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We just got a pretty major grant from a thing called Octant and the Ethereum Foundation to produce a documentary about the DOJβ€˜s case against Roman Storm. Probably gonna get lynched for this, but I think we need to talk. While we are grateful for every donation, over the past ~1.5 years we received noticably less donations in Bitcoin than we received in ETH, Zcash and Monero over the course of just a few months - while our main audience *are* bitcoiners. The only way I can explain this to myself is that there seems to be an issue with the general mentality of trying to keep your bitcoin to yourself, which results in a significant lack of support for others - and it makes me really sad. The way the Ethereum community is supporting the tornado cash developers is nothing short of extraordinary. Compare that to our support of Samourai, who collected a mere few 100k, while Roman Storm raised millions to fund his case. At the same time we end up wondering why most people in bitcoin are retarded orange tie maxis that treat BTC like just another stonk, and why its use as a tool for the people falls more and more behind in the global narrative. Its time we start taking better care of each other in this space, and I hope that next time one of us is criminally indicted, we support them with all that we have.

Replies (35)

Congrats on the grant. It's ok to work shitcoin related stuff, but I don't think you need to combine it with attempted bitcoin shaming. Every time someone tries to say that there isn't enough bitcoin spending going on, it's like, who are you even talking to? This is nostr. As far as I can tell, we're at the forefront of V4V with bitcoin. To anyone who is actually on the bitcoin standard, all they hear is "you have money, I don't, you should give me yours". Just like atlas shrugged. Maybe you need to stop hanging out with the "orange tie suits" so much. I don't see bitcoin through this lens at all. I also never really hated shitcoins, they're doing their thing, that's great, maybe something good comes out of it, maybe not. Twitter is the only reason everyone 'went to war' over this stuff in the first place afaict, just influencoors obeying the algos to popularize being toxic to each other. Again, congrats. I enjoy your takes for the most part and think it's cool that there are real journalists covering this stuff.
This is surprising to me. My experience with bitcoiners is that they tend be very generous, with the notable exception of MSTR and penny stock promoters. With your ETH donations, were they all from wealthy holders or the Ethereum Foundation? That would speak less to the culture within Ethereum community itself and more to the fact that those with the biggest pre-mined bags feared the Tornado Cash trial would become an existential threat to Ethereum's existence.
It could also be that the Samurai guys were kinda dicks. They also (apparently) have a large personal stash. If someone has over 100 or 1000 bitcoin it makes donating more difficult. I agree that bitcoiners can do a lot better in this area.
I think most actual Bitcoiners already know the government is shit. Bitcoiners understand what values them. We pay for our own values. Bitcoiners would more likely pay to see documentaries in person after it’s already made. At Bitcoin conferences around the world. I would! My company would most likely sponsor the showing. I would love to see a production of the samurai story.
I respectfully disagree with this take. I've done more than 400 livestreams over two years all focused on growing Bitcoin adoption and helping Bitcoiners protect their sats The entire journey has been funded by the community. We have no sponsors and have no plans of changing that. I believe that maintaining one's voice - without influence of sponsors - is most important in this space. There are a ton of INCREDIBLY generous and supportive Bitcoiners out there. The community has allowed me to wake up every day and talk about Bitcoin. Could it be better? Of course. I feel like I should have 100,000 viewers on the livestreams every morning - strictly because of how exciting and important Bitcoin is. God bless all the people who have and continue to support the channel. You know who you are - and I would not be here without you 🧑
L0la L33tz's avatar L0la L33tz
We just got a pretty major grant from a thing called Octant and the Ethereum Foundation to produce a documentary about the DOJβ€˜s case against Roman Storm. Probably gonna get lynched for this, but I think we need to talk. While we are grateful for every donation, over the past ~1.5 years we received noticably less donations in Bitcoin than we received in ETH, Zcash and Monero over the course of just a few months - while our main audience *are* bitcoiners. The only way I can explain this to myself is that there seems to be an issue with the general mentality of trying to keep your bitcoin to yourself, which results in a significant lack of support for others - and it makes me really sad. The way the Ethereum community is supporting the tornado cash developers is nothing short of extraordinary. Compare that to our support of Samourai, who collected a mere few 100k, while Roman Storm raised millions to fund his case. At the same time we end up wondering why most people in bitcoin are retarded orange tie maxis that treat BTC like just another stonk, and why its use as a tool for the people falls more and more behind in the global narrative. Its time we start taking better care of each other in this space, and I hope that next time one of us is criminally indicted, we support them with all that we have.
View quoted note →
while you seem to be doing important and quality work, it's a bit hard to expect people to send money as support when it's not clear what or who the money funds. You want donations, you need to display transparency, governance and accountability. ETH foundation giving you shitcoins is on the same level as some billionnaire giving to a charity money that evaded tax and will be used to deduce yet more tax --> an absurd cynical move, stealing from the mass to appear generous and morally righteous
The amount of negative comments in this thread with GFY and blaming for "shitcoining" is a sign of deep brain rot. It's one thing to caution newbies about buying alts. It's a completely different thing to believe that only btc is money, while denying reality of alts being used as money, including in donations/investments in our own social layer - journalists, lobbyists, human rights activists. The former is wise, the later is idiotic.
What bothers me about this note is that I see so many high-profile Nostr users calling out to the community for help so many times. But when I take their npubs and put them into @npub1sx9r...6g8m, it seems like they never zap. Lola, as much as I respect your work, you've received 4 million zaps but haven't sent even 1,000. I make a shitty podcast, and I have an average income. And I zapped way more than you did with a low-key profile here on Nostr. If @ODELL or @Marty Bent called me for zaps, I'd usually zap! I will do as you do, not as you say! Don't get me wrong! I admire your work. But don't you think that other things on Nostr are valuable, too? I hate to be the snitch, but... It's our job! Remember: Don't trust, verify!
L0la L33tz / L0laL33tz
L0la L33tz / L0laL33tz on Nostr (npub1mznwe...6mak)
Independent Journalist. Bylines in too many places.
Wokecoiners. Some bitcoiners like to echo "stay humble" and love to front the prophecy about the Bitcoin economy and the Bitcoin standart but that's just virtue signaling to the group, masking their private intentions. Uuh you said the right thing, you got the zaps, the likes, you're a big boy bitcoiner now! Watch the same people turn on each other and act like entitled brats and bitches immediately after when somebody argues for a different bitcoin implementation. You won the game of Bitcoin, you lost in life, wokecoiner. I love my corn and I couldn't care less what the rest of you think. I do this for my own benefit. If Bitcoin's game theory lured me in by that desire and uses me to benefit others, that's just a testimony to why I love Bitcoin. It outsmarts me and my personal F, U & D with fairness and stoicism. Well played. Still: Bitcoin is not an identity. Bitcoiners who only talk bitcoin suck balls. View quoted note β†’