In the social media age, every voice must battle for relevance and engagement. Silence is mistaken for ignorance and not having an opinion on any issue is akin to not caring. In the battle to be right, we lose our understanding and compassion. The situation between Israel and its neighbors is complex, rooted in decades of historical and geopolitical entanglements. Similarly, Australia’s upcoming referendum regarding an Indigenous “Voice” to parliament and constitutional recognition is founded upon centuries of perceived mistreatment of Australia’s indigenous people and long running social and economic issues within those communities. It's quite easy to be pulled into the whirlpool of vehement opinions and heated debates, yet what is achieved in that? More often than not, it leads to deeper division. There’s wisdom in not allowing oneself to be swept away by popular discourse. Not every issue or discussion warrants your energy and time. Notice when you’re drawn into matters that drain your spirit or draw you into negativity. Seek to understand rather than to be understood. If you do choose to engage or voice your opinions, do so with kindness and respect. Don’t be a cause of further division in a world quick to judge and slow to understand.

Man's imagination is nothing more than the ability to rearrange the things he has observed in reality.

The Old Testament provides the fundamental myths and archetypes that have shaped our collective psyche and culture (at least in the West). Much of our media draws on these stories as inspiration and many of our laws and morals are based on the sense of justice established in the Old Testament. Some examples: 1. Creation – In Genesis, God sets humans apart from nature, giving them "dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle" (Genesis 1:26). This idea has dramatically influenced our relationship with nature, which many see as something to be controlled or conquered. Contrast this with Eastern philosophy, which largely sees humans as one with nature. 2. Moral Dualism - The story of Adam and Eve establishes the concept of good and evil. Most of us have an inherent sense of guilt and sinfulness that we are constantly having to fight against. 3. Covenant - God's covenants with Noah and Abraham establish the idea of a mutual promise between us and God. This places significance on trust and promises in any relationship, in particular with respect to our relationship with God. 4. Prophets – Prophets such as Isaiah and Jeremiah establish themselves as lone voices speaking out against corruption and calling for a return to divine ways. Many of us value an individual's conscience (i.e. sense of right and wrong) and the courage to stand against societal wrongs. 5. The Hero - Moses, David, and Samson are all great examples of the hero archetype – they display leadership and courage in their struggles against adversity. The idea of a “chosen one” who is destined for great things is a common narrative in many stories. 6. Fall and redemption – There is a recurring pattern of storylines of the Israelites turning away from God, facing the consequences, and then ultimately finding redemption through God. Our culture thrives on the “redemption” storyline - the sense that even when things are at their worst, there is always the ability to make good.

@ZEUS Is there anywhere I can find instructions to generate a LUD-16 invoice via Zeus?

Finally took the plunge after hearing about nostr some time ago. Keen to connect with some of the bitcoiners that have been scrubbed from twitter over the years!

@npub1teawtzxh6y02cnp9jphxm2q8u6xxfx85nguwg6ftuksgjctvavvqnsgq5u Verifying My Public Key: "dewymcgill"