Bitcoin journalism is fucked. I started The Rage because I'm tired of investors and advertisers telling me what to do for below minimum wage compensation. What we need are publications willing to let journalists investigate the crap out of the companies, representatives and people enabling the building of surveillance tech behind the scenes. What we get are publications selling out to corporations, startups and politicians writing public relations puff pieces to keep their returns on track. The point of journalism is to hold power to account, not to become its bedfellow. There is no lack of talented, experienced, investigative journalists covering bitcoin. The problem is that they write what the powers that be don't want you to hear – so many are out of a job, dabbling away at the next press release for mainstream media, or doing below-minimum wage contract work to pay the bills. I'm incredibly overwhelmed by all the positive feedback we've been getting for The Rage. In just 8 weeks we've scooped major publications and drove discussions around AML, Samourai and Tornado Cash together with your help. We've even made enough to cover operations with almost 400$ raised, thanks to all the zappers out there. But here's the thing. I didn't come here to write a good piece every once in a while leaving stories untold left and right because I can't afford to focus on investigations full time. I came here to fuck up the financial surveillance complex. That's why The Rage now needs your help. We're trying to raise 0.25BTC so we can contract the best investigative journalists in the Bitcoin space to tell the stories that major publications can't afford to print. If you value your financial freedom, please consider donating via our Geyser fund. We cannot do this without your help. image

Replies (55)

Default avatar
Deleted 1 year ago
Support independent and investigative journalism
L0la L33tz's avatar L0la L33tz
Bitcoin journalism is fucked. I started The Rage because I'm tired of investors and advertisers telling me what to do for below minimum wage compensation. What we need are publications willing to let journalists investigate the crap out of the companies, representatives and people enabling the building of surveillance tech behind the scenes. What we get are publications selling out to corporations, startups and politicians writing public relations puff pieces to keep their returns on track. The point of journalism is to hold power to account, not to become its bedfellow. There is no lack of talented, experienced, investigative journalists covering bitcoin. The problem is that they write what the powers that be don't want you to hear – so many are out of a job, dabbling away at the next press release for mainstream media, or doing below-minimum wage contract work to pay the bills. I'm incredibly overwhelmed by all the positive feedback we've been getting for The Rage. In just 8 weeks we've scooped major publications and drove discussions around AML, Samourai and Tornado Cash together with your help. We've even made enough to cover operations with almost 400$ raised, thanks to all the zappers out there. But here's the thing. I didn't come here to write a good piece every once in a while leaving stories untold left and right because I can't afford to focus on investigations full time. I came here to fuck up the financial surveillance complex. That's why The Rage now needs your help. We're trying to raise 0.25BTC so we can contract the best investigative journalists in the Bitcoin space to tell the stories that major publications can't afford to print. If you value your financial freedom, please consider donating via our Geyser fund. We cannot do this without your help. image
View quoted note →
Make shitcoin magazine obsolete. You have my Axe.
L0la L33tz's avatar L0la L33tz
Bitcoin journalism is fucked. I started The Rage because I'm tired of investors and advertisers telling me what to do for below minimum wage compensation. What we need are publications willing to let journalists investigate the crap out of the companies, representatives and people enabling the building of surveillance tech behind the scenes. What we get are publications selling out to corporations, startups and politicians writing public relations puff pieces to keep their returns on track. The point of journalism is to hold power to account, not to become its bedfellow. There is no lack of talented, experienced, investigative journalists covering bitcoin. The problem is that they write what the powers that be don't want you to hear – so many are out of a job, dabbling away at the next press release for mainstream media, or doing below-minimum wage contract work to pay the bills. I'm incredibly overwhelmed by all the positive feedback we've been getting for The Rage. In just 8 weeks we've scooped major publications and drove discussions around AML, Samourai and Tornado Cash together with your help. We've even made enough to cover operations with almost 400$ raised, thanks to all the zappers out there. But here's the thing. I didn't come here to write a good piece every once in a while leaving stories untold left and right because I can't afford to focus on investigations full time. I came here to fuck up the financial surveillance complex. That's why The Rage now needs your help. We're trying to raise 0.25BTC so we can contract the best investigative journalists in the Bitcoin space to tell the stories that major publications can't afford to print. If you value your financial freedom, please consider donating via our Geyser fund. We cannot do this without your help. image
View quoted note →
image
L0la L33tz's avatar L0la L33tz
Bitcoin journalism is fucked. I started The Rage because I'm tired of investors and advertisers telling me what to do for below minimum wage compensation. What we need are publications willing to let journalists investigate the crap out of the companies, representatives and people enabling the building of surveillance tech behind the scenes. What we get are publications selling out to corporations, startups and politicians writing public relations puff pieces to keep their returns on track. The point of journalism is to hold power to account, not to become its bedfellow. There is no lack of talented, experienced, investigative journalists covering bitcoin. The problem is that they write what the powers that be don't want you to hear – so many are out of a job, dabbling away at the next press release for mainstream media, or doing below-minimum wage contract work to pay the bills. I'm incredibly overwhelmed by all the positive feedback we've been getting for The Rage. In just 8 weeks we've scooped major publications and drove discussions around AML, Samourai and Tornado Cash together with your help. We've even made enough to cover operations with almost 400$ raised, thanks to all the zappers out there. But here's the thing. I didn't come here to write a good piece every once in a while leaving stories untold left and right because I can't afford to focus on investigations full time. I came here to fuck up the financial surveillance complex. That's why The Rage now needs your help. We're trying to raise 0.25BTC so we can contract the best investigative journalists in the Bitcoin space to tell the stories that major publications can't afford to print. If you value your financial freedom, please consider donating via our Geyser fund. We cannot do this without your help. image
View quoted note →
We need platforms that let the people investigate the crap out of journalist as well, because frankly a lot if journalists bring a lot of bias activism to their articles.
Really encouraging to see Bitcoiners taking back their media mindshare back from shitcoiners and other snake oil peddlers. The Rage, TFTC, @dollarparity, Nostr long form blogging, @No Bullshit Bitcoin, Atlas21.com, and many more. Hundreds of quality podcasts, newsletters, video content creators and standalone bloggers. The Nostr Report was great, too, and I have a feeling something will replace it. It does feel like we're witnessing something special. Nostr and Bitcoin provide an incredible suite of tools for shaping more sane, principled and overall better media. I don't think a broader societal change is possible without it.
L0la L33tz's avatar L0la L33tz
Bitcoin journalism is fucked. I started The Rage because I'm tired of investors and advertisers telling me what to do for below minimum wage compensation. What we need are publications willing to let journalists investigate the crap out of the companies, representatives and people enabling the building of surveillance tech behind the scenes. What we get are publications selling out to corporations, startups and politicians writing public relations puff pieces to keep their returns on track. The point of journalism is to hold power to account, not to become its bedfellow. There is no lack of talented, experienced, investigative journalists covering bitcoin. The problem is that they write what the powers that be don't want you to hear – so many are out of a job, dabbling away at the next press release for mainstream media, or doing below-minimum wage contract work to pay the bills. I'm incredibly overwhelmed by all the positive feedback we've been getting for The Rage. In just 8 weeks we've scooped major publications and drove discussions around AML, Samourai and Tornado Cash together with your help. We've even made enough to cover operations with almost 400$ raised, thanks to all the zappers out there. But here's the thing. I didn't come here to write a good piece every once in a while leaving stories untold left and right because I can't afford to focus on investigations full time. I came here to fuck up the financial surveillance complex. That's why The Rage now needs your help. We're trying to raise 0.25BTC so we can contract the best investigative journalists in the Bitcoin space to tell the stories that major publications can't afford to print. If you value your financial freedom, please consider donating via our Geyser fund. We cannot do this without your help. image
View quoted note →
MindMining's avatar
MindMining 1 year ago
You are one of the few with the correct moral values, respect 👊
Dakota 's avatar
Dakota 1 year ago
Provide value and charge a fee for it commensurate with the value?
Thanks for your work! Just a thought, perhaps, to help motivate donations and focus, you could release specific story bounties?? Not ideal, but at least it would be crowdfunded in a public way then
Yep, agreed. A lot of my investigative pieces were thrown out or brushed over while i was at Cointelegraph. Eg: showing how, from A to Z, Bitboy and other crypto influencers, scam people. (i even interviewed with Bitboy for a job to show how the scam works). I pitched BM for a few similar ideas but they went cold. I still managed to expose a few truths—egs i reported on two exchanges' insolvency before they froze withdrawals. One of the funniest was me asking the CEO of Zipmex about his company when I had it on good authority that they were insolvent during the Celsius collapse. He confirmed on the phone to me they were solvent. All is fine bla bla bla. So i published an article with headline: "Zipmex CEO counters rumours of insolvency" bla bla. And had to publish a BREAKING article literally 20 minutes later saying ZIPMEX IS INSOLVENT. My call had forced his hand. I'm now independent but i have money from sponsors. Goes without saying that the sponsorship money distorts my view. The space needs MUCH MUCH better journalism. Kudos to you. I'd like to help where I can with ideas and scoops.
Yep, agreed. A lot of my investigative pieces were thrown out or brushed over while i was at Cointelegraph. Eg: showing how, from A to Z, Bitboy and other crypto influencers, scam people. (i even interviewed with Bitboy for a job to show how the scam works). I pitched BM for a few similar ideas but they went cold. I still managed to expose a few truths—egs i reported on two exchanges' insolvency before they froze withdrawals. One of the funniest was me asking the CEO of Zipmex about his company when I had it on good authority that they were insolvent during the Celsius collapse. He confirmed on the phone to me they were solvent. All is fine bla bla bla. So i published an article with headline: "Zipmex CEO counters rumours of insolvency" bla bla. And had to publish a BREAKING article literally 20 minutes later saying ZIPMEX IS INSOLVENT. My call had forced his hand. I'm now independent but i have money from sponsors. Goes without saying that the sponsorship money distorts my view. The space needs MUCH MUCH better journalism. Kudos to you. I'd like to help where I can with ideas and scoops.
This is a good idea! Especially would be interested in unbiased comparison of coinjoin implementations. Would need very much info sec knowledge though.
Jelle's avatar
Jelle 1 year ago
I used to watch Bitboy back in the day a lot. Until I found that there is actually tech bitcoin news and podcasts. Curious to read how they scam people. Was it through their nft programs?
Congrats on getting started into V4V world! Tip: if you use your Geyser Lightning Address (therage@geyser.fund), all Zaps from Nostr will display on your page to UP your proof of work and community supporters! ❤️
If you're a short seller on scam operations, fund L0laL33tz and The Rage to do the investigative work that isn't captured by the status quo parrots. And the beauty of Nostr + LN is that you can do it as a npub without telling the rest of the world. ;) View quoted note →
One of the major reasons why Hong Kong stopped being the bastion of libertarian free economies, is because they cancelled Apple Daily which did the critical reporting on scam corporations. We need this, more than ever as the status quo creeps into the bitcoin space, or Bitcoin will become WEF'ified, which I'm sure most of you don't want. Bitcoin style CBDC the place to be? I pray not.
You should consider using the Monero CCS. I see your values align perfectly with the pro privacyvanti surveillance stance of the Monero community, and there is at least one community funded projects that covers news. Investigative journalism could perfectly fit into the communities interests.
My cofounder @Dame pointed me in this direction. I just wanted to say that we both relate to this a lot when it comes to working on @We Distribute. There are all kinds of headaches and logistical hurdles to starting a news publication, from finding passionate and qualified writers to hours of dedicated research to editing stories to get them exactly right. When I started this thing, I just thought it would be neat if the Social Web had their own "OMG! Ubuntu" site for that particular space. Over time, though, I've become way more interested in telling human stories, and reporting on some of the uglier, harsher things that come up: infighting, monopolization, ecosystem problems, CSAM, doxxing, you name it. I decided some time ago that I'd stop being a cheerleader, and start reporting the actual news, even if it made people mad. I still get to write cool and fun pieces, but this decision has helped shape the kind of culture our organization is about. We're still in the process of figuring out incorporation and fundraising ourselves. It's really tough! But I just wanted to say that we see you, relate to an lot of what you're doing, and wish you the best on your journey!
Paul's avatar
Paul 1 year ago
Love it! Follow your heart and the bitcoin community has got you covered. Plus, you won’t have a formal boss.
Donated! Make sure to go to their geyser and contribute there
L0la L33tz's avatar L0la L33tz
Bitcoin journalism is fucked. I started The Rage because I'm tired of investors and advertisers telling me what to do for below minimum wage compensation. What we need are publications willing to let journalists investigate the crap out of the companies, representatives and people enabling the building of surveillance tech behind the scenes. What we get are publications selling out to corporations, startups and politicians writing public relations puff pieces to keep their returns on track. The point of journalism is to hold power to account, not to become its bedfellow. There is no lack of talented, experienced, investigative journalists covering bitcoin. The problem is that they write what the powers that be don't want you to hear – so many are out of a job, dabbling away at the next press release for mainstream media, or doing below-minimum wage contract work to pay the bills. I'm incredibly overwhelmed by all the positive feedback we've been getting for The Rage. In just 8 weeks we've scooped major publications and drove discussions around AML, Samourai and Tornado Cash together with your help. We've even made enough to cover operations with almost 400$ raised, thanks to all the zappers out there. But here's the thing. I didn't come here to write a good piece every once in a while leaving stories untold left and right because I can't afford to focus on investigations full time. I came here to fuck up the financial surveillance complex. That's why The Rage now needs your help. We're trying to raise 0.25BTC so we can contract the best investigative journalists in the Bitcoin space to tell the stories that major publications can't afford to print. If you value your financial freedom, please consider donating via our Geyser fund. We cannot do this without your help. image
View quoted note →
Jones's avatar
Jones 1 year ago
is it out yet ? (didn't do any research before posting)
One of the very few newsletters I read every time it arrives. Funding freedom isn't just about developer grants, it's about making sure those in power know, deep down, that we know the truth and that we have alternatives. 👇 I wonder how fast we can fund this ₿0.25? View quoted note →
When someone is in a position of vulnerability, the truth is often the only weapon they have at their disposal. The honest exposition of the realities and the disclosure of injustices can attract the support and trust of those around. It is a way for the disempowered to mobilize the masses and bring about change. Leaders who have inspired social or political movements, for example, have often been able to rise up by revealing hidden truths about oppression and inequity. However, challenges arise once these individuals reach positions of power. History shows us that power can corrupt, and those who have used the truth to rise up often end up betraying those same principles once they achieve their goals. It's easy to get caught up in political games and fall prey to the temptations of power, forgetting the ideals that got you there. A sad but frequent example is that of revolutionaries who, after overthrowing oppressive regimes with the help of truth, set up their own authoritarian regimes, suppressing free speech and hiding uncomfortable truths. This betrayal is not only a betrayal of one's own principles, but also of the trust of those who supported them. For me, the real challenge is not just getting into positions of influence, but maintaining your principles and integrity once you get there. It is a constant struggle to resist the temptations that come with power and stay true to your truth and values. I think it is important to always remember the responsibility we have to the truth. Regardless of our position on the social or political scale, we must strive to maintain integrity and honesty. Only in this way can we build a better and fairer world. I hope these thoughts give you some useful insight in your reflections.
the axiom's avatar
the axiom 1 year ago
not necessarily, no but I am sure the Nostr community would be very interested in supporting that financially since it would be good marketing for the protocol
Big Jae's avatar
Big Jae 1 year ago
Love seeing this because it validates what we’re building at Effem.xyz - our long term vision is to create the tech stack Saas offering that creators implement and build upon. We are starting with music, and have plans to expand into journalism, and more. The Effem team, led by @Thomas , have some big things coming 💪🏻 #buildonbitcoin #growNostr #bitcoin #creatoreconomy
Kendy's avatar
Kendy 1 year ago
wen public bitcoin address to track progress towards target? Understandable if never
Well said! Through all the chaos life points us in the direction of discovery and I want to thank you for your service towards guiding others on their journey like myself. - Thank you! #travelsafe | #grownostr