#digital currency explained

[compozingart]

One ✨flashy✨ fanart for the Buggy simps from one simp to another

DON'T STEAL MY ART! Credit me wherever you may use it.

[icnews]

How to pass on your crypto when you die?

[goodbreezeyeah]

Fedcoin Meaning and Explained

[deadpresidents]

I'm always a fan of Caity Weaver's work, but this piece from the New York Times Magazine (these links are gift links from me past the NYT paywall to access the full article) about how the penny is not only a ridiculous zombie currency, but also a reflection of American dysfunction is one of the best articles I've read in a long time. It's really interesting, especially the parts about production, circulation, and the ultimate paralysis of throwing them in a coin jar for months or years before eventually taking them to a Coinstar machine.

Not only is the penny useless and more expensive to make than it is actually worth, but it's also relatively easy to eliminate. But it's not an imperative and eliminating it also wouldn't necessarily be something that the government or the citizens would actively profit from. And people don't like change -- and I don't mean "change" as in currency, but the act of doing something different or unusual from our accepted routines. So we just ignore them or discard them or hoard them needlessly, and the government keeps making billions of tons (literally) of them because they drop out of circulation. Nobody cares and nobody wants to have to do anything about it because America.

Here's a little excerpt of the piece from the New York Times Magazine, and again, just follow the links for a free gift pass behind the paywall for Caity's full article:

Americans accumulate pennies not because we desire them but because we are entitled to them. If we pay for something in cash with more than exact change, we expect to receive back the difference; if the difference ends in any number other than 0 or 5, we will receive at least one penny. We are entitled to pennies because they exist. But imagine a world where they didn't. Imagine a world where it was Canada. Many Americans will be surprised to learn that Canada eliminated its 1-cent coin more than a decade ago...Canada got rid of its penny in 2013 because it cost 1.6 cents to produce and had, like its American cousin, become essentially worthless. Here is the most important detail to understand: Canada eliminated only its physical coin, not the mathematical concept of 1 cent. Payment by credit card, debit card, mobile phone or check -- any kind of noncash transaction -- is calculated exactly as it was before the penny was abolished. If, after tax, a bill comes to, say, $20.11, a Canadian paying by credit card will be charged $20.11. A Canadian paying by cash can expect to pay $20.10. The final digit of Canadian cash transactions is rounded to the nearest nickel: 1 and 2, nearest to 0 nickels, round down to 0; 3 and 4 round up to a nickel -- 5; 6 and 7, also nearest to one nickel, round down -- 5 again; 8 and 9, nearest to 10 cents, round up. I admit that the thought I might be asked to pay, say $3.80 (cash) for something that, according to the laws of God and man, has been calculated to cost $3.79 (cash) is not only reflexively infuriating to me but a potential source of permanent confusion. The Canadian government mitigated one of those problems (no hope for the other) with an information campaign that included signs with simple charts dividing potential prices into two columns: "Round down" and "Round up." I asked Karl Littler from the Retail Council of Canada if there were still signs at cash registers explaining the rounding. "It's 10 years now, so even the most obtuse people have pretty much figured it out," he said, and laughed.

-- Caity Weaver: "America Must Free Itself from the Tyranny of the Penny", the New York Times Magazine

[darkeagleruins]

"It is literally a prison planet."

Ed Dowd, former Blackrock portfolio manager, explains why every last vestige of human freedom depends on widespread rejection of CBDCs.

"Once the central bank digital currency is linked to all your credit cards and bank accounts, then social controls can be implemented.

If you're a dissenter like me, talking about truth, they shut you down."

[mawinswag]

Inanimate Insanity 16 Spoilers

SPOILERSSSS

.

.

.

OKAY I GOT SOME THOUGHTSSSSS

Yeah, that was amazing; better than I could've imagined, but also deeply horrifying and depressing, let me explain why.

So, an underlying thing I've had about Inanimate Insanity is a lot of questions about how this world...works? Like there's a justice system and currency and a 'hollywoo' composite entertainment industry.

And yet none of the characters seem to talk about their life before 'the game.' And that wasn't a problem for me because especially in the latter half of season 2 and invitational the character drama and writing made me forget about all that. Even when Cabby tried to remember her parents I only considered that to be a character specific thing and didn't have wider implications. I never needed to know WHY these little doodads were doing their thing.

WELL NOW I FUCKING KNOW WHY

And OH GOD there isn't enough time in the DAY to go over all the implications Cobs' reveals has on the whole series, so here's a collage by https://tinyurl.com/An0MaHous3 on Twitter that covers some of the big ones.

Like WOW what a writing masterstroke because I don't think there could've been a better explanation than the meta narrative one they gave.

So Mephone4 created AT LEAST all the contestants, and given the glitches at the end of the episode probably created this entire world. Not to mention how cobs mentions Mephones 'growth' as a creator effects the art style changes of the space they're in.

But what I'm interested in is this; what does that make cobs? If he's occupying a world created by Mephone, how can he be his creator at the same time?

Well, I'd posit that Cobs ISN'T Mephones creator, whoever MADE HIM is. As in, Cobs is a digital stand-in for the creator of whatever Mephone is. But of course Mephone doesn't even REALIZE he's created a world, given the ending of the episode. His perception of reality and history are LIMITED to this space he occupies. So he imagines Cobs as this brilliant inventor guy who built him and inspired him to create more. But all of this is an analogue to things that happen in the 'real-world' of this show.

And Cobs' attempts to steal the egg and remove the contestants from the equation are representations of abstract concepts that can't be understood from that level; because they're in a MACHINE, they're INSIDE of the 'mephone program' or whatever that's supposed to be in the real-world of the show.

Spitballing head cannoning, but if we see the 'human' version of cobs in the next acts of the finale, I'm gonna FREAK

[blazehedgehog]

Do you agree with Gaming Journalists and what do you think of gaming journalism in general?

What does this even mean, dude.

"Do you agree with gaming journalists"? On what?

Do I agree with Shacknews that Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a 10/10, and with Digital Spy that it's also a 7/10? Do I agree with Let's Clear Up Those Halo Battle Royale Rumors?

Like, I've gotten some bait on this blog before, but this is 2/10 stuff, man. This is some hot 2014 garbage. Like no matter what I say, you're gonna go all

"Very interesting. Then do you care to explain why..." No thanks.

My real answer: Something I learned during my time at TSSZ and being around a few people who were deeper into "the biz" than I is that everybody needs journalism more than they realize. Corporations are pushing for consumers to become their personal cheerleaders more than ever before, which makes criticism and the journalistic exposing of information seem villainous.

After all: Xbox is my friend now, so how dare you attack the Xbox. Behavior that used to be reserved for the most dedicated fanboys is now the expected room temperature. I've talked about "The Cult of Naughty Dog" before, and that's the same thing. If a corporation can get you to be parasocial with them, then they have won, and being parasocial with a corporation means shunning real investigative journalism that would otherwise undo them. Journalists and critics used to be marketing tools, but by undoing the press pipeline and talking directly to fans, journalists and critics are painted as untrustworthy for being wildcards that don't always toe the company line.

And there has been more than a decade of people with a "I choose to be stupid and ignorant on purpose" outlook, which just makes that more frustrating. We've all seen screencaps where some brainless rando tries to explain something to a person who is an expert in that field. The rando thinks they're flexing their brain, but in some cases they are arguing with the person who literally wrote the book on their topic of conversation. Some people don't want to know anything but still pretend like they know everything, when there are real people out there doing real work to uncover real truths.

Misinformation is the real problem. It should not surprise anyone that there are people out there deliberately eroding the foundation of journalistic integrity, because the less people trust journalism, the easier it is to get away with lying. The easier it is to lie, the easier it is to control the mainstream, the easier it is to scam people out of their money, so on and so forth.

And misinformation is more than just "this one news article is fake." There are long running campaigns to install people into news organizations themselves to publish false information for all manner of different goals, but it's all the same: nobody trusts anyone and it's making everyone dumber.

That's when we get crypto currency. And NFTs. And now people claiming that generative AI will save humanity. Grift after grift after grift where the people at the top of the snake oil food chain make off with billions of dollars while the rest of the world is left scratching their heads.

The law isn't going to catch them. If they do, it'll take years. Look at how long it took for Sam Bankman-Fried to get caught -- he operated for almost half an entire decade. The amount of damage somebody can get away with in five years is significant.

We need journalism. Real journalism. Good journalism. Watchdogs that keep an eye on things and blow the whistle when it goes bad. Somebody to enforce accountability that isn't a cop.

Where do you find that? That's the hardest question. I'm lucky enough that I know people I trust because they are long time friends, or friends of friends, and thus they've been properly vetted in my circle as The Real Deal. But there are a lot of outlets out there who claim to champion "truth" and "intelligence" in a way to prey upon insecurity. I mean, c'mon, Trump's social media platform is called "Truth Social" and is basically the furthest thing from the truth you will ever get from anyone, ever.

The more obsessively they try to convince you they're telling the truth, the less likely it is they actually are. Which in itself could be an attack meant to undo the foundations of trust in people who actually know what they're talking about. By casting doubt on the very concept of truth itself, they can lie with increasingly greater efficiency.

Any advice I give feels like it is incredibly circumstantial. Which is the point, and is why we're in the state we're in.

Here's a good pdf by The News Literacy Project that's probably a good place to start. The general gist is "you'll have to do a lot of fact checking for yourself" but that's unfortunately where we're at these days.

But by and large I would say life is a lot harder for real journalists right now than I think some of their critics have ever thought about. There are people out there trying to do actual good work and being a bubble-brained moron about it just makes everything harder for everyone.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Hence our billboard. Folks can support here https://maddogpac.com/products/quick

* * * *

VP Harris campaigns from a position of strength, Trump campaigns from a position of desperation

September 23, 2024

Robert B. Hubbell

Over the last few weeks, emails from readers have shifted in their description of reader activities. More readers are saying they are engaged in door-to-door canvassing on behalf of Kamala Harris and Democratic candidates down-ballot. The most recent communication was a note I received Sunday afternoon, which included, “I will be knocking on doors in Pennsylvania the next six weeks.” Talk about dedication!

I considered noting the trend toward on-the-ground canvassing as the lead for this newsletter but reconsidered, wondering if it was worth highlighting. As I was about to move on to a different subject to open this newsletter, I saw the following article: HuffPo, Republicans In Swing States Say They See Scant Signs Of Groups Door-Knocking For Trump.

According to the HuffPo article, Trump has outsourced his “on the ground organizing” by hiring political action committees to perform work traditionally conducted by volunteers. Among the PACs Trump has hired to perform volunteer work is America PAC, whose major investor is Elon Musk. But in key swing states, political observers are saying that Trump paid canvassers are “missing in action.”

The PACs hired by Trump are running into difficulties. Musk’s America PAC hired subcontractors to perform door-to-door work in Arizona and Nevada. But with seven weeks to go, Musk’s PAC fired the sub-contractor and is now scrambling to build a canvassing organization from scratch. See The Guardian, Trump-allied Pac fires canvassing vendor in crucial states weeks before election.

All campaigns face organizing difficulties. But Trump compounded those difficulties by outsourcing volunteer activities at a time when it has also closed field offices. The point of Trump's abandonment of the ground game is to allow him to focus on advertising. But there, too, he is being outspent by the Harris-Walz campaign. See NYTimes (9/20/2024), Kamala Harris Outspends Donald Trump by Tens of Millions Online. (Behind a paywall.)

Per the NYT,

Ever since Ms. Harris entered the race, her campaign has overwhelmed the Trump operation with an avalanche of digital advertising, outspending his by tens of millions of dollars and setting off alarm among some Republicans.

None of the above is meant to suggest that it will be easy to defeat Trump. But the Harris-Walz campaign has two resources in abundance: volunteers and enthusiasm. Trump’s newly hired paid contractors will be no match for motivated true believers urging neighbors and community members to show up to vote.

Enthusiasm and genuine dedication are not being measured by horse-race polls—which explains why it feels like there is a disconnect between the reported closeness of the race and what we are seeing and experiencing.

We should not delude ourselves or fabricate “just so” stories to deny reality. But here, the reality is that we have a comparative advantage and a strategic opening. Trump has offloaded the most important part of the “get out the vote” effort and is being out-raised by the Harris-Walz campaign.

The lesson to be taken from Trump's error is not that we can ease up but that we should double-down on volunteering on the hard work of getting out the vote—in every way possible. During the next seven weeks, there is no substitute for personal involvement in getting out the vote—in whatever form that takes!

Given Trump's dual disadvantages in ground game and cash, he has pivoted to the real currency of the MAGA movement: outrage and grievance. Read on!

Trump stokes racial tensions and anti-immigrant animus to motivate his base

Faced with a fundraising deficit and an anemic ground organization, Trump has turned to outrage to motivate his followers. Even the Trump apologists at the New York Times recognize that the last two weeks have been exceptional—even by the outrage-driven heights of Trump's past campaigns. See NYTimes, Controversies Erupt as Trump and G.O.P. Make Critical Push to Voters.

Per the NYTimes,

Even by the standards of a head-spinning presidential campaign, Donald J. Trump’s campaign over the past two weeks has been tumultuous. A period that began when Mr. Trump pushed baseless claims from the debate stage that immigrants in Ohio were stealing and eating household pets ended with him facing attacks over his support of the Republican candidate for governor in North Carolina, who referred to himself as a “black Nazi” on the message board of a pornographic website. Mr. Trump has returned to the kind of attention-seeking habits honed by a career spent shaping his image in New York tabloids.

He pledged to visit Springfield, Ohio, even as local Republican officials pleaded with him to stay away, as the town continues to reel from a political firestorm ignited by his false claims. [¶¶]

The pledge to visit Springfield can only be viewed as an effort to increase racial tension and provoke anti-immigrant animus across America—with an attendant increase in the potential for violence.

In short, Trump is hoping to erase Kamala Harris’s advantages by appealing to hate and division. As the media continue to report the gaining strength of the Harris-Walz campaign, we should expect that Trump will ratchet up his incitement. While that will be hard to watch and dangerous for America, we should recognize it as a sign of increasing desperation by Trump. Do not let it deter or distract us! Instead, concentrate on getting out the vote in every way possible!!

Staff members of the Mark Robinson NC campaign for governor resign

Despite overwhelming evidence that the North Carolina GOP candidate for governor, Mark Robinson, had an active presence on porn sites where he posted pro-Nazi, racist comments, the response of the NC Republican establishment has been to deny the allegations. That tactic is designed to undermine the confidence of voters in the truth. In the GOP playbook, if nothing is true, then the truth about Trump's criminality, corruption, and anti-democratic plans is easier to deny.

But at some point, it is impossible to deny the truth. On Sunday, reports emerged that key staff members of Mark Robinson’s gubernatorial campaign have resigned. See Axios, Top Mark Robinson aides resign from North Carolina governor's campaign.

Per Axios, the top six aides in Robinson’s campaign have resigned, including the campaign manager, finance director, political director, and director of operations—all of the senior staff on the campaign.

It is difficult to imagine how the campaign can continue. Indeed, per Axios, one Republican adviser said, “the staffing overhaul "doesn't matter because the campaign was already over."

As above, the challenges faced by Republicans in North Carolina are not an excuse to relent but a strategic opening for Democrats to win up and the down the ballot—including by defeating Trump. If Republicans are going to nominate the worst of the worst MAGA extremist candidates in their effort to please the Trump base, then we should convert that tendency into our strategic advantage.

Speaker Mike Johnson proposes “clean” spending bill despite Trump's objection

Donald Trump has been pressuring Speaker Mike Johnson to force a government shutdown if Democrats did not agree to a the SAVE Act—which would impose unnecessary proof of citizenship documentation requirements on new voters. (The US has managed to hold federal elections for 235 years without requiring the onerous documentary proof imposed by the SAVE Act.) See The Hill, Mike Johnson proposes three-month funding bill to avert government shutdown.

As with other continuing resolutions, Mike Johnson will need help from Democrats to pass the bill. Johnson sent a letter to House Republicans explaining why they needed to support the proposed continuing resolution:

While this is not the solution any of us prefer, it is the most prudent path forward under the present circumstances. As history has taught and current polling affirms, shutting the government down less than 40 days from a fateful election would be an act of political malpractice.

Trump was willing to commit “political malpractice” by shutting down the government—because he believed it would help him win, even though it would have hurt congressional Republicans. As always with Trump, it about Trump—and no one else.

700+ national security leaders endorse Kamala Harris

A reader who is a member of a group of national security leaders who endorsed Kamala Harris sent me a note about the letter released by the group. See Endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States — National Security Leaders for America (nsl4a.org).

The list of signatories is truly impressive. Their letter reads, in part:

We are former public servants who swore an oath to the Constitution. Many of us risked our lives for it. We are retired generals, admirals, senior noncommissioned officers, ambassadors, and senior civilian national security leaders. We are Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. We are loyal to the ideals of our nation—like freedom, democracy, and the rule of law—not to any one individual or party. We do not agree on everything, but we all adhere to two fundamental principles. First, we believe America’s national security requires a serious and capable Commander-in-Chief. Second, we believe American democracy is invaluable. Each generation has a responsibility to defend it. That is why we, the undersigned, proudly endorse Kamala Harris to be the next President of the United States. This election is a choice between serious leadership and vengeful impulsiveness. It is a choice between democracy and authoritarianism. Vice President Harris defends America’s democratic ideals, while former President Donald Trump endangers them.

The cast of Hamilton sings “The Election of 2024”

For fans of the musical Hamilton, you must watch the current cast sing The Election of 2024. It is creative, fun, and important. And it mentions one of my favorite organizations, VoteRiders!

[Robert B. Hubbell Newsletter]

[chickenkurage]

Hey wouldn't it be funny if teen!Alan did end up introducing the sticks to his mom after talking to teen!cs!Alan and being told he could ask for money from Vic? So he does end up asking and then offers to introduce him to his mom and Vic agrees. Alan has to try to explain their backstory to his mom in the least worrying way possible while revealing the fact that there are sentient stick figures on his computer and that there's a stick figure society.

teen!Alan after getting permission from the sticks to introduce them to his mom: *nervously* hey mom, there's something I've been meaning to tell you.

Jennifer: alright?

teen!Alan: it has to do with the computer. I'll show you. *brings her the computer in his room where the sticks are waiting to meet her*

Jennifer: ... What?

teen!Alan: so the four with the hollow head shape are ones that I created. The first one is Vic, I created years ago. Right before the power shut down on my birthday... He went to a place called the outernet where there's a stick figure society. Ended up creating a powerful company and even managing to amass some human currency *intentionally ommiting why he did that*. Until recently I thought he'd died back then, but we've reconnected now. He wants to help us.

Jennifer: *stunned*

LMAOOOO THAT MAKES EARNING MONEY EASIER I GUESS XDD

Man, don't we all want a stickman that can provide us money, huh? But good for T!Alan for trusting his mom enough to introduce her to his digital stick family :)) Although, Jennifer might need to sit down for a while and listen to her son explain - JM

[trendamonium]

https://rumble.com/v4mw58c-pay-with-a-digital-chip-in-your-hand.html?mref=3fb31l&mc=4c61c

[theresattrpgforthat]

Hello, back again! I was wondering if you could recommend games that are available for free or on a pay-what-you-want basis. I’m currently on a tight budget (#collegelife) and I know many people in the same boat. I’m aware of Stars Without Number/Worlds Without Number and a couple of OSR games available in a free no-art edition like Mutant Future. Any others?

THEME: Free TTRPGS (1/2)

Oh my gosh I love this ask. Fear not dear student, I too understand the budget-decimating black hole that is academia, and I come to you with a number of recommendations, as well as helpful hints as to what to look for when you are browsing your favourite ttrpg site! (This is only 1/2) of what I've got in store for you!

1. The Free tag on Itch.io. 

When it comes to finding a free game that works for you, you might have to search a little bit to find exactly what works for you, but there is *oodles* of free, quality games that you can find on this website. I cannot stress how much I love what I find on Itch. Sometimes the core rules are free while additional supplements are what costs money, while others are just games that people wanted to design because they feel passionate about it. 

Kids & Spirits, by Marc Strocks.

I can’t sleep in the new house... Late at night I feel like somebody’s watching. Once I woke up to find a toad on my windowsill so I scared it off. Last night I went on the roof to look out onto the valley. I called out: “I know you’re out there! If somebody’s here, you better say something!” Nobody did.

But then I saw her! I swear a real-live witch flew by on her broom! Dad said witch families used to live in this countryside. They all used to cast magic and stuff together. Well, I don’t think they like each other anymore. I think the covens are at war! And they won’t stop until one destroys the other!

KIDS & SPIRITS is a Studio Ghibli-hack of Kids on Bikes! The system and setting mesh perfectly because: they're about young, impulsive people facing powers beyond their control. In a one-shot or ongoing story, create your own Hayao Miyazaki-inspired tale!

This is a pay-what-you-want game that lets you tell the Studio Ghibli movie that you desire, with tropes to inspire your characters, various kinds of dice to represent the gamut of your abilities, and the beloved Kids on Bikes character connections questions. You’ll begin play with characters who are all connected, if even just because they’ve heard rumours about each-other, and explore a city that you build together in session 0. This is an absolutely charming game, with a spiritual successor in Spiritbound, which resides in the same world but uses the system of Ironsworn. 

If you’re interested in this game, you should also check out my Google Sheets character sheets!

Crypto > exploring // dystopia :: by aseigo.

The year 2100 came and went … adoption of an untraceable digital currency freed Corporations from the State, bankrupted governments and ushered in a new era where the democratic rule of law was replaced by unchecked economic powers. Global conglomerates, self-organizing arcologies, old-money empires, and the pioneers of new frontiers are all locked in a struggle to achieve their ambitions in this world.

Welcome to the cryptoanarchy. We hope you enjoy survive your stay.

Crypto is a tabletop role playing game about exploring a possible future dystopia as citizens of the cryptoanarchy. Suitable for running games featuring cyberpunk, dark future, and/or dystopian political themes.

I check out the newest games on Itch.io pretty regularly, and this one was published not too long ago. It comes with a 68-page rulebook, Fate Cards to generate your character’s backstory, NPC templates for the GM, Character Sheets, Reference Tables, Gear, and more. There’s advice on how to make your character feel real, how to determine the unifying goal of your team, interacting with NPCs, etc. To top it all off, there’s lore that explains how the world works, how it ended up this way, what the Edgenet is, and more. If you want gritty cyberpunk with a lot tools to get you set up, you should check out Crypto. 

The Electrum Archive, by Emiel Boven.

The Electrum Archive is a science-fantasy tabletop RPG, inspired by games like The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, Ultraviolet Grasslands, Suldokar's Wake, and Cairn. It is being developed through zines that detail parts of the world of Orn and add new rules and procedures for you to use at the table.

The game is set on the world of Orn, a place long ago abandoned by an alien race now known as the Elders. The magical ink left behind in the shipwrecks of these ancient aliens is now used as currency and inhaled by warlocks as fuel for their spell casting. Adventurers called inkseekers venture out into the decaying world beyond the cities ruled over by scheming Merchant Houses to look for Elder artefacts and ink.

This is a fascinating setting with simple character creation that resonates with lovers of the OSR style of play.Your characters will have backgrounds and archetypes that set them apart, but your inventory is absolutely integral to being able to survive, as you’ll have 8 hit points or less and plenty of the monsters you go up against are likely to wipe the floor with you if you go head-to-head. With special rules for travel and exploration, this is a game for a group that wants to explore new and strange places, no matter the danger.

2. Free games on DriveThruRPG. 

This is harder to search through than Itch.io in my opinion, but sometimes the slog of looking through countless pdfs is worth it in finding a game that you’ll get some fun out of. Here’s a few that I’ve looked at in the past, to help you get past that initial hurdle.

Wicked Ones, by Bandit Camp Games. 

WICKED ONES is a Forged in the Dark tabletop RPG about a group of fantasy monsters building a dungeon, launching raids on the surface to gather a hoard, and pursuing your nefarious master plan. Along the way, there's pillaging, rituals, concoctions, contraptions, discoveries deep in the ground, dungeon rooms, traps, creatures, minions, and so much more! You build your dungeon over time throughout the campaign and no two dungeons will ever be alike. You bask in choosing the greater of two evils as your group strives to accomplish its master plan and terrorize the region around your dungeon. However, your vile deeds lure increasingly greedy and powerful adventurers into your dungeon. Can you stave off the inevitable onslaught of heroism that your notoriety brings?

Forged in the Dark games fucking slap and the fact that you can play this one for free? I had to pinch myself. There’s a lot of moving pieces in FitD games that work together, but the one I want to really shout out here is the clocks. Forget keeping track of hit points for enemies - just slap on a clock to represent how close they are to dying, running away, or calling for reinforcements. Players also get abstracted resources, like Gold, which represents wealth, and Dark Hearts, meta points that can be spent to add extra dice to a roll. Do you wanna revel in monstrosity? Do your characters want to play murder hobos? Do you like heavy improv? Check out this game.

44: A Game of Automatic Fear, by Stories You Play.

"Someone you know was just replaced by a machine. No one else knows. You are next."

44: A Game of Automatic Fear is a suspense RPG. You portray people who know a robot conspiracy called Section 44 is replacing humanity. Can you survive before the conspiracy replaces you with a machine?

Set in the backdrop of the early 1950s, a time of high paranoia, 44 works like an Alfred Hitchcock movie with sci-fi elements. The players will create characters by contemplating their personalities and abilities, while the GM will brainstorm the qualities and agents that work for Section 44. The game is part survival-horror, part investigative-mystery, as the players will have to do their best to keep themselves out of the clutches of the mysterious agency by figuring out how to differentiate the replacements from real people.

This game was one of the first games I found when I was dipping my toes into the ttrpg scene and wasn’t sure if I wanted to spend money on this hobby or not, and therefore I hold it near and dear to my heart.

Pandora London and Pandora Paris, by Cascade Studios.

The story of Pandora is one of the most famous and well known of the Greek myths, a tale told to children to encourage them to behave. It is also a lie. One of the most carefully crafted pieces of fiction ever produced in order to hide a greater truth.

Become a participant in a supernatural war that rages in secret throughout the city of London. Battle forces both magical and spiritual as you and those like you uphold the peace and hold back the night.

PANDORA uses the Cascade Roleplaying System, a streamlined version of the role playing system first seem in the Golden Age RPG. Carefully designed to allow for quick and easy character creation and simple to remember in-game systems without losing the depth and freedom of choice that make role playing games so fantastic. Pandora London is the main rulebook, while Pandora Paris provides new factions, more lore, and a new setting to send your players to.

Pandora uses small dice pools of d10s. Characters have shared Traits and unique Skill Trees according to their class, and will keep track of both Health Points and Grace Points, which are player currency to fuel re-rolls and provide bonuses. Meanwhile, in terms of theme, it’s an urban fantasy game that’s more hopeful than Urban Shadows or World of Darkness, and slightly less mythic than Scion. If you like magic mixed with the mundane, Greek Mythology, or a game about going up against supernatural monsters, you should check this game out. 

3. Small games designed from Lasers & Feelings, 24XX and Honey Heist.

One and two-page games may be rules-light and niche, but they’re also a lot of fun! As a student I especially like them because they take up way less space in a backpack than a conventional rulebook, printing them off is relatively cheap, and they’re so low-prep that I can pick them up and run them with little-to-no planning beforehand - perfect for when the GM had to study for three tests that week but still wants to run something.

Luv and Mutants, by Frames.

What will win in a fight for survival against mutated insects, harsh surroundings and other survivors - LUV or MUTANTS?

This one-page game is based on the Lasers & Feelings TTRPG. It is set in a movie inspired world, where a chemical havoc caused all cold-blooded animals to mutate and destroy most of human civilization.You play a group of survivors in this harsh world, testing your skills and teamwork. 

This game follows the standard rules of Lasers & Feelings. You choose one number between 2 and 5, and your character has 2 stats. One stat will favour rolls below your chosen number, while another will favour rolls that are higher. Hitting your chosen number means that something special happens. In Luv and Mutants, this something special is your Super Survival Instinct - you ask the GM a question and they must answer honestly, giving you a chance to change what you are doing or re-roll according to your insight.

If you like survival games or post-apocalyptic games and you don’t want a lot of prep, check out this game!

24XX PREDATORS, by Dice Ghosts.

DINOSAURS ROAM THE EARTH! A terrible earthquake has struck the biggest city in the world, releasing prehistoric creatures that were trapped beneath the earth. After quarantining the area, a team of experts has been assembled to enter the city and meet this ancient threat.

Play as a team of uniquely skilled individuals venturing into a ruined city that has become overrun by dinosaurs. Using your unique skills and training, you will need to work together to survive this metropolis of prehistoric predators and complete your mission.

24XX PREDATORS is an excellent example of the 24XX style of play. Characters are made quickly and die quickly, missions and encounters are randomly generated, and there’s even a list of dinosaurs to throw at your players! This game also has special mechanics for dinosaur and team-based mechanics - you’ll roll to determine what happens when more than one kind of dino shows up on the scene, and scattering in the moment has the ability to help or hinder you depending on what your teammates choose. If you like suspense, adventure and dinosaurs, you should absolutely check out this game.

Cephalopod Squad, by The Mirage Company.

A game about heroic squid children trying to stop evil schemes and be the coolest fish in school. 

Cephalopod Squad is a goofy hack of Honey Heist by Grant Howitt. Honey Heist games give you two stats, and start you out with 3 points in each stat. Failure in one sense moves increases one stat and decreases the other, while success moves in reverse. You will always have a way to voluntarily move your points around as well, as long as you role-play scenes that match one aspect of your character.

This particular hack is pretty much Splatoon: the roleplaying game, so finding art to represent your characters might be pretty easy! If you want a game that’s a bit goofy and light-hearted, Cephalopod Squad is a great place to start!

Finally…

Games I’ve recommended in the past.

ICON Playtest, by Massif Press.

Cairn, by Yochai Gal. 

Reclaim the Wild, by Eldritch Knight.

[icnews]

Massive 230% Gala Token Price Pump Could Be Short-Lived

[jpitha]

Just a Little Further 15

Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

I was furious. The Aviens and Mariens in charge here thought they could control us with the gift of a false translator. They watched our arrival with glee probably. Our power is self evident and were relying on naïveté in order to control us.

As I strode along towards the administration building, Ava, Fer'resi and Mei'la struggled to keep up; I was walking with purpose. "Melody!" Ava called out. "If you slow down, we can walk with you and it will look more like a precession than some retainers struggling to keep up!"

I stopped. She had a point. I dressed like this and applied my mantle in order to impress. Empresses never rushed. Everything waited for them. We took a moment to get our bearings and look around.

Maybe I shouldn't have stopped.

Everyone was watching us, staring. They weren't running, but shops put shutters down, and were bringing chairs and tables closer to exits. Nobody left but people were making sure they were behind something sturdy while still having a view of the promenade.

Interestingly, the children were not frightened. I saw a small school of kids - all different types - who were peering owlishly through an open door. I met their eyes and spread my wings just a tiny bit and ruffled them. They all laughed and cheered. I don't expect them to know who I am or what I am doing, but when a women dressed in a beautiful outfit and a crown and wings made of light waves to you, it's a great day when you're 4.

We start walking again, this time at a slightly more sedate pace. While I walk, I'm trying out things. I'm trying to grill my Nanites for information. Does this starbase have an AI?

Maybe. Some did, some didn't. We have no specific memory about this one.

Well, I don't want to start shouting into the air just yet, and we don't have some kind of communication device for this Starbase... yet. Let's continue with the original plan.

While we're walking, I turn back. "What do you think everyone?"

Ava's head is on a swivel, with wide eyes and a big grin. "This is amazing Melody, it's so much... more than any Starbases back home. I wonder if they have shopping?" She gasps. "How do they do money? I wonder if they still have currency or is it all digital? I can't wait to see."

Mei'la looks thoughtful. "They sure are wasteful with power here. I wonder if they just have that much of a surplus or if we could bring some efficiencies in and help people."

Fer'resi just looks worried. "I understand why you brought me Em-er, Melody, but I must admit I am not looking forward to this confrontation."

I scoff gently. "Confrontation? We're just going to go to the administrative offices, explain that we are willing to look at what happened as a mistake and ask for a proper translator. I'm sure it'll be fine." When I say it out loud, I realize that it probably won't go that way. But, I don't want to worry him.

That is worrying him more.

It'll be fine.

As we rounded the final corner to the administrative building, I saw it. There were barricades set up around the building, and a mix of Mariens and Aviens were standing guard every meter or so, facing out, weapons free, but not being pointed at anyone.

Uh oh.

When we got about 3 meters away, the closest one called out. "Halt! The Administrative offices are closed by order of the Regents. You must come another day."

Really?

I put my hands on my hips and looked at them. I spread my golden wings just a bit to look larger. The Aviens who spoke the order looked at me, very nervous.

"Thank you citizen." I say kindly. "I appreciate your loyalty to your supervisor, it is to be commended. Now that you have completed your task, step aside and allow us to pass. No harm will come of you - you followed your orders to tell us to leave. We will not harm you." I gesture back to my team. "As you can see, we are unarmed."

He laughed weakly. "No Builder is truly unarmed."

I nod, when you have a voice that people can be compelled to obey, he's right. I sigh. He's going to make me say it isn't he?

He wants to experience it as much as he wants to be able to say he tried to resist when his supervisor reprimands him.

Ugh, Fine.

S̴̢͖̪͍̟̟̼͓͉̫͎̯̈́́̌̄̚ͅț̴̨̧̛̠̝̙̬̪̖̽́͐̎̾̊̒̒̋͐̀͘̕͜͜͝ͅe̸̹͐̈́̈́̈̑̉͗͘͠p̶̣͓̂̏͐̉̍̎̄̆̚͝ ̷̨̡̱̦̫̘͎̘̙̭̘̟̮̣̲̣̹͛͒͋̉̔̔͝Ā̴̧̡̝̰̦̫̱̬͍̞̘̞͓̝̲̣͒̋̀͌̎̐̊̈́̍͝ş̷̧̤͈̲̺̮̬̩̜̣̗̯̹́͊́͛ͅị̵̒̂̚ḓ̶͙̳̏͌̉ḙ̵̛̩͇̰̰̺̹̥̺̥̠̲̜̀̈́̐͊̉́͂̋͌͂̅͐̕ͅ.̸̢̛̬̫̙̺̟̟̜̪̯̹͚̯̼̔̀̊̑̄̿̓̔̎̚͜͜͜͝͠

I say it as gently as I can. As one, every Aviens and Mariens moves two steps away from the barricade. The one who spoke to me shudders and sighs happily.

"Ew" I say out loud.

"What is it? Ava asks, looking

"That one-" I point to the Aviens I've been talking to "-liked it when I ordered him around."

"I mean, I get it." Ava said, blushing.

I looked back at her and raised an eyebrow. She blushed harder. "I'm just saying that lots of people really like it when a powerful, beautiful woman orders them around, they don't even have to have the Voice that compels people for them to like it."

"Like, a sex thing?" I ask, confused.

"It can be, but it doesn't have to be" Ava replied, slightly defensively.

"Do you want to be ordered around by me?" I asked. Why did I ask that? I don't know which answer I wanted to hear.

She looked away "I wouldn't... mind it." She said.

Huh. Okay.

As we walk in, once again we're in the large, open, impressive vestibule. Over in a corner is a desk where one of the insect people - I really need to learn their names - is sitting looking bored I think. They have a book open and were reading. I stride up to them.

"Hello. Please tell me where I can find Starlight on a Moonless Evening or Vivvex please." I try not to use the voice this time.

Incredibly, they look over at me and their expression does not change. They are utterly unimpressed. "The Regents are in a meeting and have stated that they are not to be disturbed. I can take a message if you would like, they will reply to you by runner within one standard month."

Amazing. They are utterly unfazed. We should keep this one when we sit upon the throne. They have a skill.

"That's not necessary." I say brightly. "Can you direct me to where the Regents are meeting?" I attempt to put just a little bit of the voice into the request.

I needn't have bothered. "They're in meeting room 345. It's on the third floor, sunward side."

I bow very slightly and the glowing wings dip just a bit. "Thank you friend. What is your name?"

"I am Fel."

"Well Fel, please don't go far. I feel that I'll have a use for you very soon."

"Yes, Empress."

I blink. "Wait, how did you know I'm the Empress?"

"You were able to get the guards out front to stand down with a word, you are dressed in a very complicated outfit, you look like the statue out front and you have glowing wings and a glowing crown"

Yes. We like this one.

"Er yes. When you explain it like that it does make sense, Thank you Fel."

"Empress." and he turns back to the book he was reading.

Up the stairs and down the hall until I'm front of a room with 345 written on a placard to the side. Next to the door I can read a little slider. One one side is "OCCUPIED" and I slide it the other way and it reads "OPEN". Offices really are the same everywhere. Huh. I feel disappointed learning that.

I try the door, and it's not even locked. Opening it, I step in and...

"I'm telling you, there's nothing to be worried about." Starlight on a Moonless Evening and Rapid River Roaring and talking to Vivvix and Zemmlin. Nobody is facing the door.

"I'm convinced they don't even know what they are" Zemmlin says. "They don't have the air of Builders, even if they look like them."

"I agree" Rapid River Roaring says, taking a sip of something from a steaming mug. "They don't have the organs for the hard work of ruling."

"If that's the case, then let the 'translator' that I gave them do its work. The problem will solve itself." Ottarn is talking over a screen from somewhere else.

I lean back out of the office - they really haven't noticed me yet - and look to Ava, Mei'la and Fer'resi and wink. Ava grins wickedly, Mei shakes her head and Fer'resi looks nervous.

With some concentration, I turn up the imperial regalia. The crown glows more intently, the wings look a little more elaborate and they start to flutter as if they are being rusted by a breeze that doesn't exit.

C̸̰̽͜e̷̡͌̀a̴̱̗̿ṡ̶̼̲̽ë̴͔̙ ̶͈͕͋̑y̶̥̓̃ö̷̪͈ù̶̢̠r̸̖̩͠ ̷̪̩͑c̵̝̾͝h̷̠̻͂a̶͇̐t̵͓͕͗t̸̯̖̋e̵̺͒r̴͈͑̕ ̶̡̟͋̎ä̴̻̝t̴̝̙̂ ̴̡̡͝o̷̢̐n̵̟̰͋ć̵̜̩̋e̵̥͕͊̔.̵͔͔̾̈́

As if I pressed the mute button, they all stopped talking. Horrified, they turn to face me. I step out so that Ottarn can see me. Interesting. I wonder if Ottarn is compelled to stop speaking, or if they're just startled. I bet the Voice doesn't work over a radio signal.

"You think us weak? You think us meek?" I lay it on thick. Ava is reveling in it. "You realize you were visited by Builders who did not yet know their true nature and you choose to hide it from them? To attempt to use them for your own ends? To further your own power? The moment I spoke the Holy Words to you, you knew your days ruling this place were numbered."

I look up at the screen. "And you. Giving my linguist a false translator when all he wanted was to better understand you and be understood. He has received his lesson he understands you better than you know. Ottarn, speak. Tell me your location."

"I-I-I am aboard our ship, Holy One The Sea-Light."

"Disembark at once and return to this building. I will await your return."

I turn to face the ones in the room. I have not given them permission to speak and they are staring at me with wide eyes, shaking with fear.

Good.

I point to Rapid River Roaring. "You. Fetch three working translators. Speak to no one."

He stands up so quickly his chair falls over. Ignoring the toppled chair he practically runs out of the meeting room.

I jab a finger at Vivvex. "You. Speak. Where is the Throne in this Starbase."

The what? What am I asking about?

The Throne is where you rule. All Starbases have one. When you visit any Starbase, that's your main location. They are usually near the docks, though not always.

"There is an entrance in the promenade, Empress. We don't know how to open it though. I swear Empress, it was the others, Rapid River Roaring and Starlight on a Moonless Evening who conspired to keep you from your right. We were nothing but unwitting pawns!"

Oh, they called me Empress instead of Holy One.

They see the writing on the wall. They are trying to save themselves. Pitiable.

Just then, Rapid River Roaring returns, out of breath. I do believe they ran the entire way. In his clawed hand are three translators on little black straps. They're meant to be worn around the waist with a subdermal connection on the throat to facilitate speaking without having a constant din of both languages. I concentrate at them for a moment and my eyes flare yellow orange.

They are true translators, Empress.

I take them from him without comment, and turn to my team. "Here. This is how you wear them. I reach over to Ava and she blushes again as I fasten it around her waist, and then paste the subdermal to her neck and put a bone conductive dot behind her ear. "Try it."

"Okay, how do I sound? Can these..." She sneers "Sapients understand me?"

I look at them. Rapid River Roaring nods and said "Yes, we understand you perfectly, Builder."

I go to Mei'la and Fer'resi and help them put their own translators on as well.

"This is so neat!" Ava looks at me and smiles. "I swear Melody. If this Empress thing doesn't work you can make some real money in the High Mars cities or the Outer Planet Alliance doing dom work. You've got an unrealized gift."

Now that she's understood, both of the Aviens feathers flutter in titillated embarrassment at what she just said of their Empress. I raise an eyebrow at them and they immediately look down and start to cower.

"No, don't cower. It grows so tiresome. Where is Ottarn?" Their looks of frightened confusion tell me they don't know either. I have a hunch. I radio FarReach. "FarReach, this is Melody, can you tell me if any of the ships in dock have moved?"

"Actually yes Melody." FarReach answers "One of the mid sized ships opposite us blew their umbilical in a shower of dust and seems to be attempting to run." Gene adds, They're having engine problems though. Their power output is very low. I don't think we'd have any trouble stopping them."

Hmm. "How long do you estimate before they reach the Gate?"

"More than a day at their current speed. Maybe even two."

"Okay, watch them, and if they get close to the point where you can't catch up to them let me know."

"Uh okay, Melody, if the Captain is fine with it."

"She will be, Gene."

"Hmm."

I turn back to the Avien and Mariens in the room. "You compatriot has abandoned you. They feel they will have better luck trying to outrun my Starjumper in their creaky old ship. Enough of this. They will receive my full attention soon enough. Lead me to the Throne."

They get up from their chairs and wordlessly leave the room. We follow them.

Part 16

[cryptoolivia]

What is USDT (Tether)? Is it a scam? (A must-read for beginners)

If you're new to cryptocurrency, you've likely heard of "USDT" or "Tether." In the news, phrases like "USDT scam" or "Tether money laundering" frequently appear, causing many newcomers to doubt the legitimacy of USDT. So, what exactly is USDT, and is it a scam? This article will explain what USDT is, its uses, and how to avoid potential scams involving it.

What is USDT (Tether)?

USDT, short for Tether, is a cryptocurrency issued by Tether Limited. Similar to other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, USDT is a virtual currency. What sets USDT apart is its 1:1 peg to the US dollar, making it a "stablecoin." In other words, 1 USDT typically equals 1 USD (with slight fluctuations). USDT is designed to function as a digital version of the dollar and is commonly used as a stable store of value in cryptocurrency trading.

Launched in 2014 under the name Realcoin, later rebranded as Tether, USDT's goal was to offer a digital asset backed by traditional currencies (primarily the US dollar), helping cryptocurrency users avoid the extreme volatility of other digital currencies. Tether operates by claiming that for every 1 USDT issued, the company holds an equivalent value in USD or other assets in reserve, thus maintaining its stable value.

Why is USDT often linked to scams?

USDT itself is not a scam; it is a legitimate cryptocurrency. The reason we often hear about "USDT scams" is that fraudsters prefer to use USDT's stability and widespread use in their schemes.

Because 1 USDT is roughly equal to 1 USD and is widely accepted across major crypto exchanges, scammers frequently use fake platforms or fraudulent investment opportunities to trick victims into buying or transferring USDT. Since USDT can be quickly converted into fiat currency or other cryptocurrencies, it's a preferred tool for scammers. However, this doesn't make USDT a scam in and of itself.

How do scammers use USDT to commit fraud?

Common methods include:

Fake exchanges: Scammers create fake cryptocurrency exchanges to steal users' personal information and funds. They may lure you into buying USDT, but you soon realize that the USDT is either fake or nonexistent.

Impersonating customer service or friends: Through social media or phishing, scammers impersonate customer service representatives or friends, tricking you into buying USDT and transferring it to them under the guise of investment or transaction needs. In reality, your funds vanish.

Phishing websites: Fraudsters create fake websites, appearing identical to official platforms, to trick users into entering their wallet private keys or passwords, enabling them to steal USDT.

How to avoid USDT-related scams?

Use trusted exchanges: Always purchase USDT through reputable cryptocurrency exchanges (such as Binance, OKX, Bitget, gate·io, bybit). These platforms are highly regulated and more secure.

Be wary of false investment opportunities: Any promise of "high returns with zero risk" should be viewed skeptically. The crypto market is highly volatile, and promises of quick profits often signal scams.

Avoid clicking on suspicious links: If you receive unfamiliar links, especially those encouraging you to buy USDT or make transactions, exercise caution to avoid phishing traps.

Does USDT always maintain a 1:1 peg to the USD?

While USDT is intended to maintain a 1:1 peg with the US dollar, slight fluctuations may occur during periods of market stress or loss of confidence in Tether's reserves. However, most of the time, USDT remains stable at around 1 USD.

For other currencies like TWD or HKD, the USDT exchange rate is influenced by market demand. In domestic markets, USDT prices may slightly differ from the direct USD exchange rate, depending on supply and demand dynamics.

Where can you buy USDT?

Through regulated cryptocurrency exchanges: The safest way to purchase USDT is through reputable global exchanges, which support various payment methods, including bank transfers and credit cards.

OTC (Over-the-Counter) dealers: In certain regions like Hong Kong, you can buy USDT at physical stores. However, exercise caution as not all stores are regulated, and scams do exist.

Avoid private transactions: Refrain from purchasing USDT through unofficial channels or individual sellers, especially those involving cash deals, as these carry high risks of fraud or theft.

Common Questions (FAQ)

How is USDT different from other cryptocurrencies? USDT is a stablecoin, meaning its value is relatively stable (around 1 USD), while other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum are highly volatile. USDT is typically used as a store of value in crypto trading, while Bitcoin, for example, is more suitable for investment.

Is USDT safe? USDT itself is safe, but due to its popularity, scammers often use it in fraudulent schemes. Always use trusted platforms to purchase USDT and remain vigilant.

Why does USDT sometimes "de-peg"? USDT can experience minor fluctuations when market confidence in Tether's reserves wanes or in times of market stress. However, these instances are usually temporary.

Is USDT a good investment for beginners? USDT is not typically seen as an investment but rather as a stable store of value. It's more like a "digital dollar" in the crypto market, ideal for transferring value rather than speculating.

Conclusion

USDT is not a scam; it's a widely used stablecoin, designed to maintain a 1:1 value with the US dollar. However, due to its popularity, it is often used by scammers as a tool for fraud. To avoid being scammed, always purchase USDT through official channels and be cautious of investment offers. Remember, all investments carry risks, and caution is key to protecting your assets.

Through this article, I hope you now have a clearer understanding of USDT and how to avoid scams involving it. If you have further questions, feel free to reach out.