*Chat Control Must Be Stopped – Now!*
With its legislative proposal known as “Chat Control,” the EU Commission is trying to establish an unprecedented mass-surveillance apparatus of Orwellian proportions in the European Union.
If EU citizens don’t act now, Chat Control could become a reality and online privacy a thing of the past.
Mass surveillance is an incredibly bad idea for a number of reasons. We highlight three of them on our blog:
What can you do?
Since the matter may be decided this Wednesday, June 19, 2024, time is a critical factor. If you’re an EU citizen, please consider contacting your government’s representative today, asking them to vote against Chat Control.
London hospitals cancel over 800 operations after ransomware attack
The article highlights the devastating consequences of a ransomware attack on the IT system of the Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in London, resulting in the cancellation of over 800 operations.
This incident underscores the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures in healthcare organizations, particularly those responsible for patient care.
The attack also emphasizes the need for comprehensive backup and disaster recovery strategies, as well as employee training and awareness programs to prevent such attacks.
Furthermore, it serves as a reminder of the potential life-threatening consequences of cyber attacks on healthcare systems, making it essential for organizations to invest in proactive security measures to mitigate such risks.
Introducing Ark Labs: A new venture to bring seamless and scalable payments to bitcoin
ARK, a groundbreaking layer two protocol, might finally offer the perfect blend of seamless payments and true self-custody. By streamlining onboarding and allowing unilateral exits, it tackles the long-standing issues of inbound liquidity and custodial risks.
This innovative approach combines the benefits of payment channels, e-cash, and Bitcoin itself, potentially revolutionizing the world of digital payments.
“The last point is crucial — users can withdraw their Ark funds at any time, even if their ASP goes offline or ceases to exist. True self-custody.” --Ark Labs
U.S. federal agencies experienced 32,000 cybersecurity incidents in 2023
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/FY23-FISMA-Report.pdf
The increasing sophistication of phishing attacks in recent years suggests that government incidents will likely follow suit, making it essential to exercise extreme caution when dealing with unsolicited emails.
As we dive into an era where AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, it's crucial to remain hyper-vigilant and scrutinize every unsolicited email correspondence to avoid falling prey to these increasingly cunning attacks.
Former head of NSA joins OpenAI board
https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/13/24178079/openai-board-paul-nakasone-nsa-safety
The AI ecosystem is built on a foundation of trust, but in the realm of security, it's essential to adopt a more cautious approach and minimize reliance on third-party entities.
However, there are some AI tools that offer a degree of privacy, such as Unleashed.chat and Venice.ai, which are worth exploring. It's crucial to remain vigilant and scrutinize AI providers closely, as they can significantly impact the security and privacy of your interactions.
Suriname Decentralized: the Bitcoin & Nostr conference in the Amazon
https://surinamedecentralized.com
When is Curaçao having their own decentralized conference?
5 reasons to integrate Bitcoin Lightning Network into your business
Discover how payment processing with Bitcoin Lightning Network can be the key to take your business to the next level.
https://blog.clovrlabs.com/en/5-reasons-to-integrate-bitcoin-lightning-network-into-your-business/
Here is a great place to look for relays:
Online Relays
Relays where a connection can currently be established.
#Bitcoin distribution. 
Switch to a Chat GPT that is not centralized.
“When you, as a Venice user, make a request, it is transmitted to our proxy server, then directed to a pool of GPUs running across a collection of decentralized providers. After the GPU processes the request using the open-source AI model you selected, the response is then streamed directly back to your browser via the proxy, but without persisting it in any form of permanent Venice storage.”
Venice.ai Privacy Architecture
LIGHTNING IS THE COMMON LANGUAGE OF THE BITCOIN ECONOMY
Lightning is becoming a translation layer, or a glue, that holds together different systems built on Bitcoin.
https://bitcoinmagazine.com/technical/lightning-is-the-common-language-of-the-bitcoin-economy-
SOFTWARE WALLETS
Comparing 23 Bitcoin Software Wallets feature by feature
“ICBC said that Bitcoin has managed to retain a scarcity similar to gold through its mathematical consensus mechanism. The flagship crypto has resolved issues related to divisibility, authenticity verification, and portability.
The report added that despite Bitcoin’s waning monetary attributes, its status as an asset is solidifying.”
World’s largest bank ICBC praises the evolution of Bitcoin, Ethereum as innovative financial assets
ICBC compared Bitcoin to gold and said Ethereum has established itself as “digital oil” capable of powering myriad applications across the web3 ecosystem.
“…that the lives and efforts of other men are not his property and are not there to serve his wishes. A rational man never holds a desire or pursues a goal which cannot be achieved directly or indirectly by his own effort.” -- Ayn Rand
In a world often perceived as a constant tug-of-war between individual desires and societal expectations, Ayn Rand's philosophy of rational self-interest offers a thought-provoking perspective.
Her principles challenge the conventional wisdom that pits individual interests against those of society, casting doubt on the supposed conflict between competition and cooperation.
Rand's ideas invite us to re-examine our understanding of freedom and responsibility, prompting us to question whether the perceived clash between the individual and the collective is indeed a myth.
By delving into her principles, we may uncover a more nuanced and harmonious relationship between personal pursuits and societal well-being, shedding light on the intricate interplay between self-interest and the greater good.
The original article:
The Virtue of Selfishness Series by Ayn Rand https://www.douglasficek.com/teaching/phi-102/rand.pdf
“Educating the world about bitcoin has succeeded in building a community of knowledgeable, dedicated, enthusiastic people from the fields of tech, economics, politics, and finance, but orange pilling has taken us as far as it can. Like many strategies, the marginal gains of educating the world were remarkable in the early stages, but they’ve flattened… Orange pilling has stopped working.” -- Roy Sheinfeld
As the cryptocurrency landscape evolves, the traditional “orange-pilling” strategy – the process of educating and convincing people about the merits of Bitcoin – seems to be losing its effectiveness. This article delves into the potential limitations of this approach and explores new avenues that could drive broader adoption in a rapidly changing landscape.
The concept of orange-pilling, derived from the famous “red pill” analogy in the Matrix, has been a cornerstone of the Bitcoin community's efforts to spread awareness and understanding. However, as the technology matures and the market becomes more saturated, relying solely on educational efforts may no longer be sufficient. This article aims to provide a fresh perspective on creating real-world utility for Bitcoin, which could be the key to unlocking its true potential and driving widespread adoption.
Orange Pilling Has Stopped Working.
https://medium.com/breez-technology/orange-pilling-has-stopped-working-4a407252c7a3
Online Privacy: An Endangered Species
https://threema.ch/en/blog/posts/online-privacy-endangered-species
“In NRA, the Court addressed a critical issue impacting not only traditional advocacy groups but any disfavored, but legal, industry. This ruling draws parallels to Operation Choke Point 2.0, where U.S. regulators have allegedly been targeting crypto businesses through financial exclusion. Moreover, the recent _Cantero_ decision sheds light on how this legal framework might impact Custodia Bank's appeal against the denial of their master account by the Federal Reserve.” -- Colin Crossman
Recent Supreme Court rulings could provide powerful legal ammunition to combat the excessive regulatory crackdown and unlawful assaults on the Bitcoin and cryptocurrency industry. These verdicts may reshape the battle against Operation Choke Point 2.0, which aims to cut off the crypto market's access to financial services. Additionally, they could influence the ongoing struggle of Custodia Bank, whose application for a Federal Reserve account was rejected, potentially opening new avenues for the bank to challenge that decision. These rulings shed light on the implications for the crypto space and may offer opportunities to counter the overreaching measures threatening its growth and innovation.
Great article by Colin Crossman.
NRA & Cantero in the Supreme Court: Implications for Operation Choke Point 2.0 and Custodia Bank
The establishment, driven by an insatiable desire for control and oversight, has embarked on a relentless pursuit of convenience under the guise of progress. However, this facade conceals a more controlling agenda – the systematic erosion of individual autonomy in financial transactions.
By implementing intricate layers of surveillance and monitoring mechanisms, they have effectively erected barriers that impede the free flow of value between individuals. This deliberate obfuscation of peer-to-peer transactions not only undermines personal privacy but also serves as a potent tool for maintaining centralized authority over the very lifeblood of economic exchange.
Want to pay cash? That’ll cost you extra
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/want-pay-cash-ll-cost-120000404.html
“The stadium’s concession stands no longer take cash. An employee directed him to a kiosk that could convert his greenbacks into plastic. Khamallah, 41 years old, fed $200 into the reverse ATM, which subtracted a $3.50 fee and spat out a debit card with a balance of $196.50.”
Bring Your Own Lightning Address
The article argues that understanding Bitcoin is not a test of intelligence, but rather a test of humility. It suggests that those with high IQs often struggle to grasp Bitcoin's core principles due to their egos and preconceived notions.
The author contends that Bitcoin challenges traditional ways of thinking and requires an open mind to comprehend its decentralized, trustless nature.
The article emphasizes that Bitcoin's true value lies in its ability to transfer value without relying on third parties, which is a paradigm shift from traditional financial systems.
Ultimately, the article posits that embracing Bitcoin requires setting aside one's ego and humbly accepting a new way of thinking about money and trust.
Bitcoin is Not an IQ Test But a Humility Test
https://www.piecover.com/2024/06/bitcoin-is-not-iq-test-but-hmility-test.html?m=1