“Cypherpunks write code. We know that someone has to write software to defend privacy, and since we can't get privacy unless we all do, we're going to write it. We publish our code so that our fellow Cypherpunks may practice and play with it. Our code is free for all to use, worldwide. We don't much care if you don't approve of the software we write. We know that software can't be destroyed and that a widely dispersed system can't be shut down.”
Eric Hughes *A Cypherpunk’s Manifesto*
The nsec is required to sign the event, just like any other event. If you don’t have the nsec you can’t create a valid event from that pubkey. The only way someone could send malicious events to get funds from your wallet is to steal your nsec or if your wallet doesn’t check if the event has a valid signature.
Yes. If someone steals your private key they can send funds with your Lightning Wallet. The solution is quotas so your whole wallet can’t get emptied immediately.
I love people genuinely excited about something. The smile that lights up someone’s face when they talk about something they really care about is priceless. Builders are way more fun then critics.
If we’re influenced by the writing style and tone that we read then have many of us started writing more like AI? Honestly that might be a good thing for a lot of people since AI’s are usually decently nice and apologetic.
What do you think #[0]?
I feel like the syntax was poorly designed. What’s with the unused semicolons too? If they’re no longer considered good coding style they should just be removed from the language.
I’m not completely clear what you mean about proof of work vs stake on Nostr but hopefully I can clarify a few things.
1. The relays are archiving your notes and other events. Since the entire event is cryptographically signed they can’t change it in any way.
2. Public key private key cryptography signs the event and proves (just like in Bitcoin) that whoever sent the event has access to the private key.
3. Whenever you make information public there is no way to stop people from saving that information. This is inherent no matter how you publish that information.
4. Notes are only tied to your public key. If your public key is tied to your physical identity than your notes are tied to you. But you don’t have to associate your pubkey and physical identity.
5. Whenever you make information public it’s difficult to control how others use it. You could try to distribute it under a license and then sue people who violate that license but no matter how you publish information it’s extremely difficult to control how it’s used. This is not unique to Nostr.
If I understand what you mean correctly then kind of. It’s a way for you to share interesting thoughts and ideas you’ve found around the web with others. The spiriting away to other people’s computers is optional though. If you’re worried about relays removing your notes than you can spirit it away to a computer you control.
It’s really not staking. The point is not ownership. Notes are information. Information can’t be owned, only hidden with encryption or tied to a public key by signing with a private key.
You are absolutely correct that storing your notes on someone else’s computer is just a promise. The great thing about Nostr is that if one of your relays goes down or decides they don’t like your notes you’ve still got 11 other relays still storing your notes. There are also plenty of one tap options available to start running relays that make it incredibly simple to self custody.
You can also run your own relay. Then you’ll be in control of the notes you store. Another way is to pay for a relay in exchange for a promise that they’ll store your notes.
Whoever owns the relay. It’s their computer. The note ID isn’t about access but cryptographic verification.
An event is signed by your private key and is cryptographically tied to your pubkey identity.
Good morning! I feel bad because I forgot to buy something for my Mom! I think I can pick up some flowers on the way home.
Thanks for doing this! I hope you find a great dev to send to BTC23.
Found a Nostrich IRL. 
Me circa 2040 watching AI. 