#basic of blockchain

[atcuality]

 How Blockchain Technology is Revolutionizing Business Processes

Blockchain technology is rapidly transforming business processes across industries, offering unparalleled security, transparency, and efficiency. From finance to healthcare and beyond, businesses are leveraging blockchain to streamline operations and enhance trust among stakeholders. 

Understanding Blockchain Technology

Blockchain is a decentralized, distributed ledger technology that securely records transactions across multiple computers. Each transaction is stored in a block, which is linked to the previous block, creating a chain of blocks — hence the name blockchain. This ensures that once a transaction is recorded, it cannot be altered or deleted, making blockchain tamper-proof and highly secure.

Applications of Blockchain Technology

Supply Chain Management: Blockchain enables end-to-end traceability of products, enhancing transparency and reducing fraud in supply chains.

Financial Services: Blockchain is revolutionizing traditional banking systems by enabling faster, more secure, and cost-effective transactions.

Smart Contracts: These are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement between buyer and seller directly written into lines of code. They automatically execute actions when predefined conditions are met, reducing the need for intermediaries.

Digital Identity: Blockchain provides a secure way to manage digital identities, ensuring data privacy and security.

Healthcare: Blockchain is used to securely store and share patient data, ensuring privacy and interoperability among healthcare providers.

Voting Systems: Blockchain can be used to create secure and transparent voting systems, reducing the risk of fraud and manipulation.

Intellectual Property Protection: Blockchain can help protect intellectual property rights by securely recording ownership and transfer of digital assets.

Choosing the Best Blockchain Developer

When looking for a blockchain developer, it's crucial to consider their experience, expertise, and track record. Look for developers who have worked on similar projects and have a deep understanding of blockchain technology and its applications.

Blockchain Application Development Services

Blockchain development services encompass a range of offerings, including:

Smart Contract Development: Creating and deploying smart contracts tailored to specific business needs.

Blockchain Consulting: Providing expert advice on implementing blockchain technology in business processes.

Blockchain Integration: Integrating blockchain into existing systems and applications.

Blockchain Security Audits: Conducting audits to identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities in blockchain systems.

Blockchain Development Solutions

Blockchain development solutions offer comprehensive tools and platforms for building blockchain applications, such as:

Hyperledger Fabric: A popular framework for building enterprise-grade blockchain applications.

Ethereum: A decentralized platform that enables the development of smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps).

Ripple: A real-time gross settlement system, currency exchange, and remittance network. 

Conclusion

Blockchain technology is revolutionizing business processes by providing secure, transparent, and efficient solutions across industries. Businesses that embrace blockchain today will gain a competitive edge tomorrow, unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation.

[teamfortresstwo]

I think anyone who reads TMA as an allegory for capitalism should also read into the leitners as the stock market because it’s funny

[hardoreasyfinance]

Exploring the World of Cryptocurrencies: Guide to Investing in Crypto

Cryptocurrencies are digital assets that use cryptography to secure and verify transactions as well as to control the creation of new units. The most well-known cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, which was created in 2009. However, there are now thousands of different cryptocurrencies, each with its unique features and uses.

What are Cryptocurrencies and How do They Work?

Cryptocurrencies are digital assets that use cryptography to secure and facilitate financial transactions. They are based on a distributed ledger technology called blockchain, which is used to record and verify all cryptocurrency transactions. Cryptocurrencies have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their potential for providing a secure and anonymous way of making payments online.

The cryptocurrency market is highly volatile, with prices fluctuating wildly due to speculation and market forces. Bitcoin is the most well-known cryptocurrency, but there are hundreds of other crypto assets available for trading. In this article, we will explore what cryptocurrencies are, how they work, and why they have become so popular.

Why Invest in Cryptocurrencies? (Benefits of Investing in Crypto Assets)

Investing in cryptocurrencies can offer a range of potential benefits, including:

High potential returns: Cryptocurrencies are known for their volatility, which can provide investors with the opportunity to earn high returns if they buy low and sell high.

Decentralization: Unlike traditional fiat currencies, cryptocurrencies are not controlled by a central authority. This means that they are less susceptible to manipulation and government interference.

Accessibility: Cryptocurrencies can be bought and sold 24/7 on exchanges around the world, making them more accessible to investors than traditional assets.

Transparency: Most cryptocurrencies use blockchain technology, which provides a transparent and secure way to record transactions. This can help prevent fraud and increase trust in the financial system.

Diversification: Adding cryptocurrencies to a portfolio can help diversify investments and reduce risk.

Innovation: Cryptocurrencies are at the forefront of technological innovation, with new projects and ideas emerging all the time. This can provide investors with the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of the next big thing.

I hope you learn something from this post.

[emergingtechnews]

What Is Ethereum Explained With How it Works & its Purpose

What Is Ethereum Explained With How it Works & its Purpose

Founded in 2015, Ethereum is a decentralized computing network and functions as the backbone for many applications, smart contracts, and other digital assets. Its own crypto, Ether, currently holds the title of the second most popular and biggest cryptocurrency by market capitalization globally. Ether makes up around 17% of the crypto market with a valuation above $160 billion. Ethereum provides…

[retrogradeyeo]

I am purchasing a bag of #ANKR and I am going to sell that bag at $1.25!

[chongoblog]

So yesterday that one orange guy teased a “Major Announcement” which had all his followers thinking he was going to, like, expose The Left or something. Today we found out his big announcement was...

NFT’s

Technically they’re “Digital Trading Cards” so they aren’t even backed up by blockchain-y technobabble or whatever, but all things considered, they’re basically NFT’s in terms of their value. And he’s selling them for $99 apiece

And they look like this

losing my mind i think

[doubleddenden]

The topic of Palworld is pretty charged, but often times I see people be shamed for liking it because the CEO tweeted stuff about NFTs and the company using AI art in a separate game. Acting as if that's the most damning thing ever for a gaming company in an industry filled with similar people.

Make no mistake, I dislike both AI art and nfts, but do you realize how many gaming companies have involvement with that?

To begin with, Pokémon used AI art in a promotional piece for Pokémon Go in September, and nobody gave a shit because uwu Pikachu. The Pokémon Company also put a job listing some months back seeking an expert in NFTs. That's not quite damning evidence, but if I were a betting man, no "NFT expert" will willingly say "yeah nfts suck are bad for the environment, man, I'll take my paycheck and fuck off now." There's also a strong argument to be made that Pokémon has stolen ideas from fakemon artists (Finizen and Palafin, Scovillain, Dipplin, etc) and other franchises (kaiju movies, Dragon Quest, Megaman, final fantasy, western cartoons and food mascots, etc), a dubious legal statement that claims they own all fan art from the remixes and fakemon made on youtube to the pikachu your kid drew at breakfast; they have yet to apologize for the state of Scarlet and Violet while charging full price to millions of paying customers for a clearly unfinished and barely functioning game (which i did enjoy, but you can't tell me it was finished baking when it struggles not to shit itself just to run), and a bunch of other things people shit on Palworld for, but A. It's Pokémon so people don't care and think it's fine, and B. That's not the point of this post.

You know who else does NFTs and AI art? (Yes I heard Muscle Man from Regular Show in my head just now, too, moving along)

Square Enix sold several of their IPs for NFTs and claims to have used AI art "a minimum amount" in Foam Stars, yet I see nobody yelling for boycotts of Final Fantasy 14, 16, Kingdom Hearts, Dragon Quest, Life is Strange, etc etc etc.

Sony has invested in both, they want to implement AI into gaming, and has a patent for nfts to be used in games and consoles, yet there's no movement to throw out your playstations.

Bandai Namco- you know, that company with a hand in pretty much most anime games on the market and popular games such as the Dark Souls games? They have a game called RYU that's essentially a virtual pet game that uses the blockchain, and its AI driven, among other projects. Yet there's no outcry to stop playing the many, MANY games they brand with. This also includes quite a few Nintendo games (btw they just partnered together to form a special studio quite recently) like Smash Wii U/3ds and New Pokémon Snap. Nobody gives a shit though.

Android, Microsoft, Google, Apple- I don't even need to explain those, they have whole teams dedicated to both. Even popular VPN companies accept crypto.

I'm just saying an awful lot of you guys that scream and shit bloody murder about Palworld's company being involved with that shit are either the biggest "It's okay when my favs do it" type of hypocrites, or you're sorely ignorant to just how evil and greedy most corporations are. You'll be hard pressed to find a game company with popular AND fun games that DOESN'T have some interest in either, let alone movie and show studios. That's the awful reality we live in.

You have 2 options

1. You basically stop doing anything involving most modern tech, including throwing out your pc and smart phone. You could probably live a comfortable life with tech circa 2010, but you have to be aware that any thing you buy may go towards a cause you don't like.

2. You accept that people can enjoy a product while not necessarily agreeing with the CEO of said product. Most CEOs tend to be jackasses anyway, that's kind of the shared trait they all have. You can also discourage companies from using them while understanding it is everywhere.

Palworld at the end of the day is just a toy, that's it. From the looks of it, it's not even actually hurting anyone, and it seems like the company at least treats their employees pretty decently- at least according to a few things I've seen here and there that seems rather progressive for a Japanese studio (with room for doubt obviously, it's a company after all and as we've established, they're all evil). At the least its not like when people supported Hogwarts Legacy and directly put money into JKR's wallet so she can openly hurt more Trans women. In fact, the only people seemingly hurt in all of this Palworld drama are obsessed Pokémon stans that can't accept a parody, or the Pokémon Company themselves, who rightly deserve some punching up tbh.

You can just say you dislike the game, that's fine, I totally get that. Even though I personally think The Pokémon Company deserves a few nut shots after the way they've treated fans these last few years with the state of their games (and you know, stealing ideas from fans without credit), I can see why someone would be turned away from a parody that's literally meant to be Pokémon with guns. I can totally understand all of that, personally I'd prefer if the game was MORE like Pokémon with turn based combat.

But if you're going to defend Pokémon because you think its perfectly innocent because of Wooloo or something like that, just be sure you're aware you're defending the World's Richest Franchise and their own attempts at AI and NFTs while calling out an indie company (a real one thats learning as they go, not the fake "We're totally indie" franchise that hasn't been indie since gen 3) for having a ceo that also seems interested in the same stuff. And remember, you don't become number 1 without hurting people somehow (we could dig up receipts about certain partners Pokémon has teamed up with, such as Tencent with Unite, but I'd rather not right now.)

Just saying. I don't think you're an irredeemable person for still liking Pikachu, cuz I do too believe it or not. I've been a life long fan and still have fun with the games despite the clear scummy business practices towards their paying customers. Just maybe extend that courtesy to the millions of players just trying to have fun in this awful, putrid, shithole planet that just keeps getting worse and worse with each passing day.

Plus... you know, think about it. Do you think Pokémon would ever get around to making a gunless Palworld? Probably not. Do you think Palworld would exist if The Pokémon Company and Nintendo were the slightest bit chill about Pokémon fan projects like SEGA is with Sonic? Also probably not. From what I've read, the devs just wanted to make a fun game that happens to mostly be ARK with Pokémon adjacent monsters. That's not really a bad thing, all things considered, and it seems like the worst they've done is reference official Pokémon when making their own models.

Palworld being successful is actually beneficial to Pokémon fans, as well. It'll never really truly compete, but it has outsold Legends Arceus in terms of units sold (not as much financially because Palworld was only $30 plus a sale recently, but still impressive), and it is enough that Game Freak is aware of its existence. Let Palworld light a fire under their ass, and maybe GF will actually finish their next game before releasing it for full price (and no, we're not bringing up the tired imaginary ball and chain game devs, game freak owns 1/3rd lf the franchise and can easily take methods to get more dev time, they just haven't because money). Just saying, at least the Paldevs were honest enough to sell it in early access for half the price.

[aprivateplace7]

PSA: Why I Am Boycotting Kpop (& how)

So. I love kpop. Its been a big part of my life for a few years now. But I'm boycotting. Why?

Well to put it simply, its because of the 🍉Palestine genocide🍉 *A lot* of these k-entertainment companies are directly & indirectly supporting Zionism/Israel, including monetarily.

Like most, I think, I only found out about this whole thing in Oct '23, so its now that I'm choosing to boycott in hopes of helping.

This is NOT an "attack" on anyone. Not a certain group, not even a certain label.

I am boycotting *everyone* personally. Officially, the popular boycott is the big 3 & HYBE. However I know that another company, Kakao Ent is also a huge Zionist offender (also I just saw that they invest in a blockchain too...? So yeah, ew). So to make it easier for myself, I am boycotting all of kpop.

I also have no issue w/ the artists themselves. I do not do this out of any hate/fan wars. I am not assuming/accusing them of being Zionists. I know, they are celebs but they work for the company. They have to obey their bosses, so while I would like more of the artists to openly speak in support of Palestine, I am not holding it against them.

Its just that, any $ the artist makes, goes straight to the company. & I don't like what these companies are doing w/ my $.

(Btw, it rly is about the companies. So for ex HYBE America has the artist Ariana Grande. I am boycotting her too, its just that I've never been a huge fan. I rly, rly like kpop. So that is why I am focusing on it. Its meaningless to say u are boycotting something that you never bought/consumed in the 1st place)

And just to note; I don't want to hear anything about "keeping politics out of kpop". These companies are *not* disconnected from the issue. & saying that "I'm not Palestinian so its not my problem" is extremely cruel.

Links & more info below-

Twt thread [X]

For Stays [X]

Twt link 2 [X]

Twt thread about Starbucks (TLDR; Not the same as McDonalds aka not directly contributing to Zionism, but they are still anti-union & treat their workers shitty, so still boycott) [X]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you also want to stop/reduce streaming, here is how I'm doing it

I'm not saying that u have to completely stop interacting w/ ur fav artists. I'm not. I'm just trying to minimize my interactions w/ official content, like streaming, videos ect.

So the 1st thing; Get comfortable w/ sketchy looking websites & piracy!!!

Like I know, now that everything is readily available on (monetized) platforms, its hard to make the switch! Its hard to even know where to start. But there still are a lot of tools out there to do it.

Here are the basic things-

"yewtu . be"

*** (edit: the website shows .com, but the actual address is .in) "ilkpop . in"

(remove spaces, I'm not putting links bc that is how u get illict sites taken down, i think...)

Google drive

The app "Musicolet" (for mobile listening)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There is this website "yewtu . be" that you can use to watch yt vids w/out adding to the views/ad revenue. I've only used it on desktop, so idk how well it works on mobile. Sorry. Btw, sometimes it can not work, but it has options to switch the source to one that works. I have not tried making an acc, so idk how secure that is, but just using it to watch things seems ok.

As for streaming/downloading mp3, there is another website "ilkpop . in" it has most official releases. U can stream right from the site, or download mp3.

When downloading (I did this all on desktop btw) I would recommend the extension "TabBlock", it prevents opening any new tabs. So u do have to toggle it on/off.

So I downloaded the songs as mp3 files from that website, uploaded them to my Google drive & then downloaded them to my phone from there. These files surprisingly don't take a lot of room, I have currently 471 songs that are only 1.63 GB

The app I'm using to listen on mobile is Musicolet. 1st time using it for about a month & I like it. Its free, it plays local downloaded files, so no need for internet & most importantly it will continue to play the songs while the screen is off. For free. W/ no ads. U can also still make playlists. It has more settings & customization stuff.

This is based on my personal experience, so I use desktop (windows) & android devices. This is all I know. Don't be too scared about the looks of the sites. I haven't gotten any viruses, but u might wanna make sure u have installed an antivirus. The one I use is Avast, the free version is ok. It does have a subscription & ads but its not too annoying.

[sexygaywizard]

(no harm or mockery intended)

what's the difference between adoptables and like idk. nfts?

LMAO this is a crazy question. I'm sure it's genuine but the only similarities are superficial if that. I mean NFTs are on the blockchain and tied to cryptocurrency which means they have all the ethical/environmental/etc problems related to that. Not to mention you're rarely if ever actually or directly paying the artist who drew the thing (altho they do usually get some small cut). Adoptables are just artists selling original character designs. I get the whole thing of like how when nfts came around a lot of people described them as "the new adoptables" but that's like. Obviously mostly a joke and the way that they're new is basically just that they're worse in the most capitalist way possible.

[atcuality]

[erc20tokengenerator]

ERC20 Token Generator Introduction

Have you ever thought about creating your own cryptocurrency? With an ERC20 Token Generator , you can make it happen effortlessly. Let’s explore how to dive into the blockchain universe.

Understanding ERC20 Tokens

ERC20 tokens are a type of digital asset on the Ethereum blockchain, following a set standard for compatibility and functionality.

Advantages of ERC20 Tokens:

Consistency: Adheres to a universal protocol.

Broad Adoption: Recognized across various Ethereum-based platforms.

Robust Support: Strong community and resources available.

How to Use an ERC20 Token Generator

Creating tokens is simplified with these tools. Here’s how it works:

Specify Token Details:

Decide on a name and symbol.

Determine the total number of tokens.

Utilize the Generator:

Access an online generator.

Enter your token information.

Deploy Your Token:

Review your settings.

Launch on the Ethereum network.

Features of ERC20 Tokens

ERC20 tokens provide essential features that enhance their usability:

Standard Operations: Includes transferring and checking balances.

Smart Contract Compatibility: Integrates easily with smart contracts.

Security Assurance: Utilizes Ethereum's strong blockchain security.

Reasons to Create an ERC20 Token

Why create your own token? Here are some compelling reasons:

Raise Capital: Launch an ICO for funding.

Build Engagement: Offer rewards to your community.

Drive Innovation: Explore new blockchain applications.

Challenges to Consider

Despite the simplicity, some challenges exist:

Knowledge Requirement: Some blockchain understanding is needed.

Security Concerns: Vulnerabilities can be exploited if not addressed.

Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring adherence to legal standards is vital.

Best Practices for Token Creation

Follow these tips to ensure a successful token launch:

Code Audits: Regularly check for security issues.

Community Involvement: Seek feedback and make necessary adjustments.

Stay Updated: Keep abreast of blockchain trends and legal requirements.

Conclusion

The ERC20 Token Generator empowers you to create and innovate within the crypto space. Whether you're a developer or entrepreneur, it's a powerful tool for blockchain engagement.

Final Thoughts

Embarking on token creation offers a unique opportunity to explore the digital economy and its possibilities.

FAQs

1. What is the purpose of an ERC20 Token Generator?

It’s a tool to create custom tokens on the Ethereum blockchain easily.

2. Do I need technical skills to create a token?

A basic understanding of blockchain helps, but many tools are user-friendly.

3. Can I trade my ERC20 tokens?

Yes, you can trade them on crypto exchanges or directly with users.

4. What costs are involved in token creation?

Creating tokens incurs gas fees on the Ethereum network.

5. How can I ensure my token’s security?

Perform regular audits and follow best practices for security.

Source : https://www.altcoinator.com/

[minecraft]

I think it's hilarious how nft/crypto bros try to sell people on projects related to crypto in a way where they cite that blockchain/crypto integration is some huge key feature and something people should like and look forward to as a consumer/investor, but instead of that every sane person sees it for what it is, basically poison, or tying a project down by a huge metal ball and chain labelled "SCAM".

[thyrell]

Nfts were the first duchamps fountain. The sight of a kinda ugly monkey drawing turned everyone here into reactionaries

thats not really true though because there was never any question on whether nfts are art, because they dont really create anything. an nft is basically just a sticker attached to a web link that says "the owner of a certain blockchain wallet owns this sticker"

[emergingtechnews]

What Is Metaverse? An Introduction to the Future of VR

What Is Metaverse? An Introduction to the Future of VR

I’m not trying to get philosophical, but we are living two different lives — One in the offline world and the other online. So it’s no surprise to anyone that the time spent online is increasing at a steady pace. In 2022, the global population spends an average of 40% of non-working waking hours online. And it’s expected to reach at least 50% by 2030. Hence, to accommodate this new reality, the…

[theempresstrash]

Welcome! :3

If you are here right now more than likely you are a Twitter crypto artist denizen who has heard me, @maxcapacity and probably many other shouting about Tumblr on Twitter. Why Tumblr? It is part nostalgia, part necromancy, part homage to the the Web3 greats who spent years here (some are still here), part rebellion, and part reminding artists to come together to help each other.

Twitter heavily favors text base tweets - it's just a fact. Here is not the case. Many of us are also maybe a little jaded on what is happening overall and feel ignored as artists. Discord is full of scams, twitter group chats are cliquey, but here we are free to roam, explore each others works, and create a visual digital identity we want to present.

Come play with us and remember why we are all here! For the art, to make friends, express ourselves, have a good time and build a better future for artists. Yes we all want to sell work too ofc - we have physical bodies to take care of and bills to pay - but what if we share with each other our wins and how we got them, and our failures and what we learned from them as artists so when we go back to the rest of the internet hellscape we can find more success? At the very least, make some friends here or rekindle connects that may have been lost to not feel so alone. For some of you this is a trip down memory lane, for others you have never been here before. Old or new a like I encourage you to check out who I am following to get started finding each other.

This isn't rocket science - if you can understand blockchain web3 stuff, I have faith you can understand this old beast of a social network. Love you all ~~~ <3

P.S. I'm writing this for specific purposes of a pinned post. It feels so good to be able to write more than 150 characters. Also here are multi gifs side by side -- for the culture.

EDIT: Because I can edit and also adding this - for the culture 🫡🚫

~We are here to focus on the art and building up artists and to build an open, non hierarchal structure to provide mutual support for each other while showcasing the hard work and dope art crypto artists do to try to shape the landscape of web3 to be more artist friendly for ALL artists from diverse backgrounds. ~ Here are some guidelines to foster a healthy community growth:

~ NO SHILL POST/ART SHARE POSTS - why? we want the focus to go back on the artist and deep thoughts, not engagement farming. Shilling/art share is a viable way on twitter to get your art out there because of how the social media is structured. Here - content is the focus. You can discover new artists a multitude of ways including searching hashtags, looking through your fav artists feed of who they are sharing or following, and generally just wandering around.

~ INDEPENDENT ARTIST FOCUS - 10k pfp projects are a part of the nft ecosystem, and thrive on twitter, but here we want to again have the focus stay on independent artists. A basic issue with these projects is to access a lot of their communities they are token gated, and a lot of artists just can't afford them. Also many feel we are drowning in the noise of a lot of the politics and drama that goes on between projects, and need a place again to share ourselves with each other for feedback, support and overall good times.

~ REPORT AND BLOCK THE HATERS / KILL WITH KIDNESS- anywhere on the internet hate is prevalent for lots of different reasons related to our content and not. Bullies are cowards, and to bully someone for a technology they use is boring. Tumblr also does not tolerate hate and harassment in any form. Maybe someone is having a bad day and if able extend kindness. For extreme comments, report them. For continual harassers, block them. This is your space to curate how you wish. We deserve to be here as artists as anyone else, and hope to on top of supporting each other showcase our dope af work we are doing within the crypto art ecosystems to show we aren't all scammers, just artists trying to build a better future.

[gwgaccountant]

Dan Olson's newest documentary, "This Is Financial Advice," has really gotten into my head.

I should mention this first: I'm going to call the memestock redditors believing the MOASS conspiracy theory "apes" because that's one of their most common names for themselves. Like most of their other self-descriptors, it implies a lack of intelligence. There's a weird self-deprecating streak in the memestock community, which you'd think would be incompatible with a typical conspiracy theorist's overconfidence. You'd be wrong. That's part of what's interesting.

Part of me wants to break down all the places where the self-proclaimed apes' financial theories break down. Like, if we accept that Ken Griffin needs to buy back more Gamestop shares than are in existence, and that the Reddit apes already own most real shares of Gamestop, and that all of them will hodl as the stock prices rise to plausibly high stock prices, the hedge funds wouldn't be forcibly liquidated to pay arbitrarily high prices demanded by the apes. The short sale contract is a contract between the short-seller and the lender; nobody involved has an obligation to the shareholders. If stock prices rose too high, the short-seller would either cut a deal with the lender or break contract and deal with the legal consequences. But this kind of thing is pointless; the people who believe that stuff aren't available to be persuaded, and the exercise requires accepting so many absurd premises that its educational value is limited.

Another part of me is fascinated by how the whole memestock community is basically playing the world's slowest game of chicken. They seem to conceptualize their conflict with hedge funds as—well, first of as a conflict that both sides are participating in, where both sides are fighting by the same rules. But those rules are, themselves, kinda silly. The apes ascribe their inevitable, ultimate victory to the fact that they're willing to grind video games for little practical reward; their actions involve stubbornly refusing to sell the stocks they buy, even as the company they represent goes bankrupt and warns investors that those shares are likely to become worthless soon. As far as I can tell, they conceptualize the conflict as basically a contest of will—the diamond-handed apes holding onto their stocks versus the greedy hedge funds...doing...something. Spreading FUD, I guess. It's such a weird conflict and bears so little relationship to how actual finance works.

It also overlaps in some key ways with other topics Dan Olsen has covered, which isn't surprising. Everyone needs a niche, and Olsen's is increasingly online conspiracy theories and grifts. Also, /r/Superstonk users are swimming in the same waters as a lot of conspiracy theorists and crypto-bros, and the sort of person who buys GME because Reddit says it'll make them all gorrilionaires and then swallows conspiracies like tic-tacs to explain why the price is still falling is probably vulnerable to blockchain scams and flat-earth theories and such.

But there are also interesting differences! To start with, despite being a financial conspiracy theory, MOASS is remarkably non-antisemitic. There is still antisemitism, don't get me wrong, but since the villains of their conspiracy are international financial institutions, I expected more. I expected the antisemitism to be front and center, even more prominent than in most conspiracy theories. But it's not! It's probably less antisemitic than the average conspiracy theory!

There's also the fact that apes are basically trying to organize a counter-conspiracy. It's an ineffective one, considering how its plans are based on a bunch of lies they keep telling each other, but they're still organizing an effort to create a new world order with themselves at the top, by accumulating financial capital and forcing the US government to pay obligations owed to them. It sounds like the kind of thing a conspiracy theory with the average amount of antisemitism would say Jews are doing. You don't see that kind of counter-conspiracy "we're gonna take over the world" thing often, outside Christian Dominionist circles and imperialist war hawks, and their "we" is a lot broader than the apes'.

On a completely unrelated note, one of MOASS's core figureheads, DFV, is an ordinary securities broker who wanted to be a finance Influencer. He said that GameStop was probably undervalued by about 50%; it would probably see a bump in 2020 from the ninth console generation (which wouldn't be delayed by any unexpected global events that also hurt brick-and-mortar retail in general), which would give it the capital needed to potentially pivot to a business model that's more sustainable in our digital world. By saying GME was undervalued, defending his theory despite the global pandemic ruining the assumptions it was based on, and celebrating GME's obviously unsustainable prices as evidence of his theory being correct despite being caused by completely different factors, DFV became a bit of a thought leader. The apes started reading anything he said in public as a coded message to them, which lead DFV to withdraw from the memestock community and social media overall, which lead to the apes simply recasting him as the sort of shadowy cabal leader that would be a conspiracy theory villain if he wasn't supposedly supporting and leading the apes from the shadows. DFV is not perfect. He committed to his pet theory even when the basis for it collapsed, even though COVID gave him a perfect ego-preserving exit ("I was wrong, but who could have predicted the pandemic?") He then took an equally unpredictable freak event as confirmation of that theory, even though it was unrelated to the theory's premise. But he saw a bunch of increasingly conspiratorial cranks who wanted to make him a figurehead in their movement, potentially giving a huge boost to his finance Influencer dreams, and said "no, bye". I can respect that.

M

Ryan Cohen is such a character. He's a perfect example of a capitalist failson. He's an activist investor, a concept which I've been meaning to ramble about ever since I learned of the term in one of my accounting classes. But he likes attention and is willing to give apes the kind of crumbs they like for it. And maybe manipulate them for his own profit. Despite this, the apes still treat Cohen as a trustworthy savior, so much that Carl Icahn got drafted into the pantheon through flimsy association with Cohen. They think he has this master plan to create a megacorporation out of failing retailers that he has already stopped meddling with, which will somehow make the apes into billionaire cyberpunk villains.

Speaking of which: For all that the memestock apes like to position themselves against Wall Street's real-life cyberpunk villains, their predictable bad decisions are making a tidy profit for those same villains. (Aside from the one company that went out of business because it was making short sales that were considered reckless before Reddit started memestocking.) I don't have a point here, it's just ironic.

And, of course: Is the headband guy the same as the "I'm within 400 feet of an elementary school to prove the haters wrong and tell you about an unmissable business opportunity" guy from the Contrepreneurs video?