Articles

The colour of the cat doesn't matter

The colour of the cat doesn't matter

Jerome Powell, Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, stated during a hearing in March that the central bank has no plans to introduce a central bank digital currency (CBDCs) or consider it necessary at present. He said this even though the material Fed staff presents to Congress suggests otherwise - that CBDCs are described as one of the Fed’s key duties.

Bitcoin and the waterwheel

Bitcoin and the waterwheel

Biologist Stuart Kauffman introduced the concept of the “adjacent possible” in evolutionary biology in 1996. A bacterium cannot suddenly transform into a flamingo; rather, it must rely on small exploratory changes (of the “adjacent possible”) if it is ever to become a beautiful pink flying creature. The same principle applies to human societies, all of which exemplify complex systems. It is indeed challenging to transform shivering cave-dwellers into a space travelers without numerous intermediate steps.

Pride comes before a fall

Pride comes before a fall

The Governor of the Swedish Central Bank, Erik Thedéen, recently expressed significant skepticism about Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies as a phenomenon, dismissing Bitcoin as “an instrument for pure speculation.” He also pointed out that if there is no possibility to expose oneself to Bitcoin in the Swedish financial system, it might end up “more in criminal hands.” The European Central Bank is on the same track. In a recent blog post, they amused themselves by comparing Bitcoin ETFs to “the Emperor’s new clothes.”

KYC is the real terror

KYC is the real terror

It has become increasingly evident that our financial system has started undermine our constitutionally guaranteed freedoms and rights. Payment giants like PayPal, Mastercard, and Visa sometimes block the ability to donate money. Individuals, companies, and associations lose bank accounts — or struggle to open new ones. In bank offices, people nowadays risk undergoing something resembling being cross-examined. The regulations are becoming so cumbersome that their mere presence risks tarnishing the banks’ reputation.

Robbing the human race

Robbing the human race

TL;DR: Contemporary regulations not only threaten internet giants with substantial fines if they fail in their censorship efforts, but also undermine truth itself according to one of history’s foremost proponents of liberalism. With so many eager censors at work, can our societies still be said to be liberal?

We are all Josef K

We are all Josef K

TL;DR: We are increasingly treated like Josef K, the protagonist in Franz Kafka’s novel The Trial. Perhaps not by the usual legal system but within the ‘shadow judiciary’ of major corporations’ user agreements and the regulatory framework of the financial sector.

In defence of conspiracy theories

In defence of conspiracy theories

the honorable men whose daggers have stabbed Caesar

WHO's omeletting our future?

WHO's omeletting our future?

The World Health Organization (WHO) is approaching revisions to its constitution. The International Health Regulations (IHR) is considered a legally binding international instrument, applicable to 196 countries.

Globalism is the real pandemic

Globalism is the real pandemic

TL;DR: Contrary to their stated goals, centralized solutions and globalism are poised to increase disaster risk, undermine knowledge production, impede economic growth, and hinder scientific progress. They should also be rejected on ethical grounds.

You will own nothing. And you will be unfree

You will own nothing. And you will be unfree

TL;DR: The contemporary world is displaying an increasing resemblance to the less favorable aspects of feudal historical periods. Individuals are increasingly being bound by obligations to adhere to specified ’terms of use’ and ‘core values’, which undermine our freedoms.

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