I've stopped using Nostr (this will be my last post for a while).
Sorry if that makes some people mad, but I just can't justify spending time crashing my computer for a potato UX with zero engagement, just to hang around a bunch of maxis.
The decentralized social media champion will have to be crowned another day.
Follow me @TheDesertLynx on X, Mastodon, Minds, Gab, etc. etc. etc.
The number of people who could make a difference, but are too busy getting sidetracked or scammed, is absolutely astounding.
Don't let them goad you into saying things that make yourself lesser as a result, though.
Yes, I work in crypto (Dash), and I have a side project learning and educating about it (Digital Cash Network).
But I'm also a daily user, and I genuinely love this stuff.
Every time a new feature or service I've been waiting for gets released I get really excited to use it! 🤩
I've almost entirely cut out spam calls, targeted ads, bad performance, and more across all devices.
Yes, your phone/computer is spying on you.
Yes, you can do something about it.
I genuinely want the whole world to be better off.
Yes, even the people I talk smack to.
Thanks to my tiara-wearing pink chair-having friend for a good dive into a controversial and nuanced subject like "Aussie man bad."
Tomorrow (Friday) at 4pm EST/9pm UTC Dash Core Developer Pasta comes back on the Dash Podcast!
I've been talking about #NationalDivorce for a while. Now we see US states openly defying federal actions.
This is just the beginning. Nullification first, then eventually a conversation about rethinking our relationship with the feds.
We better do this right, and peacefully.
Do you have any stories of mind-blowing incompetence from your work?
I'm really curious.
When did someone you worked with do something so unbelievable that you had to just sit down and process it for a second?
Good catching up with Scott on the craziness of our times.
I especially enjoyed the Zcash Binance discussion. Lots of necessary nuance!
"Live free or die" translated:
"I will be free. I don't value an unfree life. So I will do anything it takes, up to and including losing my own life, to acquire freedom. You'd better not stand in my way."
Freedom is non-negotiable.
In 2012, I lived entirely off of government-controlled money with custodial institutions, using surveillance apps by megacorps in bed with the government.
Today, outside of X, pretty much none of it is true. And I've sustained this for years now. Others are joining me.
Darkest before dawn maybe, but I could never imagine the most powerful government in the world just basically rolling over and accepting that scarce decentralized money had to be allowed to happen.
Lots of darkness, but I see a light-filled future. And my life's work will go towards making sure it happens!
Lots of crazy stuff to talk about. Join Scott and I in an hour!
I want everyone to use crypto.
But I want you to be safe. Privacy is tricky, but absolutely worth it.
Your coins may be spying on you! 👁️
Here's some basic tips for privacy when using crypto (bookmark this! 🔖):
🥷Use a VPN or Tor/I2P
🥷Don't share addresses publicly anywhere
🥷Use encrypted secure comms to share addresses
🥷Avoid KYC/giving your ID (where possible)
🥷Avoid using easily-identified emails/phone numbers
🥷Use a privacy function/coin
Bonus: Don't buy/receive, run through a privacy function, then spend/send the exact same amount in a short timeframe. Space out times and amounts so they can't easily be correlated.
Do as many of these as you can. It takes practice, but you can start now.
And reminder: your fiat is already spying on you way more. So don't be afraid to use crypto.
For a while I've predicted that this bull cycle (2024-2025) we'd see early majority adoption of cryptocurrencies.
This is where just about everyone will know someone who uses or has some.
I also predicted that the next bull cycle (2028-2029) is when you'll see early mass adoption, where you'll regularly see people using and interacting with cryptos in daily life.
With the recent ETF approvals, I think we can safely say that I was right on the first prediction. Stay tuned for 2028!
Now: while the level of entrenchment in culture and the financial system is pretty good, actual adoption of the core technology by end users is severely lagging.
This is my focus over the next few years: get people using the crypto on actual crypto rails, not on legacy (centralized, trusted, controlled) finance and tech rails.
If we get mass adoption on legacy systems, it's going to be so much work to then go back and decentralize everything properly!
Merry Christmas everyone! 🎄🎅☃️
Stay caffeinated, don't fight with your family, keep it measured with the booze, and remember to hydrate.
Had a really amazing time with all my friends on the show yesterday.
Ran so long that Restream actually cut us off! 🤯
With people like this involved in crypto, I think we're doing to do just fine.
Merry Christmas everyone!
What a great way to wrap up an over year-long journey into Zcash!
I'm convinced that when the story is told of how we built the free and fantastic digital world, Zcash will play a big part.
Privacy is normal.
Live with Ian Sagstetter!