CoTex

Isn’t there an argument that ETH’s stable price increases its utility? I want to go buy some carrots with my bitcoin and holy shit, I don’t know what it’s worth today, $12,000? $80,000? I didn’t say increases it’s value but, as far as usefulness, wild value fluctuations are the things of banana republics, rite?

So the risk is "0%" and "very unlikely," and "potentially vulnerable to a 51% network attack." I'm sticking with what I said which was "What happens when someone decides to amend and edit the software/plan and create some more? Not smart enough to know but I'm sure people will say "that will never happen." I've seen a few impossible things become possible, in the last decade, so I wouldn't guarantee anything." And, I think it is likely that Bitcoin code/system/network, whatever you call it, was manmade... by humans... in the past. I also think it is likely that there are humans who are now actively trying to "hack" it. Either for profit or to be disruptive. As difficult as it may be to imagine, if I'm correct, these humans actively trying to hack it, now and tomorrow, will have access to AI and greater computing power than those original creators. They may beat the unbeatable system, or they may not.

Agree. Here's where I landed, and I have no desire to Cloak Room up this place, but if we're discussing a bitcoin which, arguably, is a currency (I understand there are theories that it is a system, a store of value, a ponzi scheme, etc.), then I think I can compare it to the world's "reserve currency" which is the US Dollar. Disclaimer, these thoughts are not particularly well organized. The US money supply (I'm going to use M2 but I'm sure there are better measures and some econ grad student can point that out) was +- $11trillion dollars in 2014. A decade later there are +- 22trillion, "in supply." I know this does not equal printed dollar bills in someone's stack. Inflation makes my 2024 dollar worth less than my 2014 dollar. And, if my dollar is backed by the full faith and credit... and the US has more debt, then there is an argument that my dollar is devalued by government borrowing, while inflation makes the government debt amount cost less, and on-and-on. So, bitcoin is capped in supply. 21million as I understand it. What happens when someone decides to amend and edit the software/plan and create some more? Not smart enough to know but I'm sure people will say "that will never happen." I've seen a few impossible things become possible, in the last decade, so I wouldn't guarantee anything. Take all of this as amateur and uninformed economics but, a dollar is of variable value and there is a variable quantity of dollars. A bitcoin is of variable value and there is a fixed (for now) quantity of bitcoins. One is backed by the federal government which brings with it a hearty appetite for borrowing, one is backed by holders' trust and faith in its future. The USD is the world's reserve currency and for many reasons, many people don't like that. Many people would like an alternative. It may be BTC - too early to tell and likely not permanent. One is declining in value, as to the other. One is increasing in value, as to the other. One is widely accepted around the world. One is gaining acceptance. Which one will win? I've got a majority of my small stack in USD things, and a minority in BTC things. What is a USD thing? A share of BRK/B is in many ways, cash. I never hold the certificate in my hand - I guess I could try to have one issued - but instead hold it in some e-wallet at a broker. Relative to the dollar, it increases in value, sometimes. I hope it goes fast. I think because of government policies, froth, desire for change, rebellion and lack of alternate suitable reserve currencies, for now, BTC will go up for a while. Might come down in a real hurry too. Hacker rewrites the code so that everyone gets a blue screen? Scrambles the data so nobody knows who owns what? Counterfeiting? There is risk out there. Top - unknown. Floor - $0.

Of course not. That's not how internet works. I did get in on IBIT at $30, which is nice. I have increased my holding in that and BTCO over time and am sitting on some nice gains in both spots. And by nice I mean the best performers I've ever had, if you consider the increase percentage and the short time frame. When it goes to $0, I'll lose less of a gain than you will, and will feel better about my $0 than you will. Then we'll fight with guns and sticks in the streets like The Road.

Anybody drive to Colorado on the reg? To ski, buy the MJ, or just listen to John Denver - i don't care. I've done it a few times and learned a few things. Last time, stopped for dinner in 'rillo, ate at the Big Texan because I'm a red blooded 'merican, and then drove to Dumas to stay at the Holiday Inn express. Thinking about doing it again a day or two after Christmas - head to an I-70 destination. I'm looking for tips, stories, interesting things to see, and ways to pass the long drive across Texas. From Dallas, what ski resort is the best bang for the buck? I don't mean cheapest but, is Aspen better than Vail? How much better? Is Vail better than Breckenridge? I've been to Park City Winter Park, Breckenridge, Steamboat, Jhole, and Ruidoso (which I won't repeat). Is Crested Butte an easier drive? Is there a shortcut to Telluride that shaves 4 hours off the trip?

Gotta run that hourly rate.

This is why we need a purge-like free for all weekend. Somebody disses you, retribution time.

I’m no Diddy apologist but aggy Buzbee on a high horse is pretty rich. Isnt there some “lady” smashed a Warhol story out there? Edit: found it - https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Dallas-woman-destroys-300K-worth-of-art-at-12456018.php

I drank Old Milwaukee with my step grandfather, in his airboat in Florida, when I was 11. He drank whatever my grandmother bought and she bought whatever was cheapest. That meant … Old Milwaukee by the case. Dude made Uncle Slayton look like English royalty.

I was thinking there was some story about the coin toss and someone (studdard?) saying “tell your girl I said hello.” Did I misremember that?

I don't prefer Spirit - avoid it when possible - but put in airpods and turn on a movie, and you'll be fine. Just like any other airline, you could be sitting next to almost anyone, and that could affect your experience. The odds of you sitting next to a poor are higher, but if you have the right attitude a poor can be a good neighbor. I, like you, consider the economics. If the difference is $1, I'm not taking the budget airline. $1,000,000? I'll wear a 70's stewardess outfit and push the drink cart.

My dog is a giant pussy, apparently. She'll bark and chase cats, opossi, and raccoons, but when she corners them... standoff. No fight.

This is a really good point but I think there is another, lower, layer to this. I think a cop can likely violate "professional standards," and still be within the law. Maybe even egregiously violate professional standards. They get a pretty broad immunity and they know it. I raise this because I personally think our society should consider paying cops more but also reducing their immunity. More reward, more risk.

My hot take: A seizure for a traffic violation justifies a police investigation of that violation. That's straight from Ruth Bader Ginsburg's pen. Rodriguez v. United States. United States Supreme Court. April 21, 2015. So, 1. Was there a traffic violation? Cops sure seem to think so. I bet they win that one. 2. Does that entitle them to "seize" Hill and his vehicle? Seems implicit from RBG's quote. 3. Is an investigation into that violation justified? RBG says so. What is an "investigation?" Beyond determining whether to issue a traffic ticket, an officer’s mission includes ordinary inquiries incident to the traffic stop. Typically such inquiries involve checking the driver’s license, determining whether there are outstanding warrants against the driver, and inspecting the automobile’s registration and proof of insurance. These checks serve the same objective as enforcement of the traffic code: ensuring that vehicles on the road are operated safely and responsibly. A warrant check makes it possible to determine whether the apparent traffic violator is wanted for one or more previous traffic offenses. So, cop gets to check driver's license, check warrants, inspect registration and insurance. I went back and watched video. First thing that happens when window rolls down is cop notices no seatbelt. Now we're at 2 tickets - speeding and seatbelt. Then Hill rolls window up. At this point in time, cop still has job to do/right to check driver's license, check warrants, inspect registration and insurance. You can see Hill in the car moving around and putting on his seatbelt. Cop tells him to roll down/keep down the window, at least 3 times. Then Cop tells him to get out of the car at least 5 times before cop 2 opens the door. Everything goes off the track... cops aren't backing down now. Noteworthy: Florida state courts have described "refusing commands to roll his window down, unlock his door, and hang up his phone" as "resistance." If we're arguing the "what should be" in this country, you can throw all of the above out. If we're debating the "what is," I think the Supremes and Florida court would say "These cops were on a lawful mission and Hill's refusing commands to roll his window down/exit the car was resistance/obstruction to/of that lawful mission." I'll let someone else roll out what happens when you resist/obstruct a cop in pursuit of a lawful mission.

I thought parents were supposed to protect their children from wild animals. It seems here they harbored the wild animal with the child.