I was honored and humbled to give the first lecture for the first #Bitcoin Protocol class at @TAMU today. They are using @jimmysong's great book Programming Bitcoin

Thank you @KorokRay for the invitation! Texas A&M is winning, Gig 'em!

Here I am explaining the block size limit https://t.co/pdw6RaAwrC pic.twitter.com/kOLv8M3mRF

— Pierre Rochard (@BitcoinPierre) January 18, 2023

Nice having Pierre lecturing a class

I've ghostwritten 8-12 books about crypto, Bitcoin, and blockchain in the past 5 years, and every time the client asks me if I want to be paid in crypto I have to think of an excuse of why I absolutely don't that doesn't make it sound like my real reason is because I think it's really dumb.

The Porkchop Express said:

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I've ghostwritten 8-12 books about crypto, Bitcoin, and blockchain in the past 5 years, and every time the client asks me if I want to be paid in crypto I have to think of an excuse of why I absolutely don't that doesn't make it sound like my real reason is because I think it's really dumb.

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2 specific questions:
1. How many bitcoin specific books?
2. I wouldn't accept any "crypto" either, but how many times and how long ago did you reject payment in specifically bitcoin, and/or how much? Would love to see the cost/benefit of those decisions.

Raise the ****ing blocksize.

Yeah, I'm not sharing that info.

There have been, but why do you want it raised?

Whilst not a support nor investor in crypto, Bitcoin and the like (understanding there are differences amongst the most commonly used terms), I support further and broader education.

I would hope the class also regular features critics / doubters to present both sides. For instance, as others have mentioned and consistent with the sentiment I have observed on the matter, but financial / wealth advisers have been averse to including as part of an overall portfolio strategy. It would be good to have their in depth perspective included.

If it turns into a fanboy club or marketing outreach for crypto then its not such a good thing. But, I think the class is a good thing overall.

dbl post

La Bamba said:

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JUST IN: 🇺🇸 Texas Government proposes allowing #Bitcoin as an authorized investment for the state.

— Watcher.Guru (@WatcherGuru) January 18, 2023

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but rah rah rah something something vcr and cassette tapes

fka ftc said:

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Whilst not a support nor investor in crypto, Bitcoin and the like (understanding there are differences amongst the most commonly used terms), I support further and broader education.

I would hope the class also regular features critics / doubters to present both sides. For instance, as others have mentioned and consistent with the sentiment I have observed on the matter, but financial / wealth advisers have been averse to including as part of an overall portfolio strategy. It would be good to have their in depth perspective included.

If it turns into a fanboy club or marketing outreach for crypto then its not such a good thing. But, I think the class is a good thing overall.

---

Looking from the outside in, you can never understand it. Standing on the inside looking out you can never explain it.

Aggies are primed to experience bitcoin instead of sitting on the outside and throwing rocks.


Which critics would you advocate to bring in alternate perspectives, and why is their perspective valuable?

Adverse Event said:

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fka ftc said:

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Whilst not a support nor investor in crypto, Bitcoin and the like (understanding there are differences amongst the most commonly used terms), I support further and broader education.

I would hope the class also regular features critics / doubters to present both sides. For instance, as others have mentioned and consistent with the sentiment I have observed on the matter, but financial / wealth advisers have been averse to including as part of an overall portfolio strategy. It would be good to have their in depth perspective included.

If it turns into a fanboy club or marketing outreach for crypto then its not such a good thing. But, I think the class is a good thing overall.

---

Looking from the outside in, you can never understand it. Standing on the inside looking out you can never explain it.

Aggies are primed to experience bitcoin instead of sitting on the outside and throwing rocks.


Which critics would you advocate to bring in alternate perspectives, and why is their perspective valuable?

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I know you have you blinders on, always.

I said exactly who I would bring in and why. Read again.

And the comment bolded is pure trash and why no one takes you seriously. As others have told you repeatedly... grow up.

Its fine to be passionate about your area of interest. To essentially call everyone who is critical of your interests as unintelligent unknowing dumbarses does not help you.

But you keep being... you.

fka ftc said:

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Adverse Event said:

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fka ftc said:

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Whilst not a support nor investor in crypto, Bitcoin and the like (understanding there are differences amongst the most commonly used terms), I support further and broader education.

I would hope the class also regular features critics / doubters to present both sides. For instance, as others have mentioned and consistent with the sentiment I have observed on the matter, but financial / wealth advisers have been averse to including as part of an overall portfolio strategy. It would be good to have their in depth perspective included.

If it turns into a fanboy club or marketing outreach for crypto then its not such a good thing. But, I think the class is a good thing overall.

---

Looking from the outside in, you can never understand it. Standing on the inside looking out you can never explain it.

Aggies are primed to experience bitcoin instead of sitting on the outside and throwing rocks.


Which critics would you advocate to bring in alternate perspectives, and why is their perspective valuable?

---

I know you have you blinders on, always.

I said exactly who I would bring in and why. Read again.

And the comment bolded is pure trash and why no one takes you seriously. As others have told you repeatedly... grow up.

Its fine to be passionate about your area of interest. To essentially call everyone who is critical of your interests as unintelligent unknowing dumbarses does not help you.

But you keep being... you.

---

My statement was inciteful and not insightful?

I reread your statement, I didn't see anyone specific that you'd recommend, just general "financial advisors." If you'd be more specific as to the best critics who's insights continue to hold water it would be appreciative.

Why does the bolded statement cause ire? People who haven't been to aggieland to experience the culture have usually been persuaded by critics that it's a cult. Sounds familiar.


Furthermore, why would a financial advisor, generally a consolidator of other financial advisors advice, be a valuable representative of new technology? Is the assumption that bitcoin is and only ever will be a speculative tool and their opinion therefore valuable in a class designed around understanding bitcoin protocol?

fka ftc said:

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Whilst not a support nor investor in crypto, Bitcoin and the like (understanding there are differences amongst the most commonly used terms), I support further and broader education.

I would hope the class also regular features critics / doubters to present both sides. For instance, as others have mentioned and consistent with the sentiment I have observed on the matter, but financial / wealth advisers have been averse to including as part of an overall portfolio strategy. It would be good to have their in depth perspective included.

If it turns into a fanboy club or marketing outreach for crypto then its not such a good thing. But, I think the class is a good thing overall.

---

You might be missing the point of the class. It's not a semester-long discussion on whether or not you should HODL Bitcoin or how Bitcoin as an investment it fits into a portfolio strategy.

It's more of a programming class. Given what I've seen posted online, it looks to be more about how Bitcoin works at a technical level and development of open source applications wired into the Bitcoin network.

Deluxe said:

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fka ftc said:

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Whilst not a support nor investor in crypto, Bitcoin and the like (understanding there are differences amongst the most commonly used terms), I support further and broader education.

I would hope the class also regular features critics / doubters to present both sides. For instance, as others have mentioned and consistent with the sentiment I have observed on the matter, but financial / wealth advisers have been averse to including as part of an overall portfolio strategy. It would be good to have their in depth perspective included.

If it turns into a fanboy club or marketing outreach for crypto then its not such a good thing. But, I think the class is a good thing overall.

---

You might be missing the point of the class. It's not a semester-long discussion on whether or not you should HODL Bitcoin or how Bitcoin as an investment it fits into a portfolio strategy.

It's more of a programming class. Given what I've seen posted online, it looks to be more about how Bitcoin works at a technical level and development of open source applications wired into the Bitcoin network.

---

Then its a blockchain class which would be different, no? Regardless, if ae supports the class then I suspect it will not be unbiased and fairly present the negatives with the positives. That's just my opinion.

1. request for specific individuals you would recommend, ignored 2x.
2. dismissal begets dismissal.

Adverse Event said:

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1. request for specific individuals you would recommend, ignored 2x.
2. dismissal begets dismissal.

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1. Invite fka ftc. We can discuss fee but it has to be paid in USD, gold, diamonds, ammo or Gentleman Jack.

2. Quit being a snarky arse with your nonsensical replies. I have no requirements to provide you a name. I described the type of person and there are many to choose from. You only want a specific name so you can begin attacking their knowledge with your vastly superior understanding of the blockchain, crypto universe.

fka ftc said:

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Adverse Event said:

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1. request for specific individuals you would recommend, ignored 2x.
2. dismissal begets dismissal.

---

1. Invite fka ftc. We can discuss fee but it has to be paid in USD, gold, diamonds, ammo or Gentleman Jack.

2. Quit being a snarky arse with your nonsensical replies. I have no requirements to provide you a name. I described the type of person and there are many to choose from. You only want a specific name so you can begin attacking their knowledge with your vastly superior understanding of the blockchain, crypto universe.

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Hey, it was a fairly simple ask, who do you find has the best criticisms that would be a valuable influence on a bitcoin protocol class.

Whether we explored the value of their criticisms or not is irrelevant, but why wouldn't we discuss them in detail? Is knowledge seeking and truth verification not valuable on this forum?

ac04 said:

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Adverse Event said:

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1. request for specific individuals you would recommend, ignored 2x.

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not directed at me but i would recommend stanley druckenmiller, ray dalio, paul tudor jones, and bill miller to get started. those guys seem to be pretty good at this whole investing game, i'm sure they have some thoughts on bitcoin.

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again, this is a bitcoin protocol class, not a speculation/investing class, from what I've seen. Why would financial advisors or hedge fund guys be a valuable contributor?

ac04 said:

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Adverse Event said:

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1. request for specific individuals you would recommend, ignored 2x.

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not directed at me but i would recommend stanley druckenmiller, ray dalio, paul tudor jones, and bill miller to get started. those guys seem to be pretty good at this whole investing game, i'm sure they have some thoughts on bitcoin.

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Bill Miller is a MASSIVE BTC bull.


PTJ essentially thinks BTC and crypto is inevitable given the massive amount of young intellectual capital moving into the space. Modest allocation to Crypto.


Stanley D is neutral and just notes it correlates with high beta NASDAQ equities. He is in between Charlie Munger and Bill Miller. Although he thinks blockchain will be a major force in the economy of the future.


Ray Dalio. Believes BTC will be part of the competition between monies.


Surely though TexAgs politics board posters know better cause they all manage billions of $$ in wealth funds (in their heads).

fka ftc said:

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Adverse Event said:

---

1. request for specific individuals you would recommend, ignored 2x.
2. dismissal begets dismissal.

---

1. Invite fka ftc. We can discuss fee but it has to be paid in USD, gold, diamonds, ammo or Gentleman Jack.

2. Quit being a snarky arse with your nonsensical replies. I have no requirements to provide you a name. I described the type of person and there are many to choose from. You only want a specific name so you can begin attacking their knowledge with your vastly superior understanding of the blockchain, crypto universe.

---

here's the book that the course is based off:
Programming Bitcoin by Jimmy Song

Quote:

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Synopsis:
Dive into Bitcoin technology with this hands-on guide from one of the leading teachers on Bitcoin and Bitcoin programming. Author Jimmy Song shows Python programmers and developers how to program a Bitcoin library from scratch. You'll learn how to work with the basics, including the math, blocks, network, and transactions behind this popular cryptocurrency and its blockchain payment system.

By the end of the book, you'll understand how this cryptocurrency works under the hood by coding all the components necessary for a Bitcoin library. Learn how to create transactions, get the data you need from peers, and send transactions over the network. Whether you're exploring Bitcoin applications for your company or considering a new career path, this practical book will get you started.


Parse, validate, and create bitcoin transactions
Learn Script, the smart contract language behind Bitcoin
Do exercises in each chapter to build a Bitcoin library from scratch
Understand how proof-of-work secures the blockchain
Program Bitcoin using Python 3
Understand how simplified payment verification and light wallets work
Work with public-key cryptography and cryptographic primitives

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any other critics besides the speculatory class that would be influential to such a course?

Quote:

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There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for better, for worse, as his portion; that though the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing [bit]corn can come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till. The power which resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried.
Ralph Waldo Emerson on bitcoin

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Bitcorn.

Test.

Both Bill Miller and Druckenmiller say the same thing that most every institutional investor says: BTC tracks higher beta nasdaq names and can be considered an inflation hedge. But its backward, imo, to consider an asset as a hedge against inflation whose price correlates with other assets that are primarily susceptible to inflationary monetary and fiscal policies.

Dalio thinks BTC can compete against other monies/currencies. But how do we measure the difference in risk between monies: interest rates. BTC has no rate of return and no intrinsic value other than price (again correlated to high beta stocks. If you are getting a rate of return on your BTC, well, keyholder beware.


eta: investing in BTC the asset is a much much different animal than investing in a BTC/crypto exchange, fund, or trading platform. The latter is 'the house' and the house always wins

I took a FORTRAN class at A&M in 95 or 96.
I could have taken a COBOL class but that was on west campus and I didnt want to go that far.

Hey Adverse...I posted this on the B&I board but, thought I might catch you over here. What's your take on this article?

https://cointelegraph.com/news/binance-s-swift-banking-partner-set-to-ban-usd-transfers-below-100k

Acct 209/229. Billy's Video. No?

TTUArmy said:

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Hey Adverse...I posted this on the B&I board but, thought I might catch you over here. What's your take on this article?

https://cointelegraph.com/news/binance-s-swift-banking-partner-set-to-ban-usd-transfers-below-100k

---

I believe it's already been updated to a specific bank, iirc signature?, that's restricted access to exchanges under 100k.

But this change aligns with WEF discussions that without "worldwide consensus" (aligned government violence) European sanctions would have little effect on the "crypto" market.

Expect more to come here.

The US govt recently attacked a P2P exchange in Russia. And there's speculation that it could be a starting point to begin attacking others like LocalBitcoins and others that can't or won't perform KYC/AML requirements. Meanwhile KYC/AML requirements create an excellent treasure trove of data for hackers and bad actors.

I think I read that the results of the massive data breach equifax dealt with gave customers $5.67 for giving away all types of consumer financial information.

Priorities. Just proves how disappointing and useless our governments are and how quickly we need to disassociate our value creation away from their sticky little fingers.

When people sit passively on the sidelines and expect to acquire useful data via osmosis, they have to parse through "expert" opinions like the following:

Jamie IS right.

There's nothing magic about 21 million coins. The source to bitcoin is controlled by six people. Who is to say they don't change it to 210 million coins?

What prevents (yet another) fork? Or another coin?

And without utility, scarcity is meaningless. https://t.co/nvMnzu0FhG

— W. Brennan Carley (@Fintech_Brennan) January 20, 2023

Listening and believing (emphasis on BELIEF) to these experts is supposed to give extremely valuable information, but instead provides the opposite, complete misinformation.

This is a masterclass in "its easier to lie to people than convince them they've been lied to."

MSM Experts the last few years:
"We don't know where covid came from, but it's going to kill us all unless you submit to whatever the government tells you to do."
"Election was perfect"
"Meat is bad for the environment, we should eat bugs and synthetic meat to save the planet"
"We have to have a ministry of truth to combat misinformation!"


This isn't even getting into the weeds of redefining EVERY ****ing word (inflation is about prices, not money supply) to align with the goals of WEF and others.

I feel terrible for the folks who don't question everything presented as unquestionably factual, or at least look forward to their influence being removed from society.

Alcohol ads use themes like happiness, prestige, sophistication, success, maturity, athletic ability, creativity, sexual satisfaction to target consumers.

But the misuse of alcohol actually diminishes and ultimately destroys these qualities if you drink enough.

— Nicole Behnam (@NicoleBehnam) January 20, 2023

It's code.

There's no cap.

Explain in detail how the code changes. The answer is there.

vi <source file>

Wrong. Try again.

How are any code changes implemented in bitcoin?

Maybe you should just take the course at tamu.

Even if you're part of the vim crowd, vi will still edit a source file.

Sure. Let's say you wrote a change in the code to add another trillion satoshis.

How does the change get distributed amongst all the nodes to get the update?

Is the assumption that once someone adds a minor change it's automatically distributed to all nodes simultaneously?

Explain.