Tag: Rise of the nodes

It Has Already Been Written

>> April 28, 2020

>> Blog Post #66

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We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly, all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

US Declaration of Independance – July 4, 1776

It is the right of the People to abolish it…

But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

This tweet also went by today that I thought was interesting

I Wonder What The World Will Be Like In 10 Years

>> April 20, 2020

>> Blog Post #61

I wonder what the world will be like in 10 years.

I was talking to someone I know today about potentially partnering as our two respective products would work well together from a user’s standpoint. It was fun to discuss a new partnership as the past few weeks we’ve been focusing on our main product and today’s conversation was a refreshing break from it.

I think I’ve mentioned it in this blog before, I run a bitcoin business, and therefore the use cases we discuss are always fringe to a certain degree as Bitcoin is certainly not a massively adopted product, at least yet. Maybe it will never be and quite honestly that doesn’t bother me at all as I am not necessarily routing for it to be. I am convinced Bitcoin can have a perfectly bright future without mass adoption.

One specific topic that I am very interested in is the frontier between bitcoin and FIAT currencies. I am of the opinion that any business sitting at that frontier is taking a lot of risks as governments can turn on them in a heartbeat and create nightmarish scenarios. I’ll define a nightmarish scenario one in which either all of your cash or all of your time are captured for a period longer than you can withstand as an entrepreneur. It doesn’t mean these businesses currently trying will not succeed, just that it’s not a risk I personally feel like taking. That’s why I do not want to sit at the Bitcoin to FIAT frontier.

For the same reason, as an individual, I think someone who would like to accumulate bitcoin has two good choices he can make. Either he earns bitcoin for his work or he buys them – for FIAT – from an individual, not a crypto exchange. What will that market look like in 10 years? I feel alternatives are starting to emerge that offer bitcoin on and off ramps, but they all seem too centralized yet. As people seem to be focusing on usability through UX and UI, I believe the core tenants of privacy and security first might be taking a backseat. I hope that is just an impression.

People are the layer that I believe will provide the next step of development for Bitcoin. People coming together and putting their separate pieces of code, products, networks together. Advancing Bitcoin together as a community that shares the same intentions and beliefs. I see signs of this happening. People rising up separately because they do not like the current situation and then look around at one another and join forces with people who they recognize themselves in. I guess only time will tell whether I was right or not.

Stack safely.

Obey – Conform

>> January 30, 2020

>> Blog Post #21

If you have children, do you often hear yourself, saying “no”, or “don’t do this”, or “don’t do that” or anything else that is simultaneously an order and acts as a definitive stop you should not or cannot cross? Would you consider it liberating for your kids?  Look at those three examples above. Do you see a single one that is not a negative interjection? 

The answer is no. 

Do you feel like these types of sentences are used every day? 

If you do, chances are you are probably right. If not, consider these below. Advice, rules commonly accepted as being educational or just expected behavior (and no, you are not supposed to, nor is it helpful, to hit anyone else). 

  • don’t cross the road before looking if there’s a car 
  • don’t pick your nose 
  • don’t leave the light on in your room 
  • don’t hit your brother / sister
  • etc…

These are innocent enough. But think about how many times you’ve uttered them.

Now that hopefully you are convinced just how banal they are it is time to realize that you, were once that child and were the recipient of all these orders year after year after year. Worse, try to evaluate whether such sentences are still thrown at you on a regular, even daily basis.  

We are raised to obey, conform and not encouraged to look for alternatives. 

baa baa baa baa (bleating sound) 

Choosing to disobey, rebel, feels transgressive. But it also feels right at the same time when you know that some rules are wrong. Please share with me examples of such rules in laws, traditions, personal or professional habits if you can think of any. We’ll explore them throughout the year.