LadyBitsBTC

GM Nostr! If you're in the Hampton Roads area, make sure you check out 757btc.org and come say "Hi!" at our monthly meetup this afternoon. We welcome everyone! #introductions #asknostr #bitcoin #bullshit #freedomtech #lfg #seva #tidewater #hamptonroads #hashtag #howridiculouscanigetwithahashtag #ifyourestillreadingthisletsbefriends

In Satoshi’s Forest, Sam and Cam learned all about what makes Bitcoin so special and unique – from the blockchain's interconnected blocks to equal access for everyone - and that the collective power of Bitcoin is bigger than any one person or group. Through their adventures, they discovered the value of decentralization, teamwork, and improving the world around them. Sam and Cam came back knowing that they are part of something extraordinary - Bitcoin. And so this story ends, but the magic and wonder of Bitcoin is very real. It is an incredible tool that will allow humans all over the world to interact in ways never before possible, and give back the freedom and power to create their futures on their terms.

As they climbed out of Ham and Snow’s den, Sam noticed the sun getting low in the sky. “We need to get home before the sun sets or Momma will worry!” Cam said with a yawn. “I can’t wait to explore all the ways Bitcoin is useful in My Forest! I know I will be back with loads of deeper questions, but this was a great place to start. Maybe it will even help me buy a car! Thank you all so much for sharing the world of Bitcoin!” Sam and Cam waved goodbye to their new friends, and followed Remy out of Satoshi’s Forest. “Do you know the way back from here, Sam?” Remy asked. “I sure do Remy. It was great to meet you!”

Ham jumped up and meowed loudly. “The software that we run is open source! That means that the code is freely available for anyone to see, use, and even improve. One time, the Fox Sisters suggested a clever idea for contactless payment. We adopted it and use it to make transactions at the Great Bark Market even easier. Anyone can run a node and contribute to the network, friends or enemies. Since there is no one person in charge of Bitcoin, there is no single point of failure.” “Open source is sort of like how we all work together here in the Forest. We all agree to a set of rules and no One Creature is in charge because we are all in charge! We are free to make changes to Forest Operations, but everyone has to agree on the change. Forest Operations keep everyone honest, even if they are Sneaky Creatures.” Sam had a feeling that Bitcoin was going to change things for him.

There they found a cozy den, hidden among some fallen branches of the Bitcoin Tree. Snow showed Sam and Cam a computer filled with lines of code. She explained that they ran the same copy of Bitcoin's software as other Creatures in the Forest, and that they were connected to all the Creatures in all the Forests. The software contained the blockchain and all of its proven transactions. “We run a Node here in our den that is an active participant of the Bitcoin Network’s Peer to Peer Protocol. We are directly connected to other Creatures’ Nodes throughout the Forest here, and the Forests Far Away. I’m sure Remy has told you all about how the Creatures ‘have to agree’ for something to be final. This is what that means! Each node verifies every transaction and every block. The more nodes that run, the more secure the network.”

Olivia and Remy really enjoyed these new Forest friends! “Remy, I think there are two more Creatures they need to meet. Let’s take them to see Ham and Snow!” “Oh boy! The Code Keeper Kitties!” Remy was very excited to introduce his two favorite felines. As they continued through the Forest, they came across an energetic and cheerful duo. “You must be Ham and Snow! The Codekeeper Kitties!” Cam was certain of it. “Yes, we are! We have a special role in the world of Bitcoin. We are like Agents of the Network!” Ham said. “Bitcoin is more than just a blockchain, a network, or a currency. It is also open source software. Because it is all of those things, it is everything!” Ham meowed with joy and led Sam, Cam, and the rest of the Creatures to a far part of the Tree.

Just as Sam and Cam unwrapped their lollipops, Olivia spotted the mischievous Fox Sisters, Ev and Cordy. Olivia explained how the Fox Sisters try to trick the other Creatures by attempting to "double spend" their Bitcoins. “Double spending is when someone tries to use the same Bitcoin in two different transactions. Because the Network records every transaction with a timestamp, we can see if the same address is trying to send the same Bitcoin to two different addresses. The Fox Sisters once tried to buy 500 lollipops and a Fancy Toy in the same block with the same Bitcoin. The Network of Creatures agreed that it broke the rules of double spending so they denied the attempt and the integrity of Bitcoin stood strong!” Sam and Cam thought the Fox Sisters seemed pretty sneaky, and it seemed like Bitcoin had many ways to keep everyone honest and secure at every point. “The Network at work! It’s all connected to keep everyone protected!” Sam was so excited about Bitcoin and grew eager to share it with everyone back home.

“I guess we know where we are going next!” Remy laughed. They walked past the stalls filled with wonders and delights of all kinds, until they saw Luci Lizard selling her delicious lollipops. “Lollipops! Only 5 Sats!” Luci called out. “Hi friends! Would you like to buy a lollipop?” “We don’t have any Bitcoin yet, or any money to buy a lollipop. What is a ‘Sat’?” asked Sam. “A Sat or Satoshi is smaller part of a Bitcoin, like a dime or penny is a smaller part of a Dollar. Some things are easier to buy with Sats than a whole Bitcoin. Like a lollipop!” Luci Lizard gave Sam and Cam each a lollipop for free, and told them to visit again after they set up their digital wallets.

Bella Bunny added, “The Lightning Network uses a Lightning Wallet and holds transactions off-chain, and then puts them all through at the same time. It’s like the Carpool Lane of Bitcoin!” “Oh!” said Sam. “I have to close the ice cream shop on Friday nights, and that includes the register. One of the things we do is batch process the credit card transactions from the whole day so they all go through at once. Is that similar?” Bella nodded, “You’re a smart cookie Sam!” “I love cookies!” exclaimed Cam. “Okay friends, I have to get back to my Bun Buns before they eat all the carrots. Remy, take them to see Luci! She has the best treats at the market!” Bella said as she waved and bounced away.

“Hey, buddies! I’m Capo Noni and I help keep The Fancy Shop running online.” Capo Noni lifted the gate and walked right out. “See? Not even locked. Sometimes I sleepwalk so this keeps me from wandering too far. Daryla can be a little dramatic when she talks about something she loves.” He gave Daryla a wink and a poke and walked over to a computer. “I just finished setting up the Lightning Network for Daryla’s in-store transactions, so the transaction can happen immediately for customers. This means they don’t have to wait for a block confirmation before they can take possession of their own Fancy Toys! This network holds some Bitcoin in reserve to cover the purchase. Since it has already been verified that the Bitcoin is there, it is almost instantly accepted. Everyone loves having the satisfaction of an instant purchase. Even those sly Fox Sisters like knowing when their sneaky deals cannot be undone.”

Excitement filled the air as they headed to the Great Bark Market to experience real-life Bitcoin trading. There, they met Daryla Deer who owned The Fancy Toy Shop. Daryla cheerfully accepted Bitcoin for her Fancy Toys, which came from Forests Beyond and were very hard to find. “I collect all sorts of Fancy Toys. Everyone likes something, and this is the place to trade!” Daryla Deer did a little dance before coming closer. “The Forest Far Away brings many beautiful Fancy Gifts from all around the world.” She paused and her joyful grin turned into a somber scowl. “The Dark Forest, however, brings Fancy Gifts that some might not care for…” The clouds cast a dark shadow over the Forest as she slowly pulled back a curtain. Sam and Cam crept closer until suddenly a tiger roared out from inside a cage! Sam and Cam lept back in fear, and stumbled over Remy, Bella, and Olivia. They all landed in a heap on the Forest floor and started giggling as the sunshine came back to the Forest. Daryla pranced giddily as the tiger let out a roaring laugh.

“What sort of things do you use Bitcoin for?” asked Cam. “You can use Bitcoin for Everything! It has so many uses! Have you been to the Great Bark Market yet?” Bella inquired. “That’s our next stop!” replied Remy. Bella thumped her foot in excitement. “There is nothing better than a busy day at the Great Bark Market! Can I tag along?” Cam couldn’t help but pat Bella on her fluffy head and Remy replied, “the more, the merrier!”

The friends followed Olivia and Remy to a Rabbit Hole where they met Bella Bunny, who helped the Forest Creatures create their digital wallets. Bella explained that every Creature has a unique pair of keys – a "private key" and a "public key." The private key is like a secret password known only to the Creature, while the public key is like an account number. Both are needed for a Bitcoin transaction, and transactions can be completed with just a smartphone. “The public key is long and awkward, so a wallet address is created from your public key as a shortcut. It is also unique to you, and used to easily exchange Bitcoin with other Creatures in the Forest. There is a mathematical, one way street that creates the public wallet address from your public key, so no one can figure out your keys even if they have the transaction information. You can move that Bitcoin to a private wallet that only you can access with a series of special words. As long as you can remember those words, you can take your Bitcoin with you anywhere in the world and no one else can take it!”

“I am part of a group of Mining Moles looking for creative ways to use renewable energy to run our drills. The Cloud Creatures use wind turbines and the Farm Creatures use solar panels to power their drills. Just like we use the Great Diddly Dam! ” “You guys sure are creative problem solvers,” Cam admired. Just like that, a new page appeared in the book and the Forest Creatures all shouted in celebration, “TICK TOCK NEXT BLOCK!” “Some Miner, somewhere, solved the puzzle! I can see how the Miners keep the Bitcoin Network moving. What’s next, Olivia?” Sam asked enthusiastically. Olivia grinned and said, “Follow me down the Rabbit Hole!”

“Have you noticed the dam just outside of town?” Mia motioned to a picture hanging on the wall of the Great Diddly Dam, and Sam and Cam nodded. “The ASICS we use need a lot of power to run, and since we are a small humble Forest we got creative! We use hydroelectric power from the dam to run the ASICS needed to mine here in Satoshi’s Forest. We don’t have to spend money to run the drills because the electricity required to run the drills comes from the natural, powerful flow of water! All of the Bitcoin we earn as a reward for mining goes right back into keeping Satoshi’s Forest a wonderful place to call home!”

At the base of the Bitcoin Tree, they met Mia Mole, a proud Miner. “My job here is so much fun! I navigate specialized computers called ASICS that work really hard to solve a mathematical puzzle using the previous block’s data and a special algorithm called SHA-256. These algorithms are the key to solving the puzzles, completing a new block, and adding it to the blockchain. Miners all over the world use ASICS in a race to be the first Miner to solve the puzzle! When a Miner finds the SHA that solves the last block’s puzzle, the current mempool transactions officially become part of the next block. We are always working, around the clock and throughout all the Forests, and usually get a new block about every ten minutes.” “That sounds like a lot of work, all the time!” Cam exclaimed. “It is, but it’s fun if you like puzzles. Also, the reward for solving the puzzle is worth it! I earn a set amount of Bitcoin, and any transaction fees Creatures pay to have their transaction included on the block, if I solve the puzzle first. There are only 21 Million Bitcoin that can be mined, so when we reach that limit miners will earn transaction fees only.”

Sam stood tall and asked, “So how does the transaction get from the mempool into the block? When does a block get made? What are you mining? How do I go from Blockchain to Bitcoin? What can I buy with Bitcoin and where do I keep digital currency? How do I know Bitcoin is safe? I want to know everything!” As if his questions unlocked the next level in a video game, orange confetti and balloons fell over Sam and Cam. “What great questions! I will answer them all, but one at a time! First I will take you to meet a good friend of MINE!”

Olivia Owl swooped down from the giant Bitcoin Tree. “Hoo Hoooo! Welcome. I am Olivia Owl. Is this your first time to the Forest?” Sam and Cam nodded excitedly. Olivia Owl explained that each page of this Bitcoin book is a "block" filled with transactions, and that the blocks are connected in a chain, forming the remarkable Blockchain. These recorded transactions can’t be changed later on, without modifying all of the blocks that came after AND all the Creatures in the Forest have to agree to the change. “This keeps the blockchain secure and accurate!” she fluttered.

“I learned about networks at school!” Sam exclaimed. “It’s a group or system of interconnected people or things. A spiderweb without the spider. Like the internet, power lines, and language!” Remy laughed. “And Bitcoin, too! When Creatures want to exchange value, they use the Bitcoin Network. The Bitcoin Network is available to any and every Creature in any and every Forest! Each transaction goes into a ‘waiting area’ called a mempool, and when the miners -” “The Miners? Like the Seven Dwarves? This Forest gets cooler with every new part we explore!” Cam enthusiastically shouted. “Just wait, there is so much more!” Remy replied with a smirk.

The Bitcoin Tree was even grander than Sam or Cam could have imagined! In front of them was a very busy chipmunk. “Oh hey Remy! You brought some friends.” “Hey Chip! I’m guiding these guys through Satoshi’s Forest, and I’m hoping you can share a little bit about the Blockchain.” Chip Chipmunk squeaked and squealed and spinned around in delight. The blockchain was his favorite part of Bitcoin. “The blockchain is like a special book recording all the Bitcoin transactions ever made, ensuring that everyone can see and verify them. And when a new block is made, it locks in the one before it, and the one before that, and the one before that and… Well, you get the idea! And like a tree’s roots run deep down, or far and wide, to hold it steady, the Blockchain has kept the Bitcoin Network steady and secure since 2009.”