Am I the only one feeling a bit depressed by the resurgence in shitcoins?
Great, non-technical overview of the Ark protocol by nostr:npub1jusfy5rfwzrj42zkrcja09c675dk979tzhfdlzk9fp7hjg424yusjrhr2e: https://youtu.be/HKaj41uFMr4?si=Oe4tDeGXhkm-IEyk
For those looking for the best independent reporting and commentary on the US security state and Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza, I highly recommend The Grayzone: https://www.youtube.com/live/PgDHJyaSCjY?si=faZcB8M5lyAxicM6
They come from a really principled anti-war progressive viewpoint. And even though I am in the free market anarchist camp (the the extent there's enough ancaps to comprise a camp), I have deep admiration for their intellectual honesty and rigor.
This painting by nostr:npub17nd4yu9anyd3004pumgrtazaacujjxwzj36thtqsxskjy0r5urgqf6950x has quickly become one my prized possessions 💜
It isn't just the beauty of the art, and incredible expressivity in the brushstrokes, but the fact that I purchased it on Nostr, with bitcoin.
Every time walk through my entryway and see it, it makes me smile. I think of how this nascent, censorship-resistant communications protocol connected me in New Zealand with an incredible artist in Italy. And using unstoppable money I was able to instantly transfer value across the globe. No middle-men. No "platforms" taking a cut and manipulating me with their ads and perverse incentives. Just two people, trading value for value. The best money in the world, for some the best art.
Please do
Don’t be discouraged 💜 This guy clearly doesn’t understand the value of art. Fiat mindset.
I think the vitriol is a result of people correctly identifying, if not always fully articulating, that Saylor frequently talks out of both sides of his mouth.
In a few short years has he gone from saying "tax that!" to essentially condemning self-custody, cryptoanarchy, and anyone with an adversarial mindset vis a vis the state.
There is more than a whiff Elon Musk-esque carnival barker-y in Saylor. He reeks of inauthenticity and a lack of any deeply held values. He seems willing to change his views on a dime, with no acknowledgement, based on what he sees as being in his economic interest at that moment.
This isn't a case of Bitcoin's overactive social immune system. The pushback against Saylor is warranted and healthy, in my view. He wields a lot of influence, and has the potential to do a great deal of harm even as he helps pump the price. I would argue his position as an ossificationist has already done significant damage. And his opposition to self-custody and bitcoin's more revolutionary potential could do even more (btw, notice that his opposition to further protocol changes and self-custody are entirely consistent).
Just my 2sats. I'd be curious to hear if anyone disagrees.
nostr:note1tltthmmk8vr08fj3jyaqfakdu9rpsmyfn0hsaht9yhv0z6lta7msgxlc4c
This is the least important election of our lifetime
I'm looking to purchase a 4K TV that doesn't spy on me. Does anyone have suggestions?
Doing some perusing, it doesn't look like these are even made. It's like trying to find a car that isn't just a computer on wheels.
In what culture do they call a sunshower "the devil is beating his wife"?
That is a cute pup! 💜
The book or the mini-series?
The mini-series with Pierce Brosnan is superb! It’s this perfect time-capsule of Hong Kong at its peak in 1988.
Did Coracle go down?
Important Announcement
We have made the decision to no longer list projects in sensitive conflict zones, including any project raising funds for, or located in such zones. This is effective today.
It wasn’t an easy decision, and it’s one that we know will bring some disappointment amongst you.
Geyser has always stood for providing access to crowdfunding to those that previously didn’t. We serve a global user-base that, through the power of Bitcoin and human connection, has and will continue to positively impact the world.
We have also gone through great lengths to preserve Bitcoin’s properties of being a sovereign medium of exchange, ensuring we never take custody of funds and do not require the submission of identification to raise funds.
Unfortunately, and as many of you know, the movement of funds is increasingly a point of scrutiny. Even more so when the destination of those funds is a conflict area where it is difficult to have any guarantee that funds won’t be used to finance war, resistance movements, scams and criminal activities.
We do not custody, administer, or control any funds contributed to the projects at any time. Additionally, we aim to avoid the possibility of these funds falling into the wrong hands. Accepting and listing such projects could necessitate implementing increasingly intrusive measures to verify the identities of creators, which we prefer to avoid.
Importantly, we have no reason to believe any funds raised on Geyser to this day have been used for criminal activities. But, after carefully considering the risks, we decided to no longer list projects in those high risk regions.
For these types of sensitive projects in conflict zones, protocols > platforms.
While this was a difficult decision, it is one that will allow us to give a greater focus on supporting the creators, educators and builders furthering Bitcoin adoption.
Our mission continues to be to enable powerful Bitcoin ideas around the world.
For more details on which countries and regions are currently supported on Geyser, see:
https://guide.geyser.fund/geyser-docs/resources/countries-on-geyser
I notice that Israel doesn’t make the list, but Palestine does.
So we can use Geyser to donate to those perpetrating a genocide, just not to those being slaughtered?
As good as this conversation was, the aesthetics of this studio is truly sublime 💜
Gabor and Daniel Maté have also been doing great work advocating for Palestinian rights
Szasz also points out how pseudo-scientific the concept of mental illness is. It misattributes the cause of feelings and behavior to mere brain chemical balances and hand-wavy genetics without being able to objectively demonstrate any of this.
Instead, the true cause of what are often called mental illnesses is the trauma individuals experience (generally at young age). And the lessons that get internalized from these traumas.
I struggle to put myself in the mindset of the architect who designed this. Unless it was originally built as some rendition dark site for MI6, or the place for Jimmy Savile to take his victims, its malevolence makes no sense.
I've been in UK for medical care at this place.
I struggle to believe anyone has ever recovered from anything in this building.
https://loaf.com/products/our-perfect-mattress?variant=firm
Affordable, but excellent
Pocket sprung, relatively firm, a slatted bed frame that allows air flow through the mattress.
Latex and memory foam are torture devices, especially if you are a hot sleeper.
I think because Saif has heard Konstantin in other venues and has seen how dishonest of a broker he is. His actions bely his protestations that he is not pro-genocide.
The debate he moderated with Brianna Joy Gray and Eli Lake was especially revealing: https://youtu.be/_M15lTZ41dM?si=prBKnHdbDrfOAbwK
Saif is in a difficult position of calling bullshit on someone who feigns objective impartiality but who is really a propagandist with an agenda.
When you consider that Konstantin is advocating for the continued genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, I can understand Saif struggling to keep his cool.
Weird juxtaposition
In a hotel restaurant enjoying my morning sencha, I can’t help but overhear the only other person there ask the Hungarian waiter if he had heard that Ukraine had managed to take the fight into Russia (presumably referring to their recent assault on Kursk)?
She sounded so excited, and clearly believed this was some sign that Ukraine was turning the tide of the war (which is exactly the PR effect Ukraine hoped to achieve). I found myself looking at her, just thinking how we are living in totally different universes. How, in the year 2024, could she still uncritically believe anything the news feeds her?
Then I went back to enjoying my tea and the beauty of the courtyard garden.
GM
I could totally see you creating an amazing painting of this scene! It would very much suit your style 💜