Mandalorian

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Mandalorian
amisatoshi@primal.net
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Background in computer science, > 27 years in enterprise IT. Into science fiction/fantasy, art & design, history and economics. Author of THE CRESCENT AND THE CRYPT, BITCOIN IS HALAL & THE ROBOTS ARE ALIVE! 👉 Get the books from www.ashikusmanbooks.com. New All-in-One Bitcoin/Lightning/Nostr Wallet project: www.ijmawallet.com. For book translations, ✉️ bitcoinishalal@proton.me.

Notes (20)

"WE ARE BACK OVER $118K, ALHAMDULILLAH" #bitcoin #uptober image
2025-10-01 23:46:01 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →
What would life look like if the world transitioned to a Bitcoin Standard—not just for individuals, but for families, businesses, and entire nation states? What would it take to get there? And how long would it take? This isn’t just a thought experiment. It’s a roadmap for financial sovereignty, ethical realignment, and technological acceleration. It’s a vision for Earth—and beyond. https://blockchainology.substack.com/p/life-on-a-bitcoin-standard-from-individuals image
2025-09-29 15:39:11 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →
Anti-Riba Sound Money Timechain image
2025-09-29 09:57:08 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →
Do you remember the Fighting Fantasy series of adventure gamebooks by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone? Interactive fantasy adventures where YOU choose the path! The Crescent and the Crypt is the first book of the new Fantasy Fables series where your choices determine the adventure. Navigate through a world of faith, steel, and terrifying shadows. Your first quest begins in the heart of Asfaran, a city of soaring minarets and bustling souqs, where an ancient evil stirs. A darkness not of this world, a powerful Shaytan, prepares to break free, its shadow corrupting the land and twisting hearts. Caught in the heart of the gathering storm, you must embark on a desperate quest to find a forgotten ritual hidden deep within perilous, ancient ruins. In this epic gamebook, YOUR choices forge the path. Will you stand as a beacon of hope or will you become another casualty in the terrifying war against the encroaching night? Find out more on https://www.ashikusmanbooks.com. Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crescent-Crypt-Fantasy-Fables/dp/B0F886YR3V image image
2025-09-29 09:54:21 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →
Are you two friends? #WeAreNotTheSame #BitcoinOnly image
2025-09-28 00:26:37 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →
The rejection of sound money (e.g., Bitcoin or gold-backed systems) that is hard to produce, anti-riba, and halal often stems not from ignorance, but from a complex interplay of psychological, social, and systemic forces. Here's a breakdown of the key psychological and behavioural reasons: Psychological Barriers to Acting on Sound Money Knowledge 1. Cognitive Dissonance - People may know that fiat money is inflationary or that interest (riba) is exploitative, but accepting this truth threatens their comfort, habits, or identity. - To reduce discomfort, they rationalise: “Everyone uses banks,” “It’s just how the world works,” or “Crypto is risky.” 2. Status Quo Bias - Humans are wired to prefer familiar systems—even if flawed—over uncertain alternatives. - Sound money often requires learning new tools (e.g., wallets, self-custody) and breaking with deeply ingrained norms. 3. Short-Termism - Many prioritise immediate convenience over long-term ethical or financial resilience. - Fiat systems offer instant gratification (credit, loans, subsidies), while sound money demands patience and discipline. 4. Learned Helplessness - After repeated exposure to financial injustice (e.g., inflation, debt traps), people may feel powerless to change the system. - They disengage, believing alternatives like halal finance or Bitcoin are “too idealistic” or “not for people like me.” 5. Social Proof and Herd Mentality - If peers, family, or institutions don’t embrace sound money, individuals fear being seen as fringe or foolish. - This is especially strong in cultures where conformity is tied to trust and belonging. Specific to Anti-Riba and Halal Finance 6. Misunderstanding of Riba - Many Muslims conflate riba with “just interest” and assume it’s a technicality, not a moral issue. - Others believe modern banking has “Islamic alternatives,” without scrutinising whether they truly avoid unjust gain. 7. Fear of Isolation or Inconvenience - Opting out of riba-based systems can mean losing access to mortgages, business loans, or mainstream financial tools. - This fear of exclusion—even if temporary—can override ethical convictions. 8. Spiritual Disconnect - When faith is compartmentalised (e.g., prayer without financial ethics), people may not see money choices as part of their deen. - Sound money becomes “optional” rather than a moral imperative. Systemic and Cultural Reinforcement 9. Educational Gaps - Schools and media rarely teach monetary history, ethical finance, or the harms of inflation and debt. - Without this foundation, sound money feels abstract or irrelevant. 10. Institutional Pressure - Governments and banks promote fiat systems aggressively, often labeling alternatives as dangerous or illegal. - This creates fear, confusion, and stigma around halal or decentralised finance. image
2025-09-26 23:45:49 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →
Over 1.4 million signatures in 24 hours. Let's keep this going. Send a strong message to Labour ahead of their conference. We need 2m to beat the second referendum petition. This is one of the most important policy decision to oppose - the downstream implications, are all toxic to freedom, privacy, and personal autonomy. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/730194 image
2025-09-26 21:52:24 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →
'The Robots Are Alive! Adam and Layla Demystify AI' book is a comprehensive guide to Artificial Intelligence (AI). Designed to demystify AI for readers of all ages, it explains fundamental concepts like Machine Learning, Neural Networks, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, and Generative AI. The book also explores the historical roots of AI, including significant contributions from the Islamic Golden Age, and discusses AI's presence in everyday life. Crucially, it addresses ethical considerations from an Islamic perspective, covering topics such as bias, privacy, and the potential impact of AI on jobs and society's future, emphasising the importance of responsible development and human oversight. Coming soon on https://www.ashikusmanbooks.com #AIForKids #AIExplained #LearnAI #AI #ArtificialIntelligence image
2025-09-26 11:21:26 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →
Drawing from 'The Problem with Interest' by Tarek El Diwany and Larry Hannigan’s provocative essay 'I Want the Earth Plus 5%", here’s a clear, definitive explanation of why interest (riba/usury) is not only economically destructive but also ethically and spiritually haram in Islam. 💣 Why Interest (Riba) Is Bad and Haram 1. Divine Prohibition and Moral Clarity - In Islam, riba is explicitly forbidden in the Qur’an—not once, but repeatedly and emphatically. Allah declares war on those who persist in dealing with interest after receiving guidance (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:278–279). - Riba is not just a financial misstep—it’s a moral transgression. It exploits need, commodifies time, and turns money into a tool of oppression rather than exchange. > Tarek El Diwany writes: “Riba is not merely a technical flaw in the financial system. It is a moral wrong that distorts human relationships and undermines justice.” 2. Unjust Enrichment Without Risk or Effort - Interest allows lenders to profit without participating in the risk or productivity of the borrower’s venture. This violates the Islamic principle of risk-sharing and just exchange. - In contrast, Islamic finance promotes profit-and-loss sharing (e.g., mudarabah, musharakah), where gains and losses are mutual and ethical. > Hannigan’s metaphor—“I want the Earth plus 5%”—exposes the absurdity: if every dollar must be repaid with more, eventually all wealth concentrates in the hands of lenders. It’s a mathematical trap. 3. Perpetual Debt and Economic Slavery - Interest-based systems create cycles of debt that are mathematically impossible to escape. Since interest is demanded on money that doesn’t yet exist, borrowers must compete endlessly for new loans just to stay afloat. - This leads to bankruptcies, foreclosures, and social instability—not because of lack of productivity, but because of artificial scarcity created by interest. > El Diwany shows how central banking and fractional reserve lending amplify this injustice, creating inflation and systemic instability. 4. Mathematical Impossibility of Universal Repayment - Hannigan’s essay brilliantly illustrates that if all money is created as debt with interest, there is never enough money in circulation to repay all debts. Someone must default. - This isn’t just unfair—it’s engineered failure. The system demands winners and losers, not based on merit, but on timing and access. 5. Distortion of Human Values and Priorities - Interest incentivises hoarding, speculation, and short-termism (high time preference). It penalises patience, generosity, and community-based economics. - In El Diwany’s analysis, interest corrupts the pricing of time, turning it into a commodity rather than a divine trust. > “The lender is paid for the passage of time, but time belongs to God,” El Diwany reminds us. 6. Global Injustice and Neo-Colonialism - On a macro level, interest traps entire nations in debt dependency. Developing countries pay billions in interest to wealthy nations and institutions, often more than they spend on health or education. - This is modern-day economic colonialism—masked as aid, enforced through IMF and World Bank policies. The Islamic Alternative: Justice, Risk-Sharing, and Real Economy Islamic finance isn’t anti-profit—it’s anti-exploitation. It promotes: - Trade over lending - Partnership over parasitism - Real assets over speculative bubbles Riba is haram not because Islam is anti-modern, but because it is pro-human. It protects dignity, promotes fairness, and aligns economics with ethics. image
2025-09-26 00:36:37 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →
This is why we need swappable biometrics. Beat them at their own game image
2025-09-25 16:59:28 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →
We break down the BIGGEST concepts in AI into simple, fun analogies! Get ready to finally understand Neural Networks, Machine Learning, and more! Coming soon on https://www.ashikusmanbooks.com #AIForKids #Education #LearnAI #AI #ArtificialIntelligence image
2025-09-25 07:50:57 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →
Follow Adam and Layla on their educational adventures as they explore complex topics in fun, accessible ways. Bitcoin is Halal - Meet Adam and Layla, two curious siblings who stumble upon Bitcoin and ask the BIG question: IS BITCOIN HALAL? What follows is a humorous, insightful, and family-friendly journey into the world of digital currency, financial justice, and Islamic principles. Buy on Amazon & Google Play. Download the first 2 chapters for free and printable worksheets. https://www.ashikusmanbooks.com/ image
2025-09-24 11:25:21 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →
Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat is a fascinating experiment in offline, decentralised communication—perfectly aligned with those of us with an interest in financial sovereignty and censorship-resistant tech. It uses Bluetooth mesh networking to send messages (and even Bitcoin transactions) without internet, SIM cards, or centralised servers. Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to get started on an Android device: 📱 Step-by-Step: Using Bitchat on Android 🛠️ What You Need First - Android phone (Android 8.0 or higher recommended) - Bluetooth enabled - Battery charged (mesh networking can be power-intensive) - Nearby users also running Bitchat (for message relaying) - Optional: Bitcoin wallet app (e.g., Sparrow or BlueWallet) for offline transaction signing 🚀 Installation & Setup 1. Download the APK - Visit the official Bitchat site - Scroll to “Download APK v1.1.6” and tap to download - If prompted, allow downloads from unknown sources 2. Install the App - Open the downloaded APK file - Grant permissions (Bluetooth, storage, etc.) - No registration or login required—just launch and go 3. Enable Bluetooth - Make sure Bluetooth is turned on - Bitchat uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to form a mesh network 4. Start Messaging - Open Bitchat and join or create a channel (IRC-style) - Messages will hop across nearby devices until they reach the recipient - You can tag users with @mentions and use password-protected channels 💸 Sending Bitcoin Offline 1. Create a Transaction - Use a wallet app to create and sign a Bitcoin transaction offline - Export the signed transaction as a file or hex string 2. Relay via Bitchat - Paste or attach the signed transaction in a Bitchat message - Nearby users relay it until someone with internet uploads it to the blockchain 🔐 Privacy & Security Features - End-to-end encryption: X25519 + AES-256-GCM - No phone number or account needed - Emergency wipe: Triple-tap the logo to erase all data instantly - Store & forward: Messages are cached and delivered when peers reconnect 🧠 Pro Tips for Creative Use - Use it in remote areas, protests, or travel zones with poor connectivity - Create localised educational channels for Bitcoin or ethical finance image
2025-09-24 11:19:48 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →
A curated list of influential Muslim scientists, inventors, and thinkers from15th century to 21st century). These figures span diverse fields, from mathematics and medicine to engineering and space science, showing how the legacy of early Islamic science continues to evolve: 🌍 Post-Classical to Modern Muslim Scientists & Innovators (15th–21st Century) Ulugh Beg (15th c.) → Built the Samarkand Observatory, created precise astronomical tables, and improved trigonometric calculations. Ali Qushji (15th c.) → Refined astronomical models, challenged Aristotelian physics, and laid groundwork for heliocentric theory. Taqi al-Din (16th c.) → Ottoman polymath who built a sophisticated observatory in Istanbul, invented mechanical clocks, and wrote on optics and steam power. Seyyed Mir Mohammad Baqir Damad (17th c.) → Philosopher and jurist who bridged Avicennian thought with emerging rationalist theology in Safavid Iran. Abdul Qadir al-Jazairi (19th c.) → Algerian scholar and resistance leader who also wrote on astronomy, mathematics, and ethics. Sultan Muhammad al-Fateh (15th c.) → Patron of science and engineering, commissioned advanced siege weaponry and supported scholars in Constantinople. Dr. Abdus Salam (20th c.) → Pakistani theoretical physicist, Nobel Laureate (1979), co-developed electroweak theory, and championed science in the Muslim world. Dr. Ahmed Zewail (20th–21st c.) → Egyptian-American chemist, Nobel Laureate (1999), pioneered femtochemistry — observing chemical reactions in real time. Dr. Ali Moustafa Mosharafa (20th c.) → Egyptian physicist who contributed to quantum theory and relativity, dubbed “the Einstein of the Arab world.” Dr. Sami Angawi (20th–21st c.) → Saudi architect and urban planner, integrated Islamic geometry and environmental science in sustainable design. Dr. Hayat Sindi (21st c.) → Saudi biotechnologist, developed low-cost diagnostic tools for rural healthcare, advocate for women in STEM. Dr. Nergis Mavalvala (21st c.) → Pakistani-American astrophysicist, key contributor to gravitational wave detection (LIGO), and quantum measurement. Dr. Mohamed El-Erian (21st c.) → Economist and strategist, influential in global finance and economic modeling, blending Islamic ethics with macroeconomics. Dr. Omar Yaghi (21st c.) → Jordanian-American chemist, invented metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), revolutionizing clean energy and water harvesting. Dr. Maryam Mirzakhani (21st c.) → Iranian mathematician, first woman (and Muslim) to win the Fields Medal, for work in geometry and dynamical systems. Dr. Adnan Morshed (21st c.) → Bangladeshi-American architect and historian, explores intersections of Islamic urbanism, technology, and modernity. These figures reflect a vibrant continuity of Muslim intellectual and scientific contributions — not just in traditional sciences, but also in emerging fields like quantum physics, biotechnology, and sustainable design. image
2025-09-23 15:35:32 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →
I will not be running #Bitcoin Core v30. image
2025-09-23 09:53:47 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →
🚀 The books website has just been launched! It features the Bitcoin is Halal and the upcoming AI books, as well as a myriad of other books aimed at teens and younger readers. Onwards 💪 Download free chapters and pdf worksheets directly from the website. https://www.ashikusmanbooks.com/ image
2025-09-22 12:24:04 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →
"The Robots Are Alive! Adam and Layla Demystify AI" book is a comprehensive guide to Artificial Intelligence (AI), written by Ashik Usman and Imaan Mohammed. Designed to demystify AI for readers of all ages, it explains fundamental concepts like Machine Learning, Neural Networks, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, and Generative AI. The book also explores the historical roots of AI, including significant contributions from the Islamic Golden Age, and discusses AI's presence in everyday life. Crucially, it addresses ethical considerations from an Islamic perspective, covering topics such as bias, privacy, and the potential impact of AI on jobs and society's future, emphasising the importance of responsible development and human oversight. #IslamicEthics #AIEthics #ArtificialIntelligence image
2025-09-21 22:38:36 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →
How can we navigate a future powered by AI while holding firm to our Islamic values? Truthfulness, Justice, Benefit... these principles are more important than ever. A new guide is coming to help families explore this. #IslamicEthics #AIEthics #FaithAndTech #ArtificialIntelligence image
2025-09-21 21:10:08 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →
When you hear "AI," do you think of scary robot overlords 🤖💥 or helpful assistants 💡? The truth is somewhere in between, and way more interesting! We're separating the hype from reality. Stay tuned! #AIExplained #TechForKids "The Robots Are Alive! Adam and Layla Demystify AI" book is a comprehensive guide to Artificial Intelligence (AI), written by Ashik Usman and Imaan Mohammed. Designed to demystify AI for readers of all ages, it explains fundamental concepts like Machine Learning, Neural Networks, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, and Generative AI. The book also explores the historical roots of AI, including significant contributions from the Islamic Golden Age, and discusses AI's presence in everyday life. Crucially, it addresses ethical considerations from an Islamic perspective, covering topics such as bias, privacy, and the potential impact of AI on jobs and society's future, emphasising the importance of responsible development and human oversight. image
2025-09-20 21:59:32 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →
In Cyberspace, the First Amendment is the source code and #Bitcoin is the Constitution image
2025-09-20 20:37:18 from 1 relay(s) View Thread →