best snide remark I have ever read on SN (this week, at least)

my family's having trouble paying the bills this month, can you send some sats?

fixed it here: #1442791

if you're less financially constrained than you are curious about whether you could get it done, consider offering somebody money to sign up the phone for you at one of those tiny cellphone stores... with the cheapest option they have. or maybe this strategy combined with Silent.Link

in the US, there are vendors like Mint or Ting (probably several other options) which could also be an option.

here's the slop:

If your goal is privacy (separate line) rather than impersonality/evasion, the clean way is: get a real mobile number that can receive SMS/voice codes, because Telegram sign-up is phone-number based. (

[Telegram][1]

Best practical options (US)Best practical options (US)

1) Prepaid SIM/eSIM from a mainstream carrier or MVNO (most reliable for Telegram)

• This is the most dependable for Telegram verification because it’s a standard mobile number (not “obvious VoIP”).
• In the US, prepaid SIM purchase/activation is often light on ID requirements compared to many countries (though policies vary by seller and payment method). ([TravelTomTom][2])
• Good, widely available prepaid ecosystems: T-Mobile Prepaid (easy BYOP), AT&T Prepaid, and MVNOs like US Mobile / Boost / Google Fi (plan quality varies by network/coverage). ([WIRED][3])
• If your device supports eSIM and you want minimal friction: Mint Mobile eSIM is a common low-cost route. ([Mint Mobile][4])

2) “Burner number” apps (convenient, but sometimes flaky for verification)

• Services like Burner market themselves for Telegram use, but VoIP numbers are more likely to hit “number not accepted/banned” issues over time than a carrier SIM. ([burnerapp.com][5])
• Google Voice is less “anonymous” now in practice: Google states that as of Jan 30, 2026, users requesting a new Voice number may need identity verification before messaging/calls work. ([Google Help][6])

What I’d do for lil’ kev (honest + robust)What I’d do for lil’ kev (honest + robust)

• Buy a cheap prepaid SIM/eSIM dedicated to the device/account, and treat it like an “ops line.”
• After you register Telegram, immediately enable Two-Step Verification (password + recovery email) so the account isn’t hanging entirely on SIM/SMS forever. ([Telegram][7])

If you tell me whether lil’ kev’s device supports eSIM and whether you care more about lowest cost or best coverage in your area, I’ll narrow it to 2–3 specific plan picks.

[1]: https://telegram.org/faq?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Telegram FAQ"

[2]: https://www.traveltomtom.net/destinations/north-america/usa/best-prepaid-usa-sim-cards?utm_source=stacker.news "How To Buy a Prepaid Sim Card in the USA (UPDATE July ..."

[3]: https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-prepaid-phone-plans/?utm_source=stacker.news "7 Best Prepaid Phone Plans (2026)"

[4]: https://www.mintmobile.com/esim/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "eSIM Card Plans for Dual SIM Card Phones"

[5]: https://www.burnerapp.com/blog/burner-number-for-telegram?utm_source=stacker.news "Burner Number for Telegram"

[6]: https://support.google.com/voice/community-guide/405972015/identity-verification-now-required-before-you-can-claim-a-google-voice-number?hl=en&utm_source=stacker.news "Identity verification now required before you can claim a ..."

[7]: https://telegram.org/blog/sessions-and-2-step-verification?utm_source=stacker.news "Active Sessions and Two-Step Verification"

all I know is that it's a pro account. wish I could offer more...

here's part of the system prompt

cool.

so, we have covenants already? awesome!

wow... interesting catch. I didn't notice them in my enthusiasm to share the (alleged haha) findings.

in the future, I'll look for that. thanks :)

(side note: it was chatjippity that used as the robot, but it's an account paid for by some guy in another state that I've never met... who also shares the account with 10 or so other people... obscurity++ (though I'm sure it doesn't do much for genuine security) )

Burning Chrome (reading now... not sure how into it I am)
Count Zero
Johnny Mnemonic (keanu.gif)
Mona Lisa Overdrive
Neuromancer (obviously, a highlight)
Pattern Recognition (up next)
Spook Country
Zero History (up next)

we can show regulators that it's possible to verify age without collecting identity.

this is just extra steps. discord's user ID joined to the verification entry in the kyc db

Mona Lisa Overdrive is the one I finished last. Worth the read, for certain.

I can dig out my ebook and investigate tomorrow.

bur first, sleep :)

I read several Gibson books last year. They're so good. Thanks for reminding me :)

agreed that things are getting weird out there

imagine that the robots have built in firestarters... so they can (when activated correctly) be driven to the most fireprone part of the house, and lit on fire.

I've not looked for a flotilla guide. my experience with the tool has been limited to loading the site, and leaving it in an open tab for like 6 months until you asked about it and I finally closed it :P

can you explain what mid-round means for the rest of us plebs who haven't ever tried to raise for a software company?

lol... for what it's worth, I know the author quite well. he's a good person, quite socially capable, intelligent and a hard worker. to me it looks like he started with a slop outline and then filled in the details... maybe he went to one of those public schools where they don't teach the kids to write good.

I'm glad he's finally crossed the rubicon and started posting here on SN, and I wish it hadn't gone so thoroughly south.

holy f* that's good!

so, up only?

The knee jerk response that users will simply pay greater fees strikes me as naïve.

miners will simply get paid less as their value becomes more and more commodified.

it won't be server farms. I'll be microminers in water heaters, aircon, and all the rest. miners in geosync orbiit.

if they don't like the business, they can leave the difficulty will adjust