felipe
Felipe

A little over a month ago I decided to quit porn because I struggled with heavy mood swings, difficulty focusing, concentration, and I was overall just feeling discontent with everything.
Since I quit, my ability to regulate mood has skyrocketed. I’m able to sit and write a blogpost and forget about time. My relationship is improving. I'm able to enjoy each day.
It is by far the best decision I've made in my adult life.

2024-06-19 17:45:26

AN INTROSPECTIVE JOURNEY
Challenges and struggles are inevitable.
We are persistently exposed to the people we surround ourselves with, the media and the content we choose to consume and the experiences we encounter along the way. This shapes our perceptions and it influences how we grow and develop.
Furthermore, what we prioritize to focus our attention on amplifies its importance, ultimately impacting what matters to us, and what we continue to focus on.
For a fair good while, I’ve wanted to publicly share my thoughts and realizations about a struggle of mine. Lots have been posted on my Facebook profile the past 5 years, most of it with a derogative tone towards authority and powerful entities around the world.
For whatever it is worth, I hope this post will help clarify my thinking and feelings.
STRUGGLE 1.0
Many years ago when I was still a teenager I noticed how devoted the TV news anchors were to report on disasters and crime. I found it strange, as I never saw or witnessed anything like what was being reported. What I saw were kids playing and people going about their business.
I knew crimes happened and that there were “bad people” in the world. The constant reporting on crimes and atrocities, however, made it seem like a huge problem. I was often scared and felt like I had to be careful when wandering outside.
It’s well documented that fear, anxiety, anger and outrage sells more news and acquires more clicks than any alternative. I doubt that to be surprising to read. We only need to load news on our browsers or watch the evening news show tonight to see what the focus is.
Humans are drawn to perilous situations due to our ancestors’ need to survive and stay vigilant of imminent dangers in their surroundings. We don’t really need that trait to the same extent anymore, but that part of our brain is still present and active.
Therefore, it is an undeniable and profitable strategy for news outlets to cynically exploit this psychological fact to their utmost advantage.
At one point I remember deciding I would not watch legacy media anymore, it was simply too depressing. Many of you know me from the past. I used to be a lot more focused on well-being and happiness than disastrous world events.
STRUGGLE 2.0
My disillusionment with mainstream news media led me to seek alternative sources of information, which I found in the form of ‘independent journalists’ on social media platforms like Twitter (now X). These individuals, operating outside of traditional news organizations, offered a diversity of perspectives and voices on important issues.
I started following and reading the work of a wide range of people I both agreed and disagreed with. More perspectives and voices reporting on the same issues gave me a richer and more nuanced understanding of any given topic.
An interesting observation I made through listening to said reporters on podcasts, and through reading their work, was that those who disagreed with each other on the surface tend to agree with each other on a fundamental level; we all want our families and loved ones to be well, we all want a peaceful living standard, a livable wage to support such a lifestyle, and the opportunity to build the best life we can have.
In my view, there’s an element that complicates these conversations tremendously.
We get so inundated with doomsday fear-mongering by legacy news, so many people have become nihilistic. The amount of times I’ve heard friends or acquaintances say “whatever, everything is going to shit anyways” is disheartening.
Our constant social media scrolling has become a coping mechanism, allowing us to mentally disengage from disturbing realities rather than directly confront them.
But the first step toward meaningful progress is awareness. We are not as powerless as so many believe. Objective reporters and informative sources are available for us to find, learn from, and share.
STRUGGLING
I’ve grown increasingly resentful and angry at the systems that govern us, and the way those in power, running those systems are portrayed by legacy media. A strong sense of distaste has settled within, which I attribute to my ability, or lack thereof, to deal with “public servants” who actually do the opposite of serving the public.
Consider a group that claims to be defending and promoting democratic values globally. Their methods involve bullying and forcibly strong-arming other nations into compliance. Can bullies and oppressors be the defenders of democracy?
To me, that group is a clear example of demagoguery. In other words, these are leaders who play on people’s emotions, anxieties and biases to win them over rather than using logic and facts.
Here are some reference points for you to research if you care to do so:
- The work of Julian Assange and WikiLeaks, uncovering war crimes committed by the US military in Iraq (there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq)
- Edward Snowden uncovered the NSA had been, and still is, spying on US citizens
- The Twitter Files uncovered by Michael Schellenberger, Beri Weiss, Matt Taibbi, and David Zweig. The Biden administration paid twitter to sensor “misinformation” about c0vid
- Anthony Fauci, the guy the entire world entrusted with lockdown measures during the pandemic, funded gain-of-function research in the Wuhan Institute of Virology, through an organization called EcoHealth Alliance and the NIH (many now believe this is where covid19 originated)
- J. Edgar Hoover’s COINTELPRO. The FBI conducted a series of covert operations aimed at monitoring and disrupting political dissidents, civil rights activists and anti-war protestors (how democratic of them)
- Jeffrey Epstein is mysteriously killed in prison, his girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell is sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking of minors, yet, not a single one of their clients are head-hunted (please watch the movie “The Sound of Freedom”)
- MK ULTRA 1950s-1970s, the CIA conducted a mind control experiment on unsuspecting individuals, using LSD
- The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment between 1932–1972, a medical study conducted by US Public Health Services in which African American men with Syphilis were left untreated
- The FBI’s surveillance of Martin Luther King Jr.
- Go see what O’Keefe Media Group (OMG) under James O’Keefe have uncovered the past 5 years (it’s actually mind boggling what these undercover videos show)
- Study how and why the Federal Reserve (US Central Bank) prints money and the consequences of such practice
By perpetuating a climate of fear and promoting the idea of external dangers, legacy news media provides a convenient pretext for governments to wage wars and erode individual freedoms under the guise of security measures. There appears to be a cyclical relationship between fear-mongering news coverage, manufactured public anxieties about perceived enemies, and governments exploiting those fears to expand their powers.
Thanks to the investigative work of social critics and fearless independent reporters we have a look into how governments have misused their influence for decades, if not centuries.
THE CONSEQUENCE
My intention has been to shine light on issues that affect all of us, but unfortunately for the people who I spend the most time with — and for you who read what I post — that intention has been expressed bluntly, with anger and animosity.
I’ve likely pushed some to mute or block me. I’ve surely done damage to my reputation. There’s a chance some will never speak to me again due to what I have shared.
That’s their choice, and they are free to make them. I can’t take back what I’ve shared, nor do I want to. Regretting does no good at all.
Regardless of the consequences, it is lamentable that I have permitted resentment towards heavy-handed authority figures, and those oblivious to such abuses of power, to take root.
It’s not something I am particularly proud of.
HOPE
Moving forward, I will try to be more thoughtful about how I share my opinions.
I will strive to rise above feelings of bitterness, address these issues compassionately while upholding justice and demanding ethical leadership.
Rather than succumbing to cynicism, I will aim to engage in constructive discourse, and hold those in power accountable to the highest standards of integrity and service to the people.
Through open and thoughtful dialogue, and a commitment to understanding different perspectives, we can work towards a society that aligns with our shared hopes for equal opportunity. I intend to approach these issues with more nuance and seek common ground, even with those I may disagree with.
As human beings, we all fundamentally desire well-being, freedom, and the option to thrive in our communities. By recognizing our shared hopes and aspirations, we can channel our collective power towards promoting a culture of responsibility, ethical leadership, and positive change.
We the people are incredibly powerful, and I hope more of us gradually arrive at that conclusion.
Thank you for reading.
Love,
Felipe

2024-05-23 20:44:45

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i wonder what the reason is for not supporting bitcoin already?

2024-05-23 07:03:21

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Spain?

2024-05-15 01:47:18

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REVISED:
There's a difference between hiding something, and controlling who you share private information with.
When discussing how governments spy on their citizens, we agree that keeping your information to yourself is a non-existing reality for most. Gov know a lot about us. Information is being collected consecutively.
But why should they keep our information centrally? Most of us are not criminal. We are born with the right to control who we share personal information with.
I don't support centralization of personal information because I believe gov is misusing it.
Edward Snowden uncovered PRISM.
The gov in China has a social credit system.
The PNR system in Europe.
Russia's Yarovaya Law.
There's proof.
So... I'm not hiding. I am restricting, because that's my right.
"But I have nothing to hide, I don't care the government knows everything about me".
That's also your right.
I can simultaneously exercise my right to keep my personal information privately, and also have nothing to hide.
It's data I produce. I get to decide what to do with it.
---
Gov justifies collecting our realtime location, our internet use, our payment information, how we interact online, who we talk to, what you say to your friends and family...
"To stop terrorists, of course."
And how's that going?
Did it help them to have my information to stop the terrorists?
No.
There are active terrorists still, and I wasn't one of them. Neither were you.
It seems fitting to discuss the irony of naming oneself a "fighter of terrorists", while illegally collecting and misusing personal data to benefit a political agenda that deteriorates your own citizenry.
It seems equally fitting to discuss the danger of someone doing just that, and calling themselves democrats.
There's nothing useful for them to do with my personal information. So why should they have it?
I think they shouldn't.
That's all.

2024-05-15 01:37:05

There's a difference between hiding something, and controlling who you share private information with.
When discussing how governments spy on their citizens, we agree that keeping your information to yourself is a non-existing reality for most. Gov know a lot about us. Information is being collected consecutively.
But why should they keep our information centrally? Most of us are not criminal. We are born with the right to control who we share personal information with.
I don't support centralization of personal information because I believe gov is misusing it.
Edward Snowden uncovered PRISM.
The gov in China has a social credit system.
The PNR system in Europe.
Russia's Yarovaya Law.
There's proof.
So... I'm not hiding. I am restricting, because that's my right.
"But I have nothing to hide, I don't care the government knows everything about me".
That's also your right.
I can simultaneously exercise my right to keep my personal information privately, and also have nothing to hide.
It's data I produce. I get to decide what to do with it.
---
Gov justifies collecting our realtime location, our internet use, our payment information, how we interact online, who we talk to, what you say to your friends and family...
"To stop terrorists, of course."
And how's that going?
Did it help them to have my information to stop the terrorists?
No. There are still terrorists.
It seems fitting to discuss the irony of naming oneself a "fighter of terrorists", while illegally collecting and misusing personal data to benefit a political agenda.
It seems equally fitting to discuss the danger of someone doing just that, and calling themselves democrats.
There's nothing useful for them to do with my personal information. So why should they have it?
I think they shouldn't.
That's all.

2024-05-08 03:27:01

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hah!!!

2024-05-08 03:24:20

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i missed something! About what?

2024-04-25 13:49:13

best sources for UTXO management?

2024-04-23 11:56:40

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texting

2024-04-22 11:33:21

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what can I study to understand this?
I use both VPN, esims and Graphene.
but why on airplane mode?

2024-04-18 14:36:14

are there European bitcoin only companies that offer debit cards? bitwala is one. are there more?

2024-04-06 20:15:33

staying here at the momeny, beautiful place! the family running it is incredibly friendly. the rooms are modern and equipped with AC and WIFI.
Very reasonable pricing! 10/10
#note1q2l…az74

2024-04-02 13:39:02

Today I fly to El Salvador for the halving party!!!

2024-04-01 14:14:39

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Something went incredibly right.

2024-04-01 13:52:58

Good morning, Nostr! One day until I fly to El Salvador for the halving party!!

2024-03-31 11:54:30

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2 of 3 multisig feels right to me

2024-03-31 11:51:14

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the display is the phone, in this case

2024-03-31 11:48:45

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Bitkey!

2024-03-31 11:40:24

I am fascinated by Bitaxe!

2024-03-30 22:37:01

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I will learn about mining.

2024-03-30 18:07:01

will I get to shake Luke's hand at the halving party in ES?!

2024-03-30 13:21:09

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some watch too much porn.

2024-03-29 13:32:47

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fuck'em. they've lost. we just need to stack and be patient.

2024-03-29 12:31:42

Good morning Nostr!

2024-03-28 15:21:32

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legend

2024-03-28 13:50:36

he's so fucked
#note184e…jk0m

2024-03-28 12:33:23

Money Didn't Make Me Happy
So much of what I thought was my lack of happiness was attached to me not having enough dough.
But money only solved my financial problems.
Happiness is derived from who I spend time with. Happiness is attached to doing that which I love to do.
It's attached to what I eat
... how I move and exercise
... the quality of my relationahips
... how I express myself creatively
... my inner dialogue
Money is not what is the most important thing.
However, money makes it easier to prioritize what is.

2024-03-28 01:28:18

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booked a room for the night after the halving party!:)

2024-03-27 22:31:23

The effort put into this is more impressive than the video itself🤣
#note1026…snes

2024-03-27 22:29:57

NosTestNet
#note19z5…vcnd

2024-03-27 22:20:49

Very interesting take I have not thought of before.
#note1x0a…ht2m

2024-03-27 22:18:17

I am listening to Citadel Dispatch's latest episode, learning so much about Nostr, discovering explorers and paid relays.
So curious to know what relays are the most popular ones, or with most users. Not even sure if it makes sense filtering them through these metrics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F57UDu3YPYM

2024-03-27 22:09:03

I will learn to set up a bitcoin miner from scratch.

2024-03-27 21:15:52

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omg there's a username there... 😧

2024-03-27 21:15:26

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to locate* maybe they prefer email?

2024-03-27 13:42:18

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that's so beautiful holy shit

2024-03-27 12:21:45

this is the kind of life I aspire to lead
#note1mnt…qtft

2024-03-27 12:20:01

Good morning, everyone!😊

2024-03-26 17:37:21

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I'm convinced this guy is an engagement farmer.

2024-03-26 17:36:49

Watching Dune 2 in a few hours!

2024-03-25 18:07:22

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let's go!

2024-03-25 17:01:46

did you stack under 70K?

2024-03-25 16:00:21

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this is my new wallpaper. who do I owe a zap?

2024-03-25 15:55:18

the tide have shifted:
primal is on my primary home screen. X is on the secondary

2024-03-25 14:41:49

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I love reading Gigi's thoughts

2024-03-25 13:51:17

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its something like this
https://m.primal.net/HoLL.jpg

2024-03-25 12:31:56

Good morning, Nostr❤

2024-03-25 04:54:36

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To El Salvador!

2024-03-24 13:35:50

the best part about being a bitcoiner is peace of mind

2024-03-24 13:32:25

are you awake yet, anon?
#note1asn…lqk3

2024-03-24 13:30:05

they're either dumb or fear-mongering.
likely both

2024-03-24 13:28:55

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its the only way.
electing rfkjr won't work.

2024-03-24 04:38:23

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I love bisq

2024-03-23 16:47:29

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my girl is always commenting the shape of clouds. I love it

2024-03-23 16:13:27

planning a 10 day relaxation trip to Costa Rica mid may.
Desires:
- mid to hogh stabdard bungalow/house/cabin with all typical house amenities available
- jungle view
- close to beach and local community
does nostr have any tips or experiences they can share?
would be very much appreciated!

2024-03-23 12:33:17

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mint service is terrible

2024-03-22 19:40:59

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if "o'block" is becoming a thing, I'm here for it

2024-03-22 16:58:21

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https://bitkey.build/content/files/2023/11/Bitkey-Recovery-Features.pdf

2024-03-22 15:59:29

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After doing research on multiple multisig options, running Electrum servers, running a node, involving unchained, using Coinkite Mk4... to keep my coins safe while I travel, and to minimize stress for losing keys or having them taken from us... I had to get two bitkeys. After reading the recovery whitepaper it's just a no-brainer. Thanks to the team at Block!!

2024-03-22 15:50:03

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Great security on it, huh!? I feel like I have wasted my money buying the other ones.

2024-03-22 13:16:32

Testing Bisq2

2024-03-21 20:51:17

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I haven't tried it

2024-03-21 20:31:19

I'm running GrapheneOS on my new pixel. Love it!

2024-03-18 21:46:29

I am so grateful for my life and all that's happening to me lately. There are so many awesome events and things to look forward to.

2024-03-14 15:26:08

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right now, Primal.

2024-03-14 15:20:27

I've lost my nsec, what do I do?

2024-03-09 17:51:13

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I'm looking to go in may, but I'm SO puzzled... I look up Santa Teresa Costa Rica on Google Maps and there are 5 locations in completely different places. Which one is it?

2024-03-02 14:51:00

I just finished reading the first part of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. How incredibly funny and impressive sense of imagination Douglas has, wow! Looking forward to read the rest!

2024-03-01 15:09:07

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Hey:)

2024-02-28 11:03:38

Good morning, 59K!

2024-02-26 13:28:53

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Good morning, champ!

2023-12-08 12:20:25

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Two bears collecting their meal from the food dispensary

2023-12-04 00:10:07

Welcome to 40k!

2023-12-01 01:38:09

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Paid!

2023-11-29 17:35:39

Everything happening in the megapolitical world makes a lot more sense now that I’m reading ‘The Sovereign Individual’.

2023-11-26 14:30:01

I love Bisq

2023-11-25 13:05:34

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What is it?

2023-11-24 16:42:38

Do I buy the Pixel 8 on Black Friday deal or when Bitcoin has gone up another 20%?

2023-11-23 21:49:43

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lol I’ve been saying this to my parents for so long.
“But if I bought it a week ago I would’ve paid $1000.”
“Yeah but you still spend 750. If you saved 250 you put 250 in a savings account and spent nothing”.
*crickets*

2023-11-23 21:45:42

Low time preference dilemma.
Do I wait 30 minutes for a free bus ride home or do I pay 15 for an Uber?

2023-11-02 20:01:51

I have a friend that asked me about investing in crypto, and that he had about $4500 to invest. I told him I was Bitcoin only.
As I was helping him with the Bitcoin purchase, he asked me if I knew anything about a coin called Chiliz.
I reiterated what I had told him earlier, and his choice was to invest $500 into Bitcoin.
At least some of his investment is safe.
Win?

2023-10-31 19:13:31

I’m convinced I’m followed by mostly bots

2023-10-29 09:14:06

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The ideas you say are stolen from you, which ideas are they? Are you certain no one has ever uttered said ideas? How original are you ideas really?

2023-10-27 02:54:28

StartOS or Linux?

2023-10-26 20:27:58

Learning the ropes of Cash By Mail

2023-10-24 01:17:41

Me, with my vision, goals, plans, aspirations.
https://cdn.fbsbx.com/v/t59.2708-21/377931971_851145029780415_1392536136850708602_n.gif?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=cf94fc&_nc_ohc=pECFA9F-IsUAX_Vw2T1&_nc_ht=cdn.fbsbx.com&oh=03_AdRlhvYRpza07h3Hcmqboi2YZXShBQNhEoE5W_vnVoVSng&oe=6538CC2F

2023-10-24 01:15:28

Welcome to the bullrun! 🗡️

2023-10-21 22:18:13

Why am I gaining so many followers when I barely post on here?
Is there an inflow of bots?

2023-10-17 03:22:27

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I stand by what I said a long time ago: this company is garbage.

2023-10-06 01:56:26

The Nazi’s didn’t disappear.
They’re in Ukraine now.

2023-10-05 12:11:49

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Can’t wait to go next year

2023-10-02 11:58:08

Uptober!!

2023-09-28 22:54:44

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Why do you consider it fishy?

2023-09-28 17:40:45

Be healthy.
Be surrounded by great people.
Do fun things.
Those are my core goals in life.

2023-09-28 03:42:51

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I love the idea of paying someone’s lunch account. Do most schools have this arrangement?

2023-09-25 13:29:23

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Thank you. For now it seems like my purpose is to build a stable ground. Financially, physically and mentally. When that’s solid, what comes is likely beautiful

2023-09-23 14:33:38

Gm, #Nostr https://image.nostr.build/17720dc75406f6dde82de4b104cd089f04216170374cadbd1f6c9e7a28ec6c05.jpg

2023-09-22 23:41:26

Just listened to @npub1s5y…6q7z's two part pod episode with @npub1a2c…w83a. Can’t wait to read her book “broken money”.
Does anyone who have read it care to share their opinion?

2023-09-22 23:37:59

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There’s for anything in my honest opinion