Bitcoin books are boring. To my mind, we don't need books which explain what it is, and why it's necessary. We already have enough. However, we do need more nuanced takes. More narratives that connect Bitcoin to freedom. I'd like to read more books on privacy, freedom tech, homesteading, sovereign health, stoicism, self-improvement, and financial education. If you are writing on these topics, check the new Konsenses site.

Konsensus

Konsensus — Independent Publishing for Independent Thinkers

Stories, essays, and ideas on economics, freedom, and futures.

Yes, I'm an editor there, so I'm biased, but over the last 7 years, Konsensus has worked with some of the best-known authors in the Bitcoin and freedom tech space, publishing over 100 titles. @Lawrence Lepard, @Anil, @Lyn Alden, @Brian Hirschfield to name but a few. The submissions process for publishing is now easier and more transparent. We'll get back to you within one week, and we only work with freedom and self-sovereignty authors. That means we know how to represent entropy on a book cover and not to edit out terms like 'absolute scarcity'. Our projects generally go from manuscript to book in hand in less than 3 months. Plus, we are staffed by real humans (like me). Got questions about how it works? Just DM. If you are a freedom-minded writer with an idea you'd like to spread, we're listening. #books #wristr #bookstr #author #writing

Some beautiful and balanced thoughts in this little book by @Roger 9000 "Bitcoin is mythology because Bitcoin is a story," he says. In fact, I don't agree with this. For me, the network itself is a technological solution to the problem of money. Electricity, the aeroplane, the internet: these are not stories either. Yes, we all relate to the myth of Satoshi, but without revealing his identity, his character, Satoshi is simply a mirror to ourselves. Still, on the next page, Roger writes, "You align with a story, an ideology, that enables you to stand on the shoulders of giants, just like Satoshi." Profound. Personally, I think we need more exploration of Bitcoin stories - ones with human agency, three-dimensional characters, and moments of epiphany and change. This book offers a range of meditations covering several topics. At the very least, it will make you explore the ideas internally, much more deeply, over time. Stories are just one of the many themes covered. If you know, Roger, you can probably imagine some of the others. #bookstr #bookreview #bitcoin

For freelancers like me, Bitcoin largely solves payment issues. There is no 'it should be arriving soon'. You either sent the money or you didn't. I'm testing out Bitlance.work. Seems interesting as it provides escrow to ensure there is no waiting for payment. Bitcoin deserves platforms which solicit high standards of work, not where we outbid each other in a race to the bottom. Let's see what happens in the space.

4 day hiking trip to the west of the island from tomorrow. I will be mostly incomunicado.

The end of the quarter is drawing near, and I am feeling my usual terror. View article →

Standing in line at the post office two hours ago. The woman in front of me hands over a 50 euro note. "I want to send money to the Dominican republic." The clerk takes the money. "This will take three working days." The woman nods. He taps on his computer. "They'll receive 3,050 pesos." The woman shrugs and says "OK." The actual exchange rate is 3,412. 12% to send money. 12%! The fact she accepted the rate shows a) blind faith, b) a lack of understanding of how forex works, or that c) she has no choice. It's usually option c). Her family member probably has no account or the banking infrastructure is even more vulture-like than to take 12% to send money across a border. The transaction took so long it wasn't even finished when I collected my package and left. Name, ID, profession, reason for sending the money, and she had to ring the recipient (who wasn't picking up). We can create functioning businesses with AI in less than 3 days. But that relative in the Caribbean won't receive a penny until Thursday. When someone says Bitcoin has no use case, I will tell them this story. The only thing those people lacked was the understanding of how to send a Lightning transaction (instant and a few cents in fees). I've also heard about Venezuelans and Cubans here giving literal bills to a mule, and hoping it reaches their family. Imagine how people can thrive when they aren't trapped in a world where this is normal.

GM Surveying my haul from @BTC Prague. Thanks to @npub1l9m3...sepm, @Roger 9000, @AJ, @BitPopArt, @Juraj🏴💛🌘, @npub186c5...qacz, @Lady Block Jane, @600 000 000 000, @TheBitJourney, and many more artists and authors I shoot hands with. Came back with only 1 copy of @21 Futures left! RIP my reading list.

Ecash has a new user... me! On @Brian Hirschfield's recommendation, I added @ZEUS and received 256 sats in eCash. What is it best to use it for? Still don't quite follow the advantages over LN wallets. Give me all your tips, nostriches. #asknostr

GM, and goodbye to Prague. 👋

One of us doesn't care...

"We must have a vision for where we are going." From Paul Rosenberg's speech in Prague. Great.

UTXO!

GART Stage at Prague is where the real convos are happening. Good way to kick off the conf.

GM. Last coffee woth the little grey monster before I fly to @BTC Prague In the last few days, I've experienced some wild mood swings about working in Bitcoin (it ain't easy, but it's much). Conferences usually bring out the best in the community. Looking forward to meet n greets, selling a few copies of @21 Futures, recording podcasts for @White Noise, going to the @600 000 000 000 party, meeting the artists at the gallery, and whatever else this crazy weekend brings.

Sometimes I crave a 'normal' job: A comfortable salary, 3 meetings a day, some spreadsheets, emails, and a lot of pretending to be busy and being missed off at Janice from accounts. Then I see a post like this (in my local community) and I remember how much I loathe that world. I'd prefer to beg for sats on the street than satisfy my cravings for the best Headless 360 release nuggets. Fiat clownworld. 🤡

IMPORTANT QUESTION: If @Roger 9000 decided to pass on his name to his son, would the child be called a) Roger 4500, b) Roger 18000, c) Roger 9k Jnr, or d) The Artist Formerly Known as Roger? #asknostr

Does anyone know what Robert Breedlove's current bodyfat percentage is? It's been more than 48 hours since his last update, and I can't bear to be kept in the dark like this.

🤍💙💛 🌴🌴

GM