaches Oliver about interconnectedness and non-duality, echoing traditions like Advaita Vedanta and Zen Buddhism.

- **Cryptography Meets Art**: Jonathan Bryce’s paintings symbolize hidden knowledge waiting to be deciphered, blending surrealist aesthetics with cryptographic principles.

- **Moral Complexity**: The Bitcoin fortune represents both opportunity and burden, forcing Oliver to grapple with ethical dilemmas about wealth, surveillance, and personal responsibility.

---

### **Strengths**

Burra excels at creating a layered narrative that balances intellectual depth with emotional resonance. The philosophical musings of the Noncemeister are thought-provoking without being didactic, offering readers insights into non-duality and existentialism. The integration of cryptography into the plot is seamless; even readers unfamiliar with Bitcoin will find themselves intrigued by its implications for freedom and control. Additionally, the novel’s surrealist elements—particularly the time projection episodes—are vividly described and lend the story an otherworldly quality.

The relationship between Oliver and his father is particularly compelling. Through flashbacks and projections, Nate emerges as a complex figure—brilliant yet flawed—whose decisions ripple through Oliver’s life in unexpected ways. This emotional core grounds the novel amidst its more abstract explorations.

---

### **Weaknesses**

While *24* is undeniably ambitious, its complexity may alienate some readers. The dense philosophical passages—though rewarding for those who enjoy intellectual challenges—can feel overwhelming at times. Similarly, the technical details about Bitcoin and cryptography might be difficult for readers unfamiliar with these topics.

The ending leaves several threads unresolved, including the fate of two additional Bryce paintings hinted at in the epilogue. While this ambiguity adds to the novel’s mystique, it may frustrate readers seeking closure.

---

### **Conclusion**

*24* is a bold debut that defies easy categorization. Part mystery, part philosophical treatise, part technological exploration—it is a novel that challenges its readers while rewarding their patience. Avi Burra has crafted a story that is as much about finding twenty-four words as it is about finding oneself. With its intricate plot, rich themes, and memorable characters, *24* establishes Burra as a writer to watch.

For readers who enjoy intellectual puzzles wrapped in emotional depth—think Haruki Murakami meets Neal Stephenson—*24* is an unforgettable journey worth taking.

well this sounds fucking great! nondualism has been on my mind a lot after learning about it and reading Ramana Maharshi and a few others.

Zeus said using Alby is custodial. I thought Albyhub is noncustodial?

I obviously have a lot to learn, but after hearing so many people praise Lightning and Alby, I feel like it’s still not ready for the average user. I don’t mind self hosting and a little risk I do the wrong thing, but for most people it’ll be a pain.

Messed up the mounts in pod man and when restarting my hub I opened a channel twice, $40 or so total, and can’t find any clear way to view the on-chain details. Will those channels close after inactivity? Does it go back to the on-chain Alby wallet?

#alby #asknostr

well, lost a small amount of funds because I was switching from Podman-compose to using quadlets. not sure why/how, the data volumes were the same and my bitcoin node came up and synced, but Alby acted like it was a fresh install. used the recovery words, along with the backup tool, but not sure what I did wrong:

Balances (sats):

Spendable: 0; total: 0; reserved: 0

Pending from channel closures: 0

only had like $5 or so but I had to open a new channel again 😕 not sure what went wrong or why the recovery words/wallet backup didn't restore my balance.

appreciate any advice

should be up. not sure why the container exited, still working on perfecting my own setup haha

Thanks for the heads up I’ll fix it tonight after work!

Pi is less recommended these days. Snag a Beelink NUC with an n200 and 16gb RAM, throw a 1-2TB SSD in it and you’re cooking with room to spare.