The Pleiades is a prominent open star cluster located in the constellation Taurus. Known as the Seven Sisters, it is one of the nearest and most visible star clusters to Earth, making it a notable feature in the night sky. Here’s an overview:

Astronomical Characteristics:

1. Distance: Approximately 444 light-years from Earth.

2. Composition: Contains over 1,000 stars, but only 6–9 are visible to the naked eye under good conditions. These stars are young, hot, and blue.

3. Age: Around 100 million years old, relatively young in astronomical terms.

4. Nebulosity: Surrounded by faint reflection nebulae, caused by interstellar dust reflecting the starlight.

Cultural and Mythological Significance:

• Greek Mythology: In Greek lore, the Pleiades were the seven daughters of the Titan Atlas and the sea-nymph Pleione. They were placed in the sky to escape the hunter Orion.

• Global Significance: The cluster has been noted by numerous ancient cultures, including the Maori, Aztecs, Hindu traditions, and Japanese (where it is known as Subaru, meaning “unite”).

• Seasonal Marker: Often used by ancient civilizations to track agricultural seasons.

Other Uses of the Term:

• Pleiades in Literature: The name is sometimes used to symbolize unity or a group of notable individuals.

• Astronomical Studies: It is a key object of study in astrophysics to understand stellar formation and evolution.

The Pleiades cluster is easily identifiable and widely admired for its beauty and historical significance, making it a favorite among stargazers and astronomers alike.

Summary of Stung with Love: Poems and Fragments by Sappho

Introduction

Sappho, an ancient Greek poet from the island of Lesbos, is renowned for her lyrical poetry, much of which centers on themes of love, desire, and the divine. Often regarded as one of the greatest poets of antiquity, Sappho’s work survives only in fragments, yet her influence on Western literature and art is profound.

This Penguin Classics edition, Stung with Love: Poems and Fragments, introduces readers to Sappho’s world through a collection of her surviving fragments and poems. The foreword by Carol Ann Duffy provides a modern reflection on Sappho’s legacy and her relevance to contemporary audiences.

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Themes in Sappho’s Poetry

1. Love and Desire

Sappho’s work is characterized by an intense focus on love and longing, often addressing the complex emotions tied to human relationships.

• Key Points:
• Sappho writes of both the joy and the pain of love, making her work deeply personal yet universal.
• Love is portrayed as a divine force, sometimes overwhelming and destructive.
• Example Fragment:

“Love shook my soul,
like the wind buffeting oak trees on a mountain.”

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2. Nature and the Divine

Sappho frequently intertwines images of nature with the divine, depicting the gods as integral to the beauty and chaos of life.

• Key Points:
• Aphrodite, the goddess of love, is a central figure in many of her poems.
• Nature is often used metaphorically to represent emotions and desires.
• Example Fragment:

“Come to me now,
release me from my pain,
fulfill all that my heart desires.
Be my ally.”

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3. Femininity and Community

Sappho’s poetry provides a glimpse into the lives of women in ancient Greece, including their relationships and the emotional bonds they shared.

• Key Points:
• Sappho’s work celebrates female beauty and the emotional intimacy of female friendships.
• Her poetry often reflects the communal life of women, particularly in the context of music, dance, and rituals.

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Structure and Style

1. Fragmentary Nature

Much of Sappho’s work survives only in fragments due to the loss of ancient manuscripts over time. These fragments, though incomplete, retain a timeless beauty.

• Example Fragment:

“Someone will remember us
even in another time.”

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2. Lyrical and Musical Qualities

Sappho’s poems were originally composed to be sung, accompanied by the lyre. Her use of meter, especially the Sapphic stanza, reflects her mastery of musicality.

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Sappho’s Legacy

1. Influence on Western Literature

Sappho’s influence is evident in the works of later poets and writers, who have drawn inspiration from her vivid imagery and emotional depth.

2. Modern Interpretations

Contemporary audiences often interpret Sappho’s poetry through the lens of modern feminism and LGBTQ+ identity, celebrating her as a symbol of love and individuality.

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Key Takeaways

• Themes: Love, nature, femininity, and the divine dominate Sappho’s poetry.
• Style: Her lyrical, emotional, and fragmentary style highlights the beauty of incompleteness.
• Legacy: Sappho’s work has inspired writers and readers for centuries, underscoring the universal nature of human emotions.

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Memorable Quotes

“You may forget but
let me tell you this:
someone in some future time
will think of us.”

“Although they are only breath, words
which I command
are immortal.”

“The moon shone full
and the women stood
as though around an altar.”

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Conclusion

Sappho’s Stung with Love: Poems and Fragments captures the essence of her poetic genius, allowing readers to connect with the timeless emotions and themes she explored. Despite the fragmentary nature of her surviving work, her poetry continues to resonate, offering profound insights into love, beauty, and the human experience.

The word serious comes from the Latin word serius, meaning “weighty, important, or grave.” The Latin root conveys a sense of earnestness and significance, often in opposition to lightheartedness or frivolity.

The word was adopted into Old French as serieux, before making its way into Middle English in the 14th century as serious. By that time, it already carried the sense of being “earnestly thoughtful” or “deeply concerned,” which persists in modern usage.

In essence, the term’s lineage highlights its connection to things that demand attention, depth, or gravity—ideas “weighted down” by their importance.

Asking a GameStop worker if they carry a game called “Battletoads” for the Nintendo Entertainment System that was released in 1991

I’m so prolific

I don’t need no praise.
I don’t need no fame.
I don’t need no money.
I do it for the game!

Y’all are just some lames that all shoot the same.

I wield the power of the light and let my spirit shine.
You couldn’t compose a picture if your life was on the line.

You’d probably rather sit at home watching gear videos online.
I’ll leave you crushed in the shadows and your highlights blown out.

I’m the Ricoh Jihadist, I’m the most devout.
Always got the camera on my wrist—
That’s why I’m so prolific.

They are not dedicated enough, working enough, making pictures enough, or care enough. I believe that there are two types of photographers in this world:

1. Those that like cameras
2. Those that like to produce

Seasonal Depression

We’re currently standing on a giant rock orbiting a ball of fire, tilted at a very particular axis. This tilt is everything—it’s why we have seasons, and in winter, it’s why the sun sets so early. The days grow shorter, the nights longer, and for many, this shift brings on a wave of seasonal depression.

Less sun = unhappy people.

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Life is a Miracle

One of the most apparent things I notice, while walking in the streets of Philadelphia during the winter season, is the amount of anger, frustration, and depression that is in the air. People are much more irritable, and you see much more chaos than in the summer. It’s no coincidence, considering the fact that the days feel much shorter with the lack of sunlight in the afternoon and the earlier sunset time.

Even I find it frustrating because it makes me go inside too soon. Whereas in the summer I’ll spend all afternoon until the late evening—around 8 PM—photographing, I now wind up going in around 4–4:30 PM.

This is all tied to the Earth’s axis, tilted just so, governing these cycles of light and dark. In the summer, the sun feels endless, and life flourishes. In winter, the tilt shifts us away, bringing long shadows and early nights. The sun is life, and when it’s gone, we feel it.

Time is Money

Think about it: how we spend our time is one of the most critical aspects of life. Most people barely see the sun in the winter. Picture the average person waking up, getting in the car, heading to the office, and spending the whole day inside. By the time they get home, the sun’s already down. It’s no wonder people get depressed.

The monotony is everywhere. You see the same people outside their offices smoking cigarettes like clockwork every day. Pure dread and misery. It’s terrible, unethical, and just not good for anyone.

Breaking Free

What’s the solution? Time and light are precious, but modern life seems to steal both from us. The grind of fluorescent-lit offices and traffic jams robs us of the sun. Maybe the answer lies in reclaiming time and finding ways to connect with light, even in its scarcity.

Imagine a world where menial tasks didn’t consume our days—robots handling the mundane so we could step outside, feel the sun on our faces, and share stories around the campfire. A world where we weren’t trapped by the tilt of the Earth but embraced its cycles with freedom and awe.

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Seasonal depression is real, but so is the miracle of the Earth’s axis. Recognize the rhythm, find the light, and remember: even in winter, the sun is still there, waiting.

The argument that Bitcoin can “save humanity” revolves around its potential to address systemic issues in economics, governance, and individual sovereignty. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how Bitcoin could achieve this:

1. Fixing the Monetary System

• Sound Money: Bitcoin’s fixed supply of 21 million coins creates a form of money that cannot be debased through inflation. This addresses the root problem of fiat currencies, where governments and central banks print money excessively, eroding purchasing power and disproportionately harming the poor and middle class.

• Long-Term Thinking: With its deflationary nature, Bitcoin incentivizes saving rather than reckless consumption or speculative investments. This shift in mindset could lead to a more sustainable, resource-conscious global economy.

2. Empowering Individuals

• Financial Sovereignty: Bitcoin allows individuals to own their wealth directly, free from reliance on banks, governments, or third parties. In a world where financial censorship and corruption are rampant, this is revolutionary.

• Access for the Unbanked: Over a billion people lack access to traditional banking, but Bitcoin offers financial inclusion to anyone with internet access, enabling participation in the global economy.

• Freedom from Oppression: In authoritarian regimes, Bitcoin serves as a tool for preserving wealth, facilitating free trade, and bypassing censorship. It enables individuals to operate outside systems of control.

3. Promoting Ethical and Transparent Systems

• Decentralization: Bitcoin’s blockchain eliminates the need for trust in centralized institutions that have historically exploited their power. By decentralizing the control of money, Bitcoin creates a fairer, more transparent system.

• Corruption Resistance: Because Bitcoin is immutable, it cannot be manipulated by corrupt governments or institutions. This creates a foundation for ethical governance and economic fairness.

• Reduced Inequality: Fiat systems enrich the wealthy through mechanisms like quantitative easing and low-interest loans unavailable to the average person. Bitcoin levels the playing field by offering equal opportunity to all participants.

4. Encouraging Global Cooperation

• A Borderless Currency: Bitcoin transcends national boundaries, fostering global trade and cooperation. It eliminates the need for complex currency exchanges and reduces friction in cross-border transactions.

• Neutrality: As a politically neutral currency, Bitcoin offers a common ground for global commerce and collaboration, reducing conflicts over monetary dominance.

5. Catalyzing Innovation

• Open-Source Infrastructure: Bitcoin’s open-source nature has sparked innovation in decentralized finance (DeFi), privacy technologies, and digital security. These advancements can reshape industries and empower individuals to take control of their data and financial lives.

• Energy Efficiency Revolution: Bitcoin mining incentivizes the development of renewable energy and the optimization of energy grids. Miners are increasingly tapping into wasted or stranded energy sources, potentially driving a shift toward cleaner energy usage.

6. Encouraging Moral and Philosophical Growth

• Personal Responsibility: Bitcoin teaches individuals to take responsibility for their financial decisions. This aligns with broader ethical principles of self-sovereignty and accountability.

• Erosion of Materialism: Bitcoin’s ethos encourages long-term thinking and values over materialism and instant gratification. By shifting focus from consumerism to preservation, it fosters a more sustainable worldview.

7. Reducing War and Conflict

• Ending Monetary Imperialism: Many conflicts are fueled by the ability of governments to print money to finance wars. Bitcoin’s finite supply prevents nations from funding endless wars through currency debasement.

• Economic Stability: By offering a universal, stable monetary system, Bitcoin could reduce the economic inequalities and power imbalances that often lead to conflict.

8. Preserving Freedom in the Digital Age

• Censorship Resistance: Bitcoin protects against financial censorship, ensuring individuals retain access to their wealth and can transact freely, even in oppressive regimes or under unjust laws.

• Protecting Privacy: Innovations built on Bitcoin, such as the Lightning Network, enhance privacy and empower individuals to operate securely in an increasingly surveillance-heavy world.

9. Creating a Foundation for a New Renaissance

• A New Digital Gold Standard: Bitcoin represents a return to sound money principles that could underpin a new era of innovation, freedom, and prosperity.

• Inspiring Values of Fairness and Justice: Its design promotes transparency, equality, and fairness, values essential for the evolution of a more ethical and harmonious global society.

Conclusion

Bitcoin addresses core issues plaguing humanity: economic inequality, centralized corruption, financial exclusion, and unsustainable practices. By offering a decentralized, incorruptible, and accessible alternative, Bitcoin empowers individuals, fosters global cooperation, and aligns humanity with principles of fairness and sustainability. While it won’t “save” humanity on its own, it provides the foundation for systemic change that could transform our trajectory.

Bitcoin’s ethical nature and its demand for individuals to transcend ego stem from its decentralized design, its philosophical underpinnings, and the personal responsibility it requires. Here’s a breakdown:

How Bitcoin is More Ethical

1. Decentralization

• Bitcoin operates without a central authority, ensuring that no single entity can manipulate the currency for personal or institutional gain. This stands in contrast to fiat systems, which are subject to manipulation by governments, banks, and corporations for political or economic agendas.

• By eliminating the need for trust in centralized institutions, Bitcoin provides a fair playing field for all participants, regardless of their wealth, status, or location.

2. Immutable and Transparent

• Bitcoin transactions are recorded on a public blockchain, making them transparent and immutable. This prevents corruption, fraud, and hidden agendas that can plague traditional financial systems.

• Ethical concerns like currency debasement, hyperinflation, or hidden bailouts are avoided because Bitcoin’s monetary policy is predetermined and unchangeable.

3. Equal Access

• Bitcoin is open to anyone with an internet connection, enabling financial inclusion for billions of unbanked or underbanked people. This fosters global economic participation and reduces dependency on exploitative intermediaries.

• In regions with oppressive governments or unstable fiat currencies, Bitcoin offers a lifeline, protecting individuals’ savings and autonomy.

4. Proof-of-Work Aligns Incentives

• Bitcoin’s Proof-of-Work mechanism ensures that miners (those who secure the network) are rewarded based on computational effort, not privilege or power. This meritocratic system aligns incentives with ethical behavior, as malicious actions are disincentivized by high costs.

How Bitcoin Requires Individuals to Drop Their Ego

1. Radical Personal Responsibility

• Holding Bitcoin requires individuals to take full responsibility for their wealth, such as securing their private keys. Unlike fiat systems where banks manage funds, Bitcoin demands self-sovereignty. This can challenge the ego by forcing individuals to confront their own accountability.

2. Patience Over Instant Gratification

• Bitcoin rewards long-term thinking (“HODLing”) rather than impulsive consumption. This deferral of gratification goes against ego-driven desires for immediate rewards and challenges individuals to adopt a humble, disciplined approach to wealth.

3. Rejection of Centralized Control

• Ego often aligns with power and control, but Bitcoin rejects central authority and control. By participating in a decentralized system, individuals relinquish the illusion of dominance over others and embrace the humility of being one part of a global network.

4. Leveling the Playing Field

• Bitcoin’s ethics challenge the ego by promoting equality. It undermines systems where the privileged gain disproportionately through cronyism or manipulation, requiring participants to accept a merit-based system where no one is “too big to fail.”

5. Detachment from Materialism

• The philosophy behind Bitcoin often aligns with minimalism and the rejection of material excess. Many Bitcoin advocates view it as a tool for building a more sustainable and ethical future, which challenges ego-driven pursuits of wealth, status, and consumerism.

Philosophical Insights

Bitcoin aligns with ethical and self-transcendent principles because it:

• Favors fairness: Everyone operates under the same immutable rules.

• Demands humility: It requires participants to trust the system, not their ability to manipulate it.

• Challenges greed: By promoting saving and long-term vision, Bitcoin undermines ego-driven consumption and materialism.

• Promotes freedom: It gives individuals autonomy while also requiring them to respect the autonomy of others.

Bitcoin ultimately challenges individuals to think beyond themselves, embrace personal accountability, and participate in a system that prioritizes fairness and global inclusivity over ego-driven power structures.

Fiat currency and Bitcoin have contrasting economic dynamics that influence how individuals use them, particularly in terms of spending and saving. Here’s a breakdown:

Fiat Currency Promotes Spending

1. Inflationary Nature

• Fiat currencies, like the US Dollar or Euro, are subject to inflation, meaning their purchasing power decreases over time. Central banks aim for a certain inflation rate (e.g., 2%) to encourage people to spend rather than hoard money, as the value of savings diminishes.

2. Central Bank Policies

• Governments and central banks can print more fiat currency (quantitative easing) and adjust interest rates to stimulate economic activity. This increases the money supply, leading to potential devaluation, incentivizing spending or investment over saving.

3. Debt-Based System

• Fiat currency systems are often built on credit. Lower interest rates make borrowing cheap, encouraging consumption and investment in assets rather than saving cash.

4. Consumer Culture

• Fiat economies are heavily consumer-driven, with advertising and marketing promoting spending as a social norm. Additionally, savings in fiat currency lose real value over time due to inflation, further discouraging long-term cash holding.

Bitcoin Promotes Saving

1. Deflationary Design

• Bitcoin has a fixed supply of 21 million coins, with issuance decreasing over time (halving events). This scarcity makes Bitcoin deflationary, meaning its purchasing power tends to increase as demand grows. People are incentivized to save Bitcoin because it may be worth more in the future.

2. Resistance to Inflation

• Unlike fiat, Bitcoin cannot be printed or manipulated by central banks. Its decentralized and finite nature makes it an attractive store of value, particularly for those seeking to hedge against inflation.

3. Hodling Mentality

• Bitcoin’s culture emphasizes “HODLing” (holding for the long term). This is driven by the belief that Bitcoin’s value will appreciate due to its limited supply and growing adoption. Saving rather than spending becomes a rational strategy.

4. Lack of Depreciation

• While fiat currency loses value over time due to inflation, Bitcoin’s predictable monetary policy and digital scarcity often lead to appreciation. This encourages accumulation and savings over immediate expenditure.

5. Digital Gold

• Bitcoin is often referred to as “digital gold” because it shares characteristics with gold, such as scarcity and a role as a long-term store of value. This perception reinforces its use as a savings mechanism.

Key Differences in Psychology

• Fiat Currency: Spend it now before it loses value. Inflationary pressures and access to credit promote a consumption-oriented mindset.

• Bitcoin: Save it now because it might be worth more later. Its deflationary structure and limited supply encourage a savings-oriented approach.

By understanding these dynamics, it becomes clear why fiat systems fuel immediate economic activity through spending, while Bitcoin aligns more closely with long-term value preservation and saving.

Spiders’ ability to weave webs perfectly from birth is a fascinating example of instinctive behavior, which is hardwired into their genetic makeup. Unlike learned behaviors that animals acquire through experience, instincts are pre-programmed actions that an organism performs without prior training.

Key Factors Behind This Ability:

1. Genetic Programming:

• Spiders inherit the blueprint for web-building behavior through their DNA. This genetic information is passed down from generation to generation, ensuring that even newly hatched spiders know how to build webs.

2. Neurobiological Mechanisms:

• Despite having relatively simple nervous systems, spiders possess specialized neurons that enable them to coordinate the complex movements required to spin webs. These neurons control the silk glands and leg movements in a precise manner.

3. Evolutionary Adaptation:

• Over millions of years, spiders that were better at weaving effective webs had a higher chance of catching prey and surviving. Natural selection favored these individuals, refining their web-building instinct.

4. No Need for Learning:

• Spiders don’t need to observe other spiders or practice to improve their web-weaving skills. The behavior is fully functional from the start, which is crucial for their survival since they need to catch food as soon as possible after hatching.

Types of Webs:

Different spider species produce various types of webs (e.g., orb webs, funnel webs, cobwebs), each uniquely suited to their environment and prey. Each species is genetically programmed to build a specific type of web.

Experiment Evidence:

In controlled experiments, even spiders raised in isolation, without any exposure to others or webs, can spin webs as effectively as those raised in natural conditions. This confirms that web-weaving is an instinctive behavior rather than a learned skill.

In summary, spiders develop the ability to weave webs perfectly from birth due to their genetic programming and evolutionary refinement, ensuring their survival in diverse environments.

The word Karteria (Greek: καρτερία) comes from the ancient Greek root καρτερέω (kartereó), which means to endure, to be steadfast, or to persevere. Here’s a breakdown of its etymology:

1. Root:

• Derived from κάρτος (kartos), meaning strength or power.

• Related to κρατερός (krateros), meaning strong, mighty, or firm.

2. Suffix:

• The suffix -ία is often used in Greek to form abstract nouns, turning the verb kartereó into karteria, meaning the quality or state of perseverance and endurance.

Historical and Philosophical Usage:

• In ancient Greek literature, karteria was often used to describe the virtue of enduring hardship with resilience, a quality highly valued in Stoic and other philosophical traditions.

• It emphasized not only patience but also the inner strength to persist in the face of adversity.

The Philosophy of Bitcoin: Insights from Michael Saylor

Introduction

Michael Saylor, executive chairman of MicroStrategy, shared profound insights into Bitcoin’s potential and the strategies his company employs to capitalize on its growth. From the economics of digital capital to the role of Bitcoin in transforming financial markets, this post dives deep into the conversation.

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Key Milestones in MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin Journey

• August 2020: First Bitcoin purchase of $250 million.
• December 2020: $50 million added.
• November 2024: $2 billion in a single purchase.
• Current Holdings: Over 331,000 Bitcoins, representing 1.5% of the total supply.

“Bitcoin is Manhattan in cyberspace. We just keep buying land because one day, eight billion people will want to live there.”

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Why Bitcoin? The Unique Value Proposition

1. Scarcity and Digital Property

• Bitcoin’s 21 million cap ensures scarcity.
• Similar to Manhattan real estate: finite, desirable, and valuable.

2. Volatility as an Asset

• MicroStrategy embraces Bitcoin’s volatility:
  • High volatility = High reward.
  • Creates opportunities for convertible bonds and options trading.

“Volatility is like RPM in an engine. It powers the system.”

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MicroStrategy’s Strategy: Leveraging Capital

Capital Structure

• Convertible Debt: Low interest, unsecured loans.
• Equity: Leverages market enthusiasm.
• Bonds and Options: Tailored for risk-averse and high-risk investors alike.

Creative Capital Market Transactions

• Using Bitcoin’s premium to fuel company growth.
• Outperforming traditional bonds and even Bitcoin itself through layered capital structures.

“We’ve engineered the most efficient way to turn volatile assets into structured financial products.”

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Bitcoin vs. Traditional Assets

Comparison of Returns (Past 4 Years)

Asset Class	Annual Return Rate
Bonds	-5%
Real Estate	10%
S&P 500	15%
Bitcoin	60%

• Why bonds are toxic:
  Holding cash or bonds drains value due to inflation and low yield. Bitcoin, with its 60% annual growth, vastly outperforms.

“Bitcoin fixes toxic capital by providing a safe, risk-free store of value.”

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Future of Bitcoin: A Long-Term Vision

• Projection: Bitcoin could grow to manage 7% of global wealth.
• Current Value: $1.8 trillion.
• Future Estimate: $240 trillion by 2045.
• Per Coin Value Projection: $13 million.

“In 21 years, every Bitcoin not bought today will be worth $13 million.”

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The Role of Governments and Institutions

Bitcoin as a Strategic Reserve

• Advocated for governments to adopt Bitcoin.
• Proposal: The U.S. could secure 20-30% of the Bitcoin network, positioning itself as a global leader.

Institutional Involvement

• BlackRock and other financial giants entering the space signals mainstream acceptance.
• European and U.S. regulations still hinder widespread adoption, but momentum is growing.

“Bitcoin is digital energy, and like all revolutionary technologies, it is inevitable.”

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Bitcoin Maximalism: A Moral Imperative

Satoshi’s Legacy

• Satoshi Nakamoto’s invention represents the first non-defective currency in human history.
• Referred to as a “spiritual figure”, Satoshi’s contribution to finance is likened to Prometheus bringing fire.

“For 10,000 years, we had broken money. Satoshi gave us clean, digital money.”

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Final Thoughts

Michael Saylor emphasizes that Bitcoin is not merely an asset but a transformative force. It represents economic empowerment, long-term wealth preservation, and freedom from outdated financial systems.

Key Takeaways:

1. Buy Bitcoin. Hold Bitcoin.

• Minimum: 4 years.
• Ideal: Forever.

1. Leverage Bitcoin’s volatility to create innovative financial products.
2. Adopt a long-term perspective:

• Bitcoin’s growth aligns with major technological shifts, and those who embrace it early will benefit most.

“The future belongs to those who see the next frontier and act.”

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Additional Resources

• MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin Model on GitHub
• Must-Reads:
• The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous
• Mastering Bitcoin by Andreas Antonopoulos

100% fully committed to becoming the best artist I can be. No need to explain why I do what I do