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Reflection

Consider previous tech earthquakes - the Wright brothers took mankind into the skies in 1903. By 1969 mankind was on the moon. In just 66 years (well within a typical lifespan), our horizons had expanded from propelling across continents to propelling towards outer space. At the current pace of AI advancement, what will happen to our horizons in the next 66 months? What happens in a world where beautiful music, awe inspiring art, perspective shifting prose and good ol' fashioned life advice can be generated with a few clever prompts and the click of a button?

Tag

Bitcoin

Friday Reflections, Volume XVIII
January 5, 2023
If my heart swerves in a certain direction, I'll always follow. This is a rather different yearning to craving an ice cream or gasping for a cold pint in the savage Aussie heat. Instead, it feels like a gravitational pull; a natural force that draws from my core towards a particular action, subject or environment. It can ebb and flow. It can be intense or subtle. It can be laced with fear. But once that pull emerges it is impossible to shake off. After all, denial of the heart creates only restlessness; a low hum anxiety that will forever demand attention.
4 mins
BTC is ESG
June 3, 2022
Consider our favourite corporate acronym, ESG. And digest this delicious narrative shift; there is an alignment with BTC that is truly (or perhaps wilfully) under appreciated. Bitcoin is an exceptional example of distributed governance. The network can alleviate our current social ills by fostering financial solvency and a can-do, entrepreneurial spirit. And mining has environmental qualities that can no longer be denied. It's bloody remarkable, this magic internet money.
Turning Thirty Three
March 24, 2022
There is one thing that evades me, however; proper interaction with others interested in this 'big picture' thinking. It reflects a prior reluctance on my part to share what I write, other than passively publishing on this site. That reluctance is beginning to fade (thankfully), as I reach firmer conclusions about who I am (an investing, thinky type) and what I have to offer (legible English, quirky subjects and half decent interweb skills). It explains why I have a 'contributors' page. This ain't meant to be a one man mission!
4 mins
The Bitcoin Backstop
January 11, 2022
Bitcoin, the asset, is the purest store-of-value we have ever seen. It is the simple conversion of energy (via math and code) into verifiable truth, whether via hydrocarbons, renewables, nuclear reactions or even god damn volcanoes. Real estate is stale in comparison; you may expend energy to form static bricks, aluminium or concrete. But it just degrades without active maintenance. Gold, whilst durable can be centralised or even confiscated. And don't forget the high costs of extraction. So where does this leave our good friend fiat?
It's Just The Sun Rising
December 31, 2021
We've reached the end of 2021, folks. As we conclude the second (and hopefully last) year of bug-related twists and turns, it feels pretty good to sit down, take a deep breath and enjoy a well earned rest. Traditionally, I'd be knee deep in a strange mix of pork pies, chocolate and beer. But 2021 hits a little differently. Y'see, this is the first time I can look back at a solid 12 months of musing. And on reflection, the back catalogue has captured an evolving state of mind during this rollercoaster of a year.
3 mins
The Great Crypto Schism
November 23, 2021
For a few weeks now I've been trying to establish a clear worldview on the wider Crypto landscape. Y'see, I'm fairly settled on the epic store-of-value proposition that is Bitcoin. I've dived into the gory details, gained some practical skills, and completely overindulged in the 24/7 debates sparked in Twitterland. And just like a BTC-Big Mac in El Salvador, it all feels rather warm, gooey.....and potentially fatal. So to address this intellectual comfort, I must stress-test my understanding of Bitcoin. I must fuel my curiosity by casting a wider net.
Friday Reflections, Volume XVII
October 15, 2021
As a node operator, my understanding of Bitcoin has evolved significantly. A theoretical framework has been transformed into lived, practical experience. I monitor the Mempool to check on my Lightning channel status. I engage with other node operators to create liquidity swaps. I scroll through 1ML and Amboss to find other Lightning peers. I collect sats for routing payments. It is a vivid demonstration of my previous notion; that Bitcoin, and by extension its timechain, may just be the the final word on financial freedom.