If we factor micro-transactions into the equation, like zapping here on SN, and we start seeing tens of millions of transactions per block, and block size scales, then nodes will explode in size limiting node operators to the largest datacenter operators in the world. This centralizes the network and cedes consensus to a few big well funded corporations. This is definitely not Satoshi's vision. Layer 2s are inevitable at some point. And if they are inevitable, then small blocks make sense. Bitcoin Core wins. Based on hash rate and energy use, it's not even close. BCH is dying a slow death. And yes...tired of this debate. The market has chosen. Let's move on.

If you get more excited about a difficulty adjustment than a new ATH, then you might be a Bitcoiner.

This was pretty awesome. Did you make this?

Saving in a currency that cannot be debased brings hope for a better future. On the flip side, saving in fiat and seeing the cost of everything rise faster than your ability to save brings nothing but hopelessness and desparation.

It is true that every block has a significant amount of dust UTXOs. I have not measured or defined what is economically unspendable, but I do wonder why hundreds of these tiny transactions always appear on-chain in every single block:

Money has been transacted with for far longer than Gov't issued money. In almost all cases, it was initially used as a store of value. Exchanged in ceremonial events like weddings, births, battle victories, or deaths. The money would change to something else when technology came along and disrupted it. E.g., Glass beads in Africa were massively debased when Europeans brought them in by the crate and loaded up their cargo boats with ivory, gold, and slaves which they were able to trade for the beads. It took decades before the locals understood what had happened. In this pessimistic regard, not much has changed.

Very relatable. One of the tactics that I bring up when talking to people about Bitcoin or money more generally, include the "properties of money". Money is frequently described as the most saleable good. The history of money, as I have learned reading several books on the subject, experimented with many different goods: Salt, Yap stones, cowry shells, tobacco, grain, cattle, glass beads, silver, gold, gold backed IOUs, fiat, Bitcoin, and so on. Each of these mediums of exchange and stores of value have properties that can be weighed.

If someone dismisses Bitcoin as a collector's item like baseball cards or Beanie Babies (yes, I have heard these comparisons), I try to engage that person by testing these collectibles for their properties, and of course these collector's items do not look good in comparison to other forms of money.

One counter argument that I have frequently heard against Bitcoin is that it is not "backed by anything". Whereas fiat (USD) is backed by the U.S. Government. This weighs the sovereignty property above all else. We know that Bitcoin is secured by one of the world's largest networks, so it is "backed" by energy and unbreakable cryptography. Additionally, government sovereignty of money does not apply to gold which is still used today as a settlement layer among the largest global financial institutions.

One of the major challenges is that we have all been so deeply indoctrinated on the fiat standard that considering other standards challenges and disrupts our world view. Bitcoin, and the study of hard money, exposes the fraud we have all been economically and mentally bound by. I, for one, would rather exist with uncomfortable truth than be enslaved by comfortable lies.

Nice. Putting aside a Telegram clone, MLS over NOSTR is itself an achievement.

Buybacks pumps the stock price, and executives get bonuses based on stock price performance.

You yearn for substance over superficiality. Not just with regard to your meals, but to the people, work, and the environment that you find yourself in. Ultimately, you want to find your core. You want to root out the imposter, the one who settles, and reveal your true authenticity.

We will ask for proof, such as sign a known Satoshi utxo, let's see if nsa can do what Craig Wright could not do. Without that, tick tock next block™.

Swan has suffered a sequence of serious issues. The customer exfiltration data breach resulting in ongoing phishing attacks and now this latest insider mining infrastructure "rug pull".

To cool some concerns and adhering to the mantra: "Don't trust. Verify." I call on Swan to publish proof of reservers like River did.

On the Southwestern slope of Mount Parnassus is located the Temple of Apollo. It is near the modern town Delphi. Inscribed at the entrance is written "Γνῶθι σεαυτόν" which means, "Know thyself". Socrates made this profound phrase rather well known. Your post reminded me of this, which I visited once while reading through the complete works of Plato. Cheers.

Fascinating. Did you reach out to Wei Dai and John Matonis regarding this question? Their response would be worth much more than a grain of salt. There are forensic linguists out there who may have an opinion on authorship, but that seems weaker than confirmation from the actual correspondents.

I would say that it is happening with fiat everywhere, its just that the rate it is happening varies.

My response to the SN Leaderboard was less dramatic. I basically ignored it. Milking sats is not why I am here. But I do see your points. It shifts focus from Community to a kind of Competition or earnings platform.

I don't know. There is a strong argument to disallow shitcoinery, useless bots and things like hate speech here.

If only there were a form of money that could be transferred securely without fear of intermediaries confiscating it...

Imagine finding yourself in the position where you are a Bitcoin maxi and pro Trump? From his pro Bitcoin position in Nashville, Donald Trump has gone full shitcoiner. Not as a hodler of shitcoins, but as the prospective owner of a 70% pre-mined full on shitcoin. If there was ever a rug-pull in waiting, this is it. It is such a blatant and revolting scam that it makes me want to puke, and the saddest thing is that hard working suckers will lose all their money to this. But, in fairness, DJT once again exhibits his true character.

The "Stack": Bitcoin, Lightning, Nostr, and eCash. The innovations happening with this stack will lead to mass adoption. Killer apps are coming and Facebook, Twitter, Insta will be displaced by decentralized Nostr apps. Content creators will have much more portability with their followers. Which they monetize directly with zaps. This structure will also disrupt the massive Ad industry, orange pill millions, and power the Bitcoin economy.