Web Miscellany: Compilation #109

Hello friends!

Happy Friday! I hope the week has been good to you. Any fun plans?

This week, I got into a debate with my boyfriend over who has “normal” thumbs. From the tip of my thumb to my first knuckle curves a bit, whereas his is flat. Everyone I’ve asked has the curve. Internet searches for “thumbs” shows an even split. Care to join in the absurdity? 🤪

This is the last of my pre-drafted posts, so things may be a bit quiet as I sort out my health. Or not. We’ll see!

I hope your week to come is a good one!

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Food for thought

Hi there, can you I interest you in learning about how the US dollar has lost 98% of its purchasing power as a result of the Federal Reserve?

You see it, right? Your parents bought their first home while in college for a fraction of their annual salary, while the same home is now valued at ten times your annual salary and wholly unattainable? The cost of eggs, gas, tuition, and everything in between is far-outpacing our purchasing power. It’s not a coincidence and it’s not by accident. Here we go!

1. The Federal Reserve monetizes the government’s debt. The Treasury issues bonds, sold at auction. The Fed buys the bonds, unsecured by any collateral. Their “check” isn’t backed by anything since FDR abandoned the gold standard in 1971. So when the Fed buys $1 million in bonds, that’s $1 million in new money into the economy.
2. Then the Fed loans money to other banks. (Not-so-fun fact: the Fed is a network of privately owned banks — a private institution authorized by Congress to control the country’s money supply.) This money is created out of thin air by the Fed — and the Fed monetizes the banks’ debt, too.
3. Fractional reserves. In a free market, banks wouldn’t loan funds they don’t have. But in our banking cartel, banks can create up to $9k in new money for every $1k in deposits. But it gets much worse…
   • If the funds from that $9k loan is deposited at a bank, then 90% of that deposit can be lent — $8,100 in new money. And so on and so on, creating a cycle of spontaneously created “money” that inflates the supply, making your money worth less each time. (I called it with the stimulus checks, but no one believed me…)
   • The Fed was created as a result of conspiring politicians and bankers who met at Jekyll Island to hatch their evil plot. And they’ve succeeded, remarkably. The Fed is the reason why our money is devalued. Full stop.

I’m personally trying to safeguard a portion of my assets from monetary debasement via Bitcoin, a deflationary currency with a limited supply and stringent controls in place to prevent market manipulation. As critics will be quick to rebut it is risky and speculative at this stage; however, if you understand the technology, you may come to believe that will soon evolve from a store of value to a recognized currency. If you’re into statistics, we’re likely in the early majority phase of market penetration. Bitcoin may or may not be the answer, but we’re following the path of the Weimar Republic, as well as modern-day Argentina, Zimbabwe, Turkey, and Venezuela, so the US dollar feels like the known risk. But what do I know? 🤷

Something actionable

Don’t ask a question if the answer won’t change your behavior.

Asking such question is often a sign you’re circling and seeking more information to put off making a decision. I am repeatedly guilty of this.

Another angle is that if you’re heading into a confrontation with someone, you should go in knowing what you want them to do. For example: “I want them to apologize for x” or “I want them to stop checking their phone when we’re on talking.” Aiming for a behavioral change will get better results.

If your friend or partner “understands” how you feel without changing their behavior, will you be satisfied? Probably not. Work with them to adjust actions, rather than just words.

As Mr. Rogers would say, “There’s a world of difference between insisting on someone’s doing something and establishing an atmosphere in which that person can grow into wanting to do it.”

Just for fun

Brazil fact of the day: “The Northernmost part of Brazil is closer to Canada than it is to the Southernmost part of Brazil”

Meme of the week

There has got to be some symbolism here. 🦅