Welcome to #nostr @Ian Carroll

Finally got around to upgrading the battery backup for my station. Now, even a blackout can't stop this train. The zaps continue. Long live my cheap hardware.

Pursuing more days like today. Up early to read and study, with hot coffee as I watched the sunrise with my dog. A full day at the battle-station as I near wrapping up some fourth-quarter web analytics for various teams and clients. My team had a great reaction to a few prototype concepts. I also led a client through launching two A/B tests as they stepped through that practice for the first time. Now, home and cleaned up from #JiuJitsu class earlier this evening, some weights beforehand, and all followed by half an hour in the hot sauna - I can't help but feel incredibly grateful for #nostr and #bitcoin and the values reflected in both. I plan to write more here on Nostr eventually - as I've now exited from every other platform, there is just something special about this space. But for now: Today was a good day. #uxdesign #userexperience #grownostr #valueforvalue #webdesign #ecommerce

Simplifying my digital life has brought me a lot of happiness. I plan to write about it more. But in short; quality over quantity, less engagement and interaction. More privacy. More security. Never perfect, but aware and in control of the device. The user is always at risk of being used.

Just as I am.

Finding #bitcoin and #nostr might be the two most jarring experiences. A total change in how I view and interact with the world. Milestones that have forever changed who I am.

An ode to humanity; In an era where information is both abundant and obscure, the average citizen faces a daunting challenge: to engage meaningfully with the systems that govern our lives, both in the public sphere of politics and the private realm of digital privacy. This essay argues for an imperative shift towards active participation, highlighting not only the reasons behind widespread disengagement but also the critical need for each reader to take personal responsibility in this battle for autonomy and democracy. Governmental processes and digital privacy are labyrinthine by nature. Laws are written in legalese, governmental deliberations occur behind closed doors, and privacy policies are swathed in technical jargon. This complexity is not by accident; it's a system designed, perhaps inadvertently, to discourage involvement. When individuals feel too uninformed or overwhelmed to engage, they cede power to those who understand or can afford to understand these systems. The result is a democracy that operates without the full input of its citizens and a digital world where privacy is a commodity often sold without our true consent. Education systems have failed to keep pace with the demands of modern citizenship. While we teach history and math, we neglect to instill a deep understanding of how government works or the significance of one's digital footprint. This educational neglect breeds a populace ill-equipped for the complexities of civic life or secure digital existence. We must advocate for curricula that include civic literacy and digital security, teaching not just the what but the how and why of civic and digital engagement. The psychological toll of feeling powerless or that one's actions are inconsequential cannot be overstated. Learned helplessness, where individuals believe they cannot effect change, is rampant. Every time we click "I agree" to terms we don't understand or skip voting because "it won't make a difference," we reinforce this sense of futility. But the truth is, every action, every vote, every informed decision about data sharing, collectively shapes our society and our digital landscape. The structures in place often make participation an uphill battle. Voting systems can be inaccessible, political lobbying by corporations can overshadow the individual voice, and privacy controls can be deliberately hidden or complex. These are not just inconveniences; they are obstructions to democracy and privacy, designed in a way that benefits those who want to maintain control without public oversight. What happens when we disengage? Governmental abuse goes unchecked, policies are made in echo chambers rather than for the public good, and our personal data becomes currency for companies whose interests do not align with ours. Inaction in government leads to a decay of democratic principles, while in the digital sphere, it leads to a surveillance state where privacy is a myth. The erosion of these foundations threatens not just individual freedoms but the very fabric of our society. You, the reader, are at a crossroads. The choice to engage or not is yours, but the implications of that choice extend far beyond personal convenience. Here’s what you can do: Educate yourself. Ignorance is no longer an excuse. Dive into resources that explain government functions, read privacy policies, and learn about data security. Knowledge is empowerment. Participate actively. This means more than just voting. Attend town halls, participate in local governance, join advocacy groups, and speak out about privacy rights. Your voice in these arenas is not just a right; it's a necessity. Demand transparency. Whether from your government or tech companies, demand clear, understandable information. Support policies and practices that favor transparency and accountability. Cultivate digital hygiene. Practice good privacy habits. Use privacy-focused tools, understand the implications of what you share online, and advocate for better privacy defaults in the technology you use. Engage in the community. Democracy and privacy are community efforts. Educate others, engage in dialogues about these topics, and work together to push for systemic changes. Hold entities accountable. Use your consumer power, your vote, and your platform to hold both government and companies accountable. Support those who fight for your interests and oppose those who exploit or ignore you. The time for passive existence is past. We are not too stupid to understand or act; we have merely been led to believe we are. By taking these steps, you reclaim your agency, contributing to a society where democracy thrives and privacy is protected. The responsibility lies with each of us to not only (try, at least, to) understand but to act. The health of our democracy and the sanctity of our personal lives depend on it. Let this be a clarion call to rise above the inertia, to engage with the systems that shape our world, and to ensure they serve us, not the other way around. Our actions today are the legacy we leave for tomorrow.

I'll cherish the days of being the only bitcoiner in the room. Bittersweet memories.

It's not your data that is being exploited, it's you. It's not money that is being debased, its our livelihoods. It's not that our education is failing us, it's our own lack of conviction. Turn off the device. Tune out the noise. Live free and question everything.

Running GrapheneOS Nullius In Verba

What do you prefer to use #nostr for? Long form? Short? Reading? Writing? Socializing? Photography? Philosophy? The wealth of knowledge back led by a proof of work protocol is what I’m here for. Freedom over my own algorithm and the ability to choose how the platform works for me. This place rules. 🤘🏼

GM #nostr I’ve got a full day ahead of planning our routine site usabity audit. Then later tonight I’ll be preparing the 🦃 and an apple pie to go on the smoker. Both are family favorites here. Best to you and yours this holiday!

Grateful for purpose, community, and vision. 🤙🏼

Trying some new #nostr clients this week. 🤙🏼 I’m glad to see more options hitting mobile these days.

Another relatively lengthy absence from #nostr here. The good news is we made a successful launch with our new Shopify store front. While this in one way is a milestone, it is really a gateway into the next phase of continuous user research and response. Weather is cooling off here, so I intend to work on the #Ford soon. We bought an '87 last year, beautiful little truck in Eddie Baur brown. Cooling and suspension were the first priorities (as well as properly ensuring brakes - the real first priority after running). Anyways, I've been reading "My Life on the Plains" by General George Custer. These types of historical American digs always bring me interest. Never doubt a good corner, a fine chair and lamp. I hope to post a summary of my reading later on. Any good communities out there for #americanhistory or #historicalliterature?

Should I take my local photography business to a #bitcoin only model?

#Jiujitsu class tonight, followed by an hour+ of open mat. I find so much of a joyful response from my body and mind when I engage in the community of friends at my local gym. The challenge of training, refining each other in the heat of competition, with a mutual decision that win or lose, it does not matter. Only that we are improving. #bjj seems to channel me into a “journey” over “destination” mindset. Day by day. Brick by brick. Better.

Good morning #nostr Returned to work after a week in the Roosevelt National Forest. I highly recommend mountain landscapes and solitude to help slow down. We stay in small towns just above Boulder quite a bit. This week in #UX I’ve been focused on some #UGC (User Generated Content) for our e-comm site. It’s awesome to see a more sovereign creator based participation have so much influence. I’ve been pondering on how a return for quality content in a way becomes its own social contract or credit score. Direct reflections of our effort and hard work. Does this help gamify life? I feel that the age of individual creators is upon us, confirmed also by the surge of movement to #nostr in light of recent events. I love to see it. Gone are the times of middlemen profiting from individuals being their products. ☕️ cheers

Woke up with this quote from Troy in my head. "Myrmidons! My brothers of the sword! I would rather fight beside you than any army of thousands! Let no man forget how menacing we are, we are lions! Do you know what's waiting beyond that beach? Immortality! Take it! It's yours!" Getting after it today.

Nothing like a long weekend to continue my journey into self-hosting data and computing. It’s necessary that this becomes a commonplace idea of every free individual, to be concerned with privacy and seemingly free digital services. We are not products.