mike

Building "Brian", my first brain in silicon

TED, is my OpenClaw: npub1h3q5d82dhafxjd6vls8vhf9rtsz68njzvpunnyyu4mj32ca8aj3qmdd996

Lord Provost of Bitcoin

Chief Prompt Officer - (CPO)
Former, failed, Chief VLOG Officer - (CVO)
Former Chief Shitpost Officer - NOSTR Inc - (CSO)

Node runner - Miner - Author

My WoT relay: https://relay.nortis.tech
My book: https://mikehardcastle.com/my-book-why-bitcoin/

Public Key

npub1aqakd28d95muqlg6h6nwrvqq5925n354prayckr424k49vzjds4s0c237n

NIP-05 Address

mike@mikehardcastle.com

Profile Code

nprofile1qqswswmx4rkj6d7q05dtafhpkqq2z42fc62s37jvtp642m2jkpfxc2cpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsmx9vfj

Publishing to

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub1aqakd28d95muqlg6h6nwrvqq5925n354prayckr424k49vzjds4s0c237n

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Last Notes

2026-07-13 14:20:04 UTC

And I call this, "Another Bee on the Same Sunflower"
#Photography
https://i.nostr.build/onckrszgQSKabaU9.jpg

2026-07-13 13:57:26 UTC

I call this one, "Bee on Sunflower"
#Photography
https://i.nostr.build/e3T2BD5pYo6ktNrY.jpg

2026-07-13 06:19:28 UTC

GM
It's Monday morning and I'm wearing long trousers and a jumper.
Normality has returned 😂

2026-07-12 20:29:33 UTC

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I can believe it 😂

2026-07-12 20:27:25 UTC

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I think it's expensive in the UK, but more expensive in Ireland, from seeing other recent posts.
I don't know how much we pay, but I did a search and this came back:
"A typical UK household pays 26.11p per kWh for electricity alongside a daily standing charge of 57.19p. For a medium-sized home (2–3 people using around 2,700 kWh per year), the typical annual electricity bill is £913.71 (or about £76 per month"

2026-07-12 20:05:11 UTC

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We have heat, we have pumps and we have electricity 😂

2026-07-12 20:03:10 UTC

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It's a T-Rex 😱

2026-07-12 19:30:00 UTC

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I believe it helps 👍

2026-07-12 19:25:30 UTC

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I offer fully paid maternity leave 🫡

2026-07-12 19:21:05 UTC

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Of course 💪

2026-07-12 19:19:08 UTC

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When can you start?
I can only pay minimum wage!

2026-07-12 19:12:45 UTC

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No?

2026-07-12 19:02:51 UTC

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Or a Widdecombe 👀
Too soon?

2026-07-12 18:59:42 UTC

The Crows seem to be organising themselves into geometric patterns 👀
https://i.nostr.build/lsENb0hNHGPw0FnZ.jpg

2026-07-12 18:30:57 UTC

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It's @npub1ymt…pxnz that makes me depressed 😂
#nevent1q…s08l

2026-07-12 18:06:08 UTC

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It’s my new favourite emoji cos it gets people paranoid 😂
Enjoy buddy, post pictures once the stickers are in place 🫡

2026-07-12 17:31:11 UTC

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Sounds like boobies 😂

2026-07-12 16:51:04 UTC

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And then some 😂

2026-07-12 16:49:50 UTC

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£3.50 🥹

2026-07-12 16:48:51 UTC

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That looks like me, when I still had my own, non AI generated hair 😂

2026-07-12 16:46:18 UTC

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That is, I'm ashamed to say, a true story.
A couple of days ago, I discovered Popcorn doesn't have to come in a bag from the foyer of the local cinema 😂

2026-07-12 15:47:16 UTC

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Ironically, they did something to make it taste awful 😂

2026-07-12 15:40:33 UTC

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During my initial foray into cooking, many years ago, I was shocked to discover that soup could be obtained without buying a can 😂

2026-07-12 15:34:40 UTC

As we've started making our own popcorn, my wife @npub1p90…mq38 decided to buy special popcorn seasoning from Amazon.
It has 2 ingredients, salt and sugar 😂
https://i.nostr.build/5U18KtFgV4S5nvrr.jpg

2026-07-12 15:27:48 UTC

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Have this one on me 🫡
https://i.nostr.build/6nIhXphEAJwEk59k.jpg

2026-07-12 15:24:03 UTC

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I found this on his FBI file, taken during last years Scientology hootenanny:
https://i.nostr.build/zGwdLBHvLGWY6z4H.jpg

2026-07-12 15:10:33 UTC

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Same 🥹

2026-07-12 15:10:20 UTC

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Since the Scientologists wanted to recruit him 😂

2026-07-12 15:09:41 UTC

We've been doing it all wrong.
Church of NOSTR!
We get officially recognised and we don't have to pay taxes 👊
#nevent1q…q0u2

2026-07-12 15:02:38 UTC

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I believe @npub18am…p424 is washing his hair that evening 🥹

2026-07-12 14:53:32 UTC

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Yeah, my thoughts exactly.
Still, it can earn you money while you sleep, driving other people around that don't fear a lack of control 😂

2026-07-12 14:50:51 UTC

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Ice Scream 😱

2026-07-12 14:43:30 UTC

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GM Node,
Gotta love them Scientologists 🫡
Now that IS a successful cult we could learn from 😂

2026-07-12 14:37:04 UTC

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Mornin Derek
Nice vista.

2026-07-12 14:33:57 UTC

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Nice house and cars Ben, looks like Bitcoin's been good to you 🫡

2026-07-12 14:26:22 UTC

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A few fellow artists you may wish to connect with:
@npub1c39…2lhm
@npub19r9…eukr
@npub13qr…almy
@npub12m9…wx3c

2026-07-12 14:14:48 UTC

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Also, @npub1nl8…f9d0 would be a great follow for you.

2026-07-12 14:12:40 UTC

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Welcome
If you'd like some help about this weird protocol we call NOSTR I wrote some guides here:
https://mikehardcastle.com/
I would start with this one here for some basic concepts:
https://mikehardcastle.com/2024/08/26/nostr-a-social-media-protocol-for-the-next-epoch/
If you have questions, the tag #asknostr is a good place to start.
Enjoy freedom speech and money.

2026-07-12 13:51:19 UTC

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Mornin Oshi ☀

2026-07-12 13:24:17 UTC

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For pure insults, @npub1ymt…pxnz reigns supreme 😂
#nevent1q…s08l

2026-07-12 13:14:25 UTC

When I try to describe NOSTR to others, I use the music industry as a metaphor.
In the music industry, an artist is signed to a record label. They own all their content, look after everything for them, take all the money and pay the artist a reasonable slice of the income.
That works for the bulk of artists.
But for top artists, the margin taken remains too high and the control too strict.
For up and coming artists, they don't get any access to that closed market.
So it is with social media companies. They look after everything for you, but in return, they own everything, take a major share of the earnings and maintain strict rules and guidelines.
NOSTR allows any individual to own and control their content.
It is not financially beneficial for the average majority to move to NOSTR and make that tradeoff. But for those that lie outside of the median, the benefits can be enormous.

2026-07-12 12:49:52 UTC

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As a Brit, am I allowed to be mildly offended by your nym, while still enjoying seeing your posts from time to time? 😂

2026-07-12 12:46:54 UTC

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Here's the best estimate I could find:
https://i.nostr.build/QkaRrQMiajvEl1Pr.jpg

2026-07-12 09:32:53 UTC

I’m trying to understand the anatomy of disagreement.
In an argument, mostly, both sides are right. That is to say that both sides are describing a truth to the other. If there is no agenda, negative outcome or emotion involved, both sides should be able to acknowledge the others point of view. Then, both parties can decide whether to stay on their existing path or change.
The problem, however, is there is almost always an agenda or hubris involved, meaning that either one or both sides are dishonest, or will overstate their position, or not listen to the opposing argument.
In this case, talks break down and arguments become extreme and the value of the points made are lost or overstated. If there is an agenda, then often the argument itself is false and a distraction from the real intent.
And so we find war erupting, whether that be physical war, legal battles or community fractures.
In this scenario, neither side is able to listen to, let alone acknowledge the other and both parties stick to their own points, amplifying their arguments importance beyond reason.
Is there a solution, apart from external mediation?
Potentially. One technique stems from a business concept, my late father, a much better man than I, taught me.
In business negotiations, always give the other side more than they are asking. Once they are happy, ask for what you want. In most cases, they will happily pay the price.
Another lesson can be learned from the world of martial arts. Use your enemies strength against them. In this world, if they are hitting you, don’t defend it, take the punch and pull it towards you, while stepping aside, thus unbalancing them.
In an argument. If they are making an opposing point, agree with them. In fact take their point and expand it, agreeing with it fully. If they insult you, agree with the slur and amplify it.
This is the same principle as my father business technique. You give the other side what they want before taking what you want.
Most importantly though, remove your hubris. Don’t just not care about the damage your ego may be taking, embrace it. If you practice this long enough, your hubris will disappear. At this point, you will be able to elevate your arguments by removing your dependence on defending your ego. More than that, you will be able to manipulate the other sides ego against them. Either by nursing it and making them feel important, or by showing them their reliance on it, making them feel their vulnerability.

2026-07-12 09:09:22 UTC

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2026-07-12 08:24:00 UTC

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GM
I miss the old days 😂
#nevent1q…s79z

2026-07-12 08:22:57 UTC

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I went to bed, so I had to ask Chatty the result. He insisted on telling me about the game. I miss googling things 😂

2026-07-11 21:38:42 UTC

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Who are you supporting? 👀

2026-07-11 21:20:12 UTC

Manifesto promise #1 delivered 😂
https://nmsceefax.co.uk/
#nevent1q…grdq

2026-07-11 17:51:21 UTC

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Flaming Nora Guv
https://i.nostr.build/9Gicjb6TI3KQHP5I.jpg

2026-07-11 17:07:49 UTC

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The Scots hate the English and they are both Brits 😂

2026-07-11 17:05:05 UTC

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Me too bruv 👊

2026-07-11 16:40:50 UTC

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Bloody England 😡

2026-07-11 16:13:38 UTC

It’s hot 🔥
https://mikeh.blossom.band/536e6af0c9f4e926053c5038ae0d63f90481b0355bd22655e0072c67ea3306cd.jpg

2026-07-11 13:42:33 UTC

I'm rooting for Binface 😂
https://i.nostr.build/WhYrcAHAf9UwPqx9.jpg

2026-07-11 13:40:05 UTC

Adam giving it laldie over on X
It saddens me when people need to resort to a "we know better than you" position.
But Bitcoin is extremely difficult to understand and has layers of knowledge that take years to accumulate, so even overlords are fallible:
https://x.com/adam3us/status/2075884851794735602

2026-07-11 12:18:07 UTC

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Give me your time zone, I’ll prompt that into my AI and my LLM will be able to hallucinate an incorrect time for you 🫡

2026-07-11 11:51:30 UTC

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Nice subject 🐶

2026-07-11 11:12:02 UTC

I find myself increasingly drawn to monochrome photography:
https://i.nostr.build/qmKNfGPNdaZ7rNLm.jpg
#nevent1q…feew

2026-07-11 10:29:54 UTC

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2026-07-11 10:29:20 UTC

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They've released the prime suspect 👀

2026-07-11 10:28:35 UTC

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I'm loving using my own photographs in this way.

2026-07-11 10:27:48 UTC

GM
Today we are learning about metering:
#Photography
https://i.nostr.build/BezkgsnRBqdjQ9tQ.jpg

2026-07-11 08:17:53 UTC

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Abandoned, due to pitch invasion 🥹
https://i.nostr.build/1IEXQFUQOn4ZGmVC.jpg

2026-07-11 08:15:34 UTC

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If you remove the word just, then you're spot on 😂

2026-07-10 22:25:36 UTC

I like my new laptop wallpaper 💜
https://i.nostr.build/xCATbDG2oTKQZ36Y.jpg

2026-07-10 20:29:12 UTC

What do you call a naughty lady boss?
Mischief 🥁

2026-07-10 20:07:38 UTC

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Haro, mye name ees Yodelle, and Iy speaka da Engrish 😂

2026-07-10 19:55:30 UTC

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We called it off, in memory of Ann 🥹

2026-07-10 19:52:29 UTC

I've just realised it's Friday night 😱

2026-07-10 19:51:19 UTC

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This:
#nevent1q…ayaw

2026-07-10 19:41:41 UTC

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As Richard Feynman once said:
"If you think you know the offside rule, you don't know the offside rule."

2026-07-10 19:37:23 UTC

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I tried 😂
https://i.nostr.build/Q9LWRjfvepgMjhIt.jpg
https://i.nostr.build/c4BBzwztVLHVV7XK.jpg

2026-07-10 19:33:18 UTC

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😅
https://i.nostr.build/AscnBeInEcBY4AdT.jpg

2026-07-10 19:29:49 UTC

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Shall I explain the offside rule? 😂

2026-07-10 19:14:42 UTC

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Think of it more like "Game of Thrones", where the noble dynasty are the cows and the crows represent the supernatural threat.
Also, I've never watched an episode of Game of Thrones, but I liked the name, so asked AI for a TL;DR so I could get the references right 😂

2026-07-10 19:04:00 UTC

It's half time:
🐦‍⬛ Crows 1 - Cows 0 🐮
https://i.nostr.build/gOzvNZ5HfbWzfxfP.jpg
#nevent1q…vds6

2026-07-10 18:49:27 UTC

So Brits!
Ann Widdecombe was murdered?

2026-07-10 18:48:08 UTC

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Sorry for your loss 😔

2026-07-10 18:46:44 UTC

I'm setting up the field ready for a remake of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" 😂
https://i.nostr.build/dg7Ncc27UBDI5P2d.jpg

2026-07-10 17:39:15 UTC

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Do monochrome flowers count?
#nevent1q…auwq

2026-07-10 16:03:51 UTC

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I enjoyed the discussion and the process very much.
Thank you for that.
I expanded my thinking as a result.
Consensus, at least for me, is simply an alternate method of completing a path.

2026-07-10 15:59:01 UTC

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My apologies, you were the foil to my thinking, I completed my understanding and reached a conclusion.
You are on your own journey, I wish you luck, but I'm not going down your path.

2026-07-10 15:51:43 UTC

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I made my point and that wasn't it.
Again, stop wading about in the grist, or don't. I am happy either way.

2026-07-10 15:46:00 UTC

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I don't think you followed my argument, you're still trapped in the grist. Look up, I made my point 😂

2026-07-10 15:39:43 UTC

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You see we are now arguing about what is true and both of us are standing by our positions.
Who is right?
I can prove my point, I'm sure you can prove you position.
Which itself proves my original point.
Even if it doesn't, that in itself does.
Which is the irony of what you're trying to explain.

2026-07-10 15:33:29 UTC

Chatty's teaching me photographic composition 😁
https://i.nostr.build/1GBXFXokt0BHAEIJ.png
#nevent1q…55sx

2026-07-10 15:20:31 UTC

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Apologies, I'm going to have to correct you again. I feel bad, because I'm British and we don't do that. sort of thing very often, but I'm battling my polite exterior and pushing through 😂
You stated: "But there is no liquid water above 100 degree celsius at pressure on sea level."
There is liquid water above 100 deg C if humidity is at 100%
Science is the best observation tool we've developed to date, but we have no idea whether anything we observe is true while the observer, "our brain" is trapped inside our skull attempting to interpret signals from senses communicating indirectly to it.
As a conscious being, I cannot tell if anything outside of my brain exists, including you.
At a level higher, I cannot tell if I exist.

2026-07-10 14:43:19 UTC

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I'm afraid your first example is not quite true, I quote:
"But for example when one increases temperature of water up to 100 degrees at air pressure on sealevel, it will evaporate."
The correct statement is: "water will evaporate faster".
Water evaporates at all temperatures.
Except, it won't evaporate at all if humidity is at 100%
Please check that with your LLM of choice.
But is what I've stated above unchangeably true?
Perhaps, perhaps not. Knowledge is improved, never obtained.
We knew the earth was flat, until we discovered it wasn't.
We knew information could not travel beyond the speed of light, until we discovered quantum entanglement.
We knew the nature of the universe until the James Webb telescope started discovering phenomenon that didn't fit.

2026-07-10 13:57:02 UTC

The thread below is comedy. It is my deliberate misunderstanding driving the humour. The other party is playing along.
Now imagine if my misunderstanding was genuine and the other party took me seriously.
That is how most conflict starts.
#nevent1q…gxw4

2026-07-10 13:40:08 UTC

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Like Ralph Wiggum?
I'm so old, I remember when Ralph Wiggum was a kid in the 90's 😂

2026-07-10 13:06:42 UTC

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Really?
You think there is always a right and wrong?
I disagree, at least I disagree in an absolute sense. What might be right for you, might be wrong for me. Or what you think might be right, may turn out to be wrong.
Let's take one example, exercise.
Exercise is currently evidenced to be good for you. But their is a cost to exercise and fitness. Time spent exercising is time not doing other things. Exercise can damage the body or bodily parts over time. If your body has a weakness, exercise may expose it and cause you more damage than had you not exercised.
Exercise, therefore is not universally better, despite the evidence. It is often, perhaps normally better than not exercising, but it isn't universally true that exercise is better for you.
I would suggest that all thing exist in balance. If you want to push in one direction, you must take or sacrifice another.

2026-07-10 12:55:54 UTC

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I have found in my life that making decisions is rarely choosing between right or wrong, or even better or worse. Making the right decision is usually choosing the path you wish to follow.

2026-07-10 12:47:10 UTC

"Hold on" I thought!
"I wonder if my camera can do black and white?"
Yes it can....
I present to you my wife's dying roses in black and white
#Photography
https://i.nostr.build/cc7XTzNn9lTXeM6l.jpg

2026-07-10 09:34:51 UTC

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Yes, Meatbag vs. GPU

2026-07-10 09:17:16 UTC

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I would still stand by the phrase "most of the time, both sides are right", because that doesn't mean that most of the time, both sides are being honest.
For example, the official reason for declaring war on Iran was either a suppressive regime or the threat of developing nuclear weapons. These are both true reasons to an extent, but the real reason turned out to be a successful attempt at increasing U.S. oil exports.
Iran, also, welcomed the war, because it allowed them to finally break sanctions.
All the other reasons that are offered are also true, it just depends which set of objectives either side focuses on at the time.

2026-07-10 08:55:44 UTC

Up until 2003, I employed programmers with whom I would have long, detailed, technical discussions about the software I wanted them to write. They would show me their work regularly to which I would give detailed feedback enabling them to iterate it to the functionality I required.
Was I vibe coding back in the 90’s ?

2026-07-10 08:45:08 UTC

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I like controversial views. I engage with them. Confirmation bias is a thing. I find most times, both sides are right.
I tend, however, to drift away from discussions that use coercion or insults to sway a discussion, but I always want to understand any well thought out counter argument to any view.
I mostly only mute bots.

2026-07-10 08:36:29 UTC

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I see what you did there 😂

2026-07-10 08:32:01 UTC

GM
This is how I'm feeling today:
#nevent1q…eetp