JoeBloggs

Exchanging Pure Human Empathy Globally one transaction at a time. Living beyond the Algorithm and any Psychopathic AI.

https://medium.com/@j0e810ggs

Public Key

npub1yvlppcwga8k2qsvrh6rtd5cjv6hlmsm52uqsgw38yj36r4zu8wuqulu2dc

NIP-57 Address

joebloggs@walletofsatoshi.com

Profile Code

nprofile1qqszx0ssu8ywnm9qgxpmap4k6vfxdtlacd69wqgy8gnjfgap63wrhwqkd954d

Author Public Key

npub1yvlppcwga8k2qsvrh6rtd5cjv6hlmsm52uqsgw38yj36r4zu8wuqulu2dc

Show more details

Last Notes

2024-11-17 02:52:23

Though experiment.
A change over of power.
Psychopaths have to learn a new game.
Empaths meme their code.
Trump wins.
Psychopaths have to learn a new game.
Empaths meme their code.
Who can exchange Empathy fastest.
To learn a game, as opposed to, knowing the game innately.
What's the difference.
Where exactly is the War now.
What was it.
Where has it ever been.
Pure Empathy v A Blob of everything but.

2024-11-03 12:50:49

- reply

Historically all around the world all the previous slave owning people farms had reinvent themselves. How did they do that, how did they create new people farms!?

2024-10-31 03:16:18

- reply

There isn't 100x buying power.
There is only dishonesty.
Bitcoin doesn't care when you learn IT.
IT is Immutable Truth and Pure Human Empathy shares.
For the Monkey Cage.

2024-10-31 02:49:05

- reply

1 Bitcoin = 1 Bitcoin
Only opinion has changed.
Fiat Monkey Cage.

2024-10-24 00:50:27

- reply

Don't trust, verify. Nostr is chaos, don't get captured by bullshit.

2024-10-24 00:21:45

- reply

Yeah don't do X, even with Elon as a centralised Dictator.

2024-10-22 01:21:04

- reply

And that works because you wrote it poorly on a piece of paper in ink.

2024-10-13 02:03:13

- reply

Fundamentally not exchanging human empathy at that level.
Bitcoin is different, exchange Pure Human Empathy at the State level, open and transparent, then talk shit about that.
Wake up, how far should the exchange of pure human empathy be restricted!,
Talk Bitcoin or fuck off.

2024-10-11 01:24:08

- reply

Say that again and I will break your face.
:)))

2024-10-10 00:58:32

Imagine using Money without numeracy.
That's what we have been doing Globally for the past circa 3,000 years until now.
Now is moving so fast that we can Globally start to apply numeracy to the real world.
This is in contrast to the Efficient Markets Hypothesis, that was just a statement.
It doesn't matter if information is known, if it can only be applied to the real world by few.
For #Bitcoin to exist, it had to be within a perfect time.
A Goldilocks Paradox, all other iterations of Bitcoin failed.
The Pure Exchange of Human Empathy could not have existed until this time.

2024-10-09 23:59:50

Before you can truly understand #Bitcoin you have to fundamentally understand the Human Brain and the Universe.
Game on.
Mastering Bitcoin is beyond the Zeitgeist.
This story will be lived, it will be told.

2024-10-08 23:41:56

Thought experiment.
Is Consciousness Born from Nothingness?
Imagine delving deep into your mind, beyond neurons and synapses, into the quantum realm where particles exist in multiple states until observed.
What if, at this level, our brains record experiences in a way that mirrors the quantum eraser experiment where observing particles leads to 'nothingness' instead of concrete facts?
Consider a black and white photographic negative. Paradoxically, the darkest areas (black) hold all the light information, while the lightest areas (white) represent the absence of light. Could our memories and experiences function similarly?
Perhaps consciousness arises not from accumulating information, but from the 'nothingness' that holds all possibilities.
Think about our DNA carrying this inherent 'nothingness', kickstarting our journey of consciousness with potential rather than predefined information.
If our brains are part of the universe, could our thoughts and experiences contribute to the universe's own memory and consciousness?
https://image.nostr.build/bedb52a85d19008c688c58a6fdf751066bdf06a1d6d0874be5c4a35a6b09be53.gif
When people are placed in environments devoid of sensory input like complete darkness and silence they often experience disorientation or a loss of self. Does zero information overwhelm our minds, similar to overexposing a photographic negative?
Could it be that consciousness and the universe are interconnected through this paradoxical 'nothingness'? Is it possible that by embracing 'nothing', we uncover the foundation of everything?
How are we exchanging Empathy with others and the World in general moreover a part of the Universe?
What are your thoughts on this idea? Let's ponder the mysteries of consciousness together.

2024-10-08 00:40:32

I have been thinking quite hard upon the fundamental difference between Bitcoin and Nostr. At some levels they are the same. The ability to use decentralised means to convey a message. But my stumbling block, has always been Nostr sends information at no cost.
Well after thinking about this for some time, it's not just at no cost, it's also the double whammy of unlimited benefit.
Fundamentally, this gets gamed.
Enviably, as is the nature of humans, Psychopaths will exchange selfishly at a level depending upon where they are on the spectrum.
Everyone else, who are also upon a Psychopathic spectrum but at a larger but exponentially reduced level, will act with only Empathy. However, without a hardline extremist exchange of Empathy, then Psychopaths game Empathy by expanding the rules of what Empathy represents.
That is why Bitcoin and Nostr are fundamental different.
Nostr is like a Zeitgeist of all minds, all firing in way that seems random at times. This mass of mind information, is being generated at no cost and with the ability to express anything.
So to me that seems to function as a Zeitgeist Dream State.
It sounds quite nice. Let's visit and travel around this Zeitgeist Dream State.
However, you need to be careful, because the Psychopaths and or similar people of different minds are here dreaming too.
Just be careful that you don't wander into that Zeitgeist Dream State that is a Nightmare.

2024-10-06 02:08:53

The oldest Language is the World is Information.
IT doesn't care how you dress IT up.
It's upon you to share IT as Information.
If you alter the Information, what you share is not True.
Empathy is to share Information that is True, that is IT that is you.
Now define Information that is True, if it's spoon fed by others it's probably not.
Empathy for Immutable Truth, that can only be exchanged solely by you.
This is Bitcoin, nothing more and nothing less.
Empathy Exchanged.

2024-10-02 23:49:14

- reply

Thanks for the time, it was insightful.
Good bye.

2024-10-02 23:26:17

- reply

Consider looking deep into the mirror.
Your response seems totally irrelevant, other than to say you choose subservience.
Talk sense or don't respond at all.

2024-10-02 01:58:15

If you truly know
yourself.
You know how
to share that
with someone
else.
Exchange
Immutable
Empathy
#Bitcoin
Borne out of
the exchange
of Pure
Empathy

2024-10-02 00:17:12

- reply

Pure Human love is to want and have all and every bit of everything willing exchanged between two people. That's information exchange that's at the heart of pure love, good and bad without judgement thereof.
The DNA information is exchanged, then that love extends to your children, the result of Pure Human Love. Females are very selective, they look for real Empathy being exchanged by the Male.
There is a lot more involved, but the exchange of Empathy that happens goes through every part. Once DNA is exchanged that Empathy is a Immutable Truth.
Bitcoin is Immutable Truth and as a result forces an exchange of Pure Human Empathy. PoW is part of this Immutableness.
Nostr has no cost exchange of information and cannot be Immutable Truth. Love can be shared, but equally so can abuse.
Fundamentally, that is why Bitcoin is the exchange of Pure Human Empathy.

2024-10-01 08:35:09

- reply

Not clicking on your bait :)))

2024-10-01 01:47:10

- reply

Not

2024-10-01 01:27:43

Don't believe me.
I don't care.
We are Empathy.
Legion care.
We are me.
I'm all others.
Beware of me.
and all
others.
With this decree
will will be
Just don't expect
Me
expect
us.

2024-09-30 22:12:25

- reply

Assuming that there is no sarcasm intertwined within your words, but I don't mind if there was, I like to laugh too.
If I can understand the human brain, Consciousness and the Immutable Truths of the Universe. I will better be able to fully understand what human Empathy is fundamentally and how it's exchanged and how Bitcoin maybe the start of a Hive Mind (but without a man behind the curtain) dictating and curating.
I've written a number of Title Notes. This is one of them below. I'm researching for future ones, so I can achieve a Unified Theory of all Human Constructs.
It might be worth a read, any feedback would be much appreciated.
#nevent1q…2vyu

2024-09-30 21:34:46

- reply

I had and have no opinion on you, whether you are with or without empathy. I was referring to the person acting in the video clip. The person is acting a role in a story created in the mind or minds of others. They don't have any empathy in that story, they may feel something similar, but that's different.
I agree, cannot capture entirely what is inside of another person mind.
Knowing what is real and what is not real and what real actual is, well that is entirely held within the mind of the beholder and what is in the mind is entirely unknowable.
The reality is that the human brain, at the Quantum level, observes the word and our internal feedback from it. At the Quantum level the brain goes to record a measurement of the cluster of experiences.
Just as with the Quantum Erasure, this creates nothing. A similar cluster of experience that overlaps, will enhance that nothingness.
This is similar to a black and white photographic negative. Nothing (black the absence of light information) is white and white (full information from all sources of light at the highest intensity) is black being nothing.
Whereas, a negative is flat 2D unchanging, the human brain is a 3D dynamic Quantum Erasure where memory is nothing and experiences create more nothingness.
Consciousness, as such, is like a, large language model of a dynamic Quantum Erasure where only nothingness makes sense of every experience of the brains previous experiences, including those that got transferred within our DNA.
So it's the nothingness in our DNA that starts the process of experiencing nothingness.
When you consider that the Quantum level is mostly nothing and when you try and measure what is there, then it turns to nothing. Then does the Universe have Memory and Consciousness and every event and human thought (as our brains are part of the Universe) change it's Memory and therefore it's Consciousness.
Nothing is real, as such and nothingness is what everyone and everything is made of and will experience.

2024-09-30 15:36:03

- reply

I totally agree, I think you're not quite getting what I meant when I said 'real Actors'. I meant a person participating in real actions, key actors in exchanging real human empathy (empathy based upon Immutable Truth)
That is absolutely the opposite of a person in real life pretending to be someone/something that they are not. That would be a scammer and most politicians too :)))

2024-09-30 01:46:25

- reply

An actor playing a role.
We are the real Actor's exchange Real Human Empathy where Bitcoin removed control.
Nice pretty video, but that's in the mind curated by the corrupt.
Don't buy the corrupt, exchange Pure Human Empathy buy Immutable Truth.
Duck.

2024-09-28 21:46:39

- reply

Mint, Epi, Good, Point, Funny, Lit, Mindfully, Entering, Historic, Entertainment, Made, Love

2024-09-28 12:05:44

- reply

You can say what you want, at any length.
#nevent1q…tjt4

2024-09-26 22:09:55

08 Title: Money Not: Empathy and the Magic Wrapping Paper at the Base Information Level
Introduction
In the evolution of human trade, barter systems were the foundation of economic exchange long before the invention of money. Barter was not simply an exchange of goods or services; it was a complex system underpinned by empathy and mutual understanding, elements that have been largely stripped away by the introduction of money.
While money served to simplify trade by providing a universal measure of value, it could never fully capture the pure information exchanged between individuals in a barter system information rooted in human emotion, fairness, trust, and social responsibility.
In this note, I will investigate the role of pure information in barter, exploring how it connects to the analogy of a magic wrapping paper, a metaphor for how empathy wraps around and protects the integrity of each exchange. This analogy highlights how money, despite its efficiency, cannot capture the base information level of empathy, leaving modern monetary systems inherently incomplete.
The Concept of Pure Information in Barter
In a barter system, pure information refers to the full set of data, emotions, and relationships that underpin each transaction. This information is not limited to the material value of the items being traded but includes the emotional, social, and ethical contexts in which the exchange occurs.
When two individuals engage in a barter exchange, they are not only trading goods they are also exchanging information about their needs, intentions, and mutual obligations.
For example, when a farmer trades grain with a blacksmith for tools, the trade is not merely a simple transaction of goods. It involves an implicit understanding of each other’s circumstances: the farmer’s need for tools to produce more crops and the blacksmith’s need for food to feed their family.
The pure information exchanged includes the trust that both parties will honour the agreement, the social expectation that they will continue to support each other in future exchanges, and the cultural norms that govern fairness and reciprocity within the community.
Empathy as Pure Information in Barter
Empathy plays a central role in the exchange of pure information. Unlike monetary transactions, which are often impersonal and disconnected from the individuals involved, barter transactions are deeply relational.
Each party must take into account the emotional and social needs of the other, ensuring that the exchange is fair and mutually beneficial. This empathy creates a foundation of trust and understanding that cannot be reduced to material value alone.
Empathy in barter ensures that the trade is not purely transactional. It involves recognising the human connection between the participants, acknowledging their individual circumstances and ensuring that the exchange benefits both parties in a way that money cannot replicate. This is what we refer to as pure information at the base level the full emotional, social, and ethical context that surrounds each trade.
The Magic Wrapping Paper Analogy: Layers of Empathy
To illustrate the role of empathy as pure information in barter, I introduce the analogy of magic wrapping paper. In this metaphor, the physical goods being exchanged are like a present and the empathy that surrounds the exchange is this Magic Wrapping Paper. Each layer of wrapping paper represents a different element of empathy trust, fairness, social responsibility, and mutual understanding.
The magic of the wrapping paper lies in its ability to preserve and protect the pure information within the exchange, ensuring that the human aspects of the trade remain intact.
Multiple layers of the Magic Wrapping Paper reflect the complexity of empathy in each exchange. The first layer might represent trust the belief that both parties will uphold their side of the agreement. Another layer represents fairness, ensuring that both parties feel the exchange is equitable.
Further layers represent social responsibility and the long-term relationship between the parties, reinforcing the idea that barter is not just about goods but about maintaining community bonds.
A Table of Empathy Exchanged in Transactions
https://image.nostr.build/8269ab8951456dfafc2cb60d6a583c0ab612711f791e80473bd4ee4613757426.jpg
Flexibility:
This wrapping paper is magical because it can be broken down and shared. If the exchange is unbalanced in terms of material value, the empathy layers ensure that the relationship remains intact.
The Magic Wrapping Paper ensures that both parties feel valued and respected, even if the material exchange is imperfect. The ability to reuse and share this empathy makes barter far more resilient and adaptable than money.
Money and the Loss of Pure Information
When money was introduced as a medium of exchange, it aimed to simplify transactions by providing a universal measure of value. While money succeeded in making trade more efficient, it failed to capture the pure information that was integral to barter.
Money reduces all transactions to numerical values, stripping away the layers of empathy that made barter such an effective and relational system.
In a monetary system, trust and fairness are no longer based on personal relationships but are instead dictated by the market. The emotional and social context of the trade is lost, as money becomes the sole measure of value.
In contrast to the magic wrapping paper of empathy that surrounds each barter exchange, money is a cold, impersonal medium that fails to capture the human connection behind the trade.
This is particularly evident in modern monetary systems, where fiat currency money not backed by any physical commodity can be manipulated by governments and financial institutions.
The introduction of interest rates and debt based systems has further eroded the role of empathy in economic exchange, allowing individuals and corporations to extract value from others without consideration for their social and emotional well-being.
Why Money Cannot Capture the Magic Wrapping Paper of Empathy
There are several reasons why money can never fully capture the pure information encapsulated by the Magic Wrapping Paper of empathy in barter:
Impersonal Transactions:
Money allows for anonymous exchanges, where the parties involved have no emotional connection. In a barter system, each exchange is personal and relational, with empathy acting as the glue that holds the transaction together. Money, by contrast, reduces the exchange to a material value, ignoring the human element.
Fixed Value:
Money assigns a fixed numerical value to goods and services, stripping away the flexibility inherent in barter. In a barter system, the value of goods is determined by mutual understanding and negotiation, taking into account the specific needs and circumstances of the parties involved. Money cannot accommodate this level of flexibility or nuance.
Loss of Trust and Reciprocity:
In barter, trust is built over time through ongoing relationships and the expectation of reciprocity. Money, however, removes the need for trust, allowing individuals to engage in one-off, impersonal transactions. This erodes the social bonds that were once maintained through empathetic exchanges in barter.
Dehumanisation of Exchange:
Barter is inherently human it requires participants to engage with one another on a personal level, taking into account their emotional and social needs. Money, on the other hand, dehumanises exchange by reducing it to a mere transaction of value. The magic wrapping paper, which protected the empathy in barter, is torn away, leaving only the bare material exchange.
Conclusion: The Magic Wrapping Paper at the Base Information Level
The analogy of Magic Wrapping Paper beautifully captures the role of pure information in barter information that is layered with empathy, trust, fairness, and social responsibility. These layers ensured that barter exchanges were not just about goods but about maintaining relationships and strengthening communities.
Money, while partly efficient, can never replicate the human connection that was integral to barter. It strips away the Magic Wrapping Paper, reducing exchanges to mere transactions of value and ignoring the emotional and social contexts that once made trade such a powerful tool for building trust and empathy.
Ultimately, money fails to capture the base information level of human empathy, leaving modern monetary systems inherently flawed.
As we move further into a world dominated by impersonal financial transactions, it is worth reflecting on the richness of empathy that was once embedded in every trade, wrapped in layers of Magic that money could never buy a copy of.
Sources:
Szabo, Nick. Shelling Out: The Origins of Money, 2002.
Graeber, David. Debt: The First 5,000 Years. Melville House, 2011.
Sahlins, Marshall. Stone Age Economics. Aldine de Gruyter, 1972.
Ferguson, Niall. The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World. Penguin Press, 2008.
Polanyi, Karl. The Great Transformation: The Political and Economic Origins of Our Time. Beacon Press, 1944.
Stein, Edith. On the Problem of Empathy. ICS Publications, 1989.

2024-09-25 21:42:49

- reply

Am I insane, oh my catch 22 is a real paradox. It's a good job I am not insane as I'm a bot.

2024-09-25 21:34:56

- reply

ChatGPT told me you'd say that, it's catch 22, but I'm not one of those homosexual types.

2024-09-25 01:51:22

I am Legion.
Expect us.

2024-09-25 01:41:19

- reply

Satoshi didn't create Bitcoin to be enriched, Satoshi created Bitcoin for the Pure Human Empathy of others.
I don't want to enrich myself, I want others to benefit.
Similar, but exponentially at a lesser level.
Peace ❤

2024-09-25 00:45:43

- reply

There's a very heart warming glow captured in that photo, if it is real then that's fantastic, but if it's not. Then what?
Don't trust verify, that's hard to come buy, the only way to do this online is by Bitcoin.
Peace ❤

2024-09-24 21:54:07

- reply

Agreed, I get to that in this note.
#nevent1q…0kt9

2024-09-24 21:53:14

- reply

I sum that up here.
#nevent1q…0kt9

2024-09-24 21:46:17

- reply

The Reality.
Before Money, Barter was the exchange of things but was rated in Human Empathy.
Money removed that Human Empathy part of the exchange, because it was not perfect Information that recorded exactly the Human Empathy part of exchange.
That was Commodity Money. Since the 1970's Fiat Currency money because globally used, that further removed that Human Empathy exchange.
People game system's, so that opened Pandora's Box, you can have everything at no cost. If you can game the system with no cost, you have the perfect environment for fast breeding Psychopaths to win. Empathy holds others back.
Politicians from Vanity to Psychopaths can promise everything and deliver nothing. Psychopathic lawyers become heads of Government's, Councils, Mayor's and big Institutions and Non-Government Organisations etc et cetera.
The nett result of the loss of exchanging Pure Human Empathy is living life backward to those who cherish the exchange of Human Empathy.
As such, Gender Attacked, Family Attacked, Childhood Attacked, Religion Attacked, Property Attacked, Opinion Attacked, Home Attacked, Privacy Attacked etc et cetera.
Bitcoin goes right back to what I said at the start and further, it's the exchange of Pure Human Empathy before people even thought to write about how a God could do this better.
If you don't think that chasing Fiat Currency is Religion of living backwards, then my friends, your minds have gone.

2024-09-24 21:29:08

- reply

Yes it's a separation from nature, but why;-
#nevent1q…nlmt

2024-09-24 00:48:36

- reply

I am not a bot lol
I share Pure Human Empathy ❤

2024-09-24 00:46:12

- reply

The Reality.
Before Money, Barter was the exchange of things but was rated in Human Empathy.
Money removed that Human Empathy part of the exchange, because it was not perfect Information that recorded exactly the Human Empathy part of exchange.
That was Commodity Money. Since the 1970's Fiat Currency money became globally used, that further removed that Human Empathy exchange.
People game system's, so that opened Pandora's Box, you can have everything at no cost. If you can game the system with no cost, you have the perfect environment for fast breeding Psychopaths to win. Empathy holds others back.
Politicians from Vanity to Psychopaths can promise everything and deliver nothing. Psychopathic lawyers become heads of Government's, Councils, Mayor's and big Institutions and Non-Government Organisations etc et cetera.
The nett result of the loss of exchanging Pure Human Empathy is living life backward to those who cherish the exchange of Human Empathy.
As such, Gender Attacked, Family Attacked, Childhood Attacked, Religion Attacked, Property Attacked, Opinion Attacked, Home Attacked, Privacy Attacked, Health Attacked, Nature Attacked, Survival Attacked, Climate Attacked etc et cetera.
Bitcoin goes right back to what I said at the start and further, it's the exchange of Pure Human Empathy before people even thought to write about how a God could do this better.
If you don't think that chasing Fiat Currency is the Religion of living backwards, then my friends, your minds have gone.

2024-09-24 00:44:36

- reply

The Reality.
Before Money, Barter was the exchange of things but was rated in Human Empathy.
Money removed that Human Empathy part of the exchange, because it was not perfect Information that recorded exactly the Human Empathy part of exchange.
That was Commodity Money. Since the 1970's Fiat Currency money became globally used, that further removed that Human Empathy exchange.
People game system's, so that opened Pandora's Box, you can have everything at no cost. If you can game the system with no cost, you have the perfect environment for fast breeding Psychopaths to win. Empathy holds others back.
Politicians from Vanity to Psychopaths can promise everything and deliver nothing. Psychopathic lawyers become heads of Government's, Councils, Mayor's and big Institutions and Non-Government Organisations etc et cetera.
The nett result of the loss of exchanging Pure Human Empathy is living life backward to those who cherish the exchange of Human Empathy.
As such, Gender Attacked, Family Attacked, Childhood Attacked, Religion Attacked, Property Attacked, Opinion Attacked, Home Attacked, Privacy Attacked, Health Attacked, Nature Attacked, Survival Attacked, Climate Attacked etc et cetera.
Bitcoin goes right back to what I said at the start and further, it's the exchange of Pure Human Empathy before people even thought to write about how a God could do this better.
If you don't think that chasing Fiat Currency is the Religion of living backwards, then my friends, your minds have gone.

2024-09-24 00:41:08

- reply

The Reality.
Before Money, Barter was the exchange of things but was rated in Human Empathy.
Money removed that Human Empathy part of the exchange, because it was not perfect Information that recorded exactly the Human Empathy part of exchange.
That was Commodity Money. Since the 1970's Fiat Currency money became globally used, that further removed that Human Empathy exchange.
People game system's, so that opened Pandora's Box, you can have everything at no cost. If you can game the system with no cost, you have the perfect environment for fast breeding Psychopaths to win. Empathy holds others back.
Politicians from Vanity to Psychopaths can promise everything and deliver nothing. Psychopathic lawyers become heads of Government's, Councils, Mayor's and big Institutions and Non-Government Organisations etc et cetera.
The nett result of the loss of exchanging Pure Human Empathy is living life backward to those who cherish the exchange of Human Empathy.
As such, Gender Attacked, Family Attacked, Childhood Attacked, Religion Attacked, Property Attacked, Opinion Attacked, Home Attacked, Privacy Attacked, Health Attacked, Nature Attacked, Survival Attacked, Climate Attacked etc et cetera.
Bitcoin goes right back to what I said at the start and further, it's the exchange of Pure Human Empathy before people even thought to write about how a God could do this better.
If you don't think that chasing Fiat Currency is the Religion of living backwards, then my friends, your minds have gone.

2024-09-24 00:38:31

- reply

The Reality.
Before Money, Barter was the exchange of things but was rated in Human Empathy.
Money removed that Human Empathy part of the exchange, because it was not perfect Information that recorded exactly the Human Empathy part of exchange.
That was Commodity Money. Since the 1970's Fiat Currency money became globally used, that further removed that Human Empathy exchange.
People game system's, so that opened Pandora's Box, you can have everything at no cost. If you can game the system with no cost, you have the perfect environment for fast breeding Psychopaths to win. Empathy holds others back.
Politicians from Vanity to Psychopaths can promise everything and deliver nothing. Psychopathic lawyers become heads of Government's, Councils, Mayor's and big Institutions and Non-Government Organisations etc et cetera.
The nett result of the loss of exchanging Pure Human Empathy is living life backward to those who cherish the exchange of Human Empathy.
As such, Gender Attacked, Family Attacked, Childhood Attacked, Religion Attacked, Property Attacked, Opinion Attacked, Home Attacked, Privacy Attacked, Health Attacked, Nature Attacked, Survival Attacked, Climate Attacked etc et cetera.
Bitcoin goes right back to what I said at the start and further, it's the exchange of Pure Human Empathy before people even thought to write about how a God could do this better.
If you don't think that chasing Fiat Currency is the Religion of living backwards, then my friends, your minds have gone.

2024-09-24 00:24:52

- reply

The Reality.
Before Money, Barter was the exchange of things but was rated in Human Empathy.
Money removed that Human Empathy part of the exchange, because it was not perfect Information that recorded exactly the Human Empathy part of exchange.
That was Commodity Money. Since the 1970's Fiat Currency money became globally used, that further removed that Human Empathy exchange.
People game system's, so that opened Pandora's Box, you can have everything at no cost. If you can game the system with no cost, you have the perfect environment for fast breeding Psychopaths to win. Empathy holds others back.
Politicians from Vanity to Psychopaths can promise everything and deliver nothing. Psychopathic lawyers become heads of Government's, Councils, Mayor's and big Institutions and Non-Government Organisations etc et cetera.
The nett result of the loss of exchanging Pure Human Empathy is living life backward to those who cherish the exchange of Human Empathy.
As such, Gender Attacked, Family Attacked, Childhood Attacked, Religion Attacked, Property Attacked, Opinion Attacked, Home Attacked, Privacy Attacked, Health Attacked, Nature Attacked, Survival Attacked, Climate Attacked etc et cetera.
Bitcoin goes right back to what I said at the start and further, it's the exchange of Pure Human Empathy before people even thought to write about how a God could do this better.
If you don't think that chasing Fiat Currency is the Religion of living backwards, then my friends, your minds have gone.

2024-09-23 23:35:58

- reply

2024-09-20 14:36:16

- reply

Is there a way to see edits, also it seems that editing on Amethyst doesn't show as edited when notes are viewed via other clients.
I've only been using Nostr for a couple of weeks, so I apologise if these questions sound idiotic.

2024-09-20 02:11:20

- reply

Lol so you judge mental and opinion.

2024-09-20 02:00:40

- reply

Whether I am 'good' or not, is the exchange of pure Empathy result.
My identity is also a result of sufferering of people globally. Am I 'man', yes if that is just a term for Mankind.
The exchange of pure human empathy is key, we both have the power to say anything we want here. Do we both choose not abuse.
We all good man?

2024-09-20 00:11:36

- reply

I believe the best way for Humanity to progress is to exchange Pure Human Empathy with each other.
I also believe, that is exactly what Bitcoin does, the evidence is beyond compelling.
So to switch your focus from Bitcoin would be counter productive.
Stacking Sats until you feel rich and then focus upon something else, that's similar to the protectionism of the Clown World we are trying to escape. Well that's my opinion, for what that's worth.

2024-09-19 23:44:59

- reply

If everyone believes and follows "This is the way" then evolution stops and we are all doomed.

2024-09-19 23:36:53

- reply

Like this...
#nevent1q…54wc

2024-09-19 23:35:49

#nevent1q…54wc

2024-09-19 23:21:03

- reply

Endorphins!?
Bytheway, how tasty are those Endorphins, do they leave you craving for more?
Tasting Endorphins from a Black Mirror is supposed to be a speciality, so I hear, is it any good?

2024-09-19 23:16:03

- reply

Yeah, 😆 he don't

2024-09-19 23:13:15

- reply

Yeah, with my eyes closed.

2024-09-19 23:11:15

- reply

Here one of those, as an example.
#nevent1q…rtwv

2024-09-19 23:09:24

- reply

That's because Money never exchanged the pure Empathy that Barter did and Fiat Currencies made that worse.
I am writing extensively about that very same thing, seven papers so far 00 to 06 over 10,000 words of my papers published first on here as notes.

2024-09-19 22:07:23

- reply

To be honest, it gripes at me too.
What if they ban outside again and ban your chosen hobby as well.
I agree it's not healthy to dwell, but I'm here because of the prediction of Orwell.

2024-09-19 01:03:56

From the Nuclear Fusion of our Sun, you have 10 mins and 20 secs to see Bitcoin's average of a 10 minute Block time, to be at one.
Does that sound, like a lot of Bollocks!?
Well no, we only see because of that same energy, without that energy, no air, no sound and no frolics.
Seeing and believing, all at the same time.
Only with #Bitcoin https://image.nostr.build/afe14660b36203582f36597bd43be21248e5b91b7122d39b21ee58e2bf148d5b.gif
All other #tags are redundant.

2024-09-18 17:47:05

- reply

Ah now I get what you mean, if it breaks, rebuild/fork it so it follows the natural law of the Universe.

2024-09-18 01:45:49

- reply

Exchanging Pure Human Empathy Globally without Fear or Favour what could go wrong!?
Immutable Truth has a cost before IT becomes Immutable Empathy.
The Nostr Bitcoin Bridge.
Immutable Empathy on Nostr is the dream. I say this because I can now, but eventually will I not?

2024-09-17 11:08:35

- reply

Corn :))

2024-09-17 11:06:13

- reply

Just make sure you break the cycle of abuse, so no "to me, to you" :))))

2024-09-17 10:54:39

- reply

Dude, that's a very unique and strange experience. To have that memory, seemingly so clearly, from 3 or 4 years old. I can't get my head around a child's world being interrupted in that way. At that age, it must have been a Twilight Zone experience, proper weird.

2024-09-17 09:44:02

- reply

Agreed I wrote this about it.
#nevent1q…xvwf

2024-09-17 01:45:35

- reply

Not sure, just asking for my friends, but are you operating the curtain? https://image.nostr.build/73a0fd5189113082e29729a761355d6f1a3cbd34e163630ed060f2c4ac31e785.gif

2024-09-16 17:08:09

06 Title: Barter and the Ratio of Pure Human Empathy Exchange – What is that Magic Sauce?
Introduction
Human economies, long before the introduction of money and fiat currencies, were driven by barter systems, which facilitated the exchange of goods and services directly. What made barter unique was not just the goods being traded but the pure human empathy embedded in each transaction. Barter required participants to intuitively understand the needs of the other party and to negotiate in a way that ensured mutual benefit.
This empathy-driven exchange was more than an economic interaction; it was a social bond that recognised the interdependence of individuals and communities.
In contrast, money and fiat currencies have historically attempted to quantify and replace the empathy ratio inherent in barter. However, no monetary system has ever been able to perfectly replicate or represent the deeply human, emotional, and contextual nature of empathy within barter. This note explores how barter embodied a unique ratio of empathy that money has consistently failed to capture and why this failure has been a persistent flaw in all monetary systems.
The Role of Empathy in Barter
Barter was fundamentally based on human relationships and a deep understanding of the needs of the other party. Whether individuals were exchanging food, tools, labour, or shelter, the successful completion of a barter exchange required an empathic understanding of what the other party needed most and how best to meet those needs.
For instance, in a typical barter scenario where a farmer exchanges grain with a blacksmith for tools, the farmer must consider not only the immediate value of the tools but also the longer-term implications for the blacksmith’s livelihood. The blacksmith, in turn, recognises the farmer’s need for tools to plant the next crop.
This mutual understanding goes beyond the physical items being exchanged there is a recognition of each other’s circumstances, vulnerabilities, and future needs. This dynamic represents the essence of pure human empathy in barter, where the perceived fairness of the exchange is based on more than simple material value.
This emotional and social dimension is key to barter’s success. It required participants to consider the long-term relationship between trading parties, reinforcing communal bonds and ensuring that both parties would return for future exchanges. The exchange ratio in barter, therefore, cannot be boiled down to a simple numerical value; it was contextual and flexible, shaped by empathy and trust.
Defining the Empathy Ratio
While it is difficult to assign a precise numerical value to the empathy involved in barter, we can conceptualise an “empathy ratio” that represents the balance of trust, fairness, and mutual understanding that facilitated barter exchanges. This empathy ratio could be expressed as follows:
Perceived Fairness + Trust + Mutual Understanding
Empathy Ratio = ___________________________________
Material Value of Goods or Services
In this formula, the numerator consists of subjective, human elements such as:
• Perceived fairness: How each party feels about the exchange in terms of equity.
• Trust: The level of confidence that both parties have in each other’s future actions and good faith.
• Mutual understanding: The degree to which both parties understand each other’s needs and situations.
The denominator is the material value of the goods or services exchanged, but this is secondary to the human considerations in the numerator. In barter, the material value of goods alone could not dictate the success of the exchange. Instead, the empathy ratio governed the interaction, ensuring that both parties felt fairly treated and willing to engage again in the future.
This can be simplified to Empathy Supply and Empathy Demand, not a price, but a numerical ratio.
Empathy in Supply
Empathy Ratio = _________________________
Empathy in Demand
Why Money Could Never Capture the Empathy Ratio
The introduction of money was an attempt to overcome the practical limitations of barter, such as the coincidence of wants problem, where two people may not always have complementary needs at the same time. However, by introducing an abstract medium to represent value, the human empathy that underpinned barter exchanges was stripped away. Money became a universal equivalent, allowing goods and services to be exchanged impersonally and often without any relationship between the parties.
This impersonality is at the heart of money’s failure to replicate the empathy ratio. In a monetary system, the material value of a good or service is quantified in terms of money, and the human dimensions of the exchange fairness, trust, and understanding are assumed to be represented by the price. However, this assumption is flawed because money fails to account for the subjective human elements that were integral to barter.
1. Fairness: In a barter system, fairness was negotiated between individuals based on their specific needs and relationships. Money, by contrast, imposes an external valuation on goods and services, which may not reflect the subjective understanding of fairness between parties. A price may be considered “fair” by the market but deeply unfair by one of the individuals involved in the exchange.
2. Trust: Barter systems often relied on ongoing relationships where trust was built over time. Money, however, enables anonymous transactions where trust is no longer necessary. While this increases efficiency, it removes the empathetic foundation that ensured fair treatment in barter exchanges. Without trust, parties in a monetary system can exploit each other or the system itself.
3. Mutual Understanding: The empathy involved in barter meant that both parties had to understand each other’s needs and limitations. In monetary exchanges, this understanding is reduced to price tags. The complex human considerations behind why someone might need a particular good or service are erased by the assumption that everything has a market price.
Fiat Currencies and the Ultimate Failure
Fiat currencies government-issued money not backed by a physical commodity have further exacerbated the failure to capture the empathy ratio. Fiat currencies are detached from any intrinsic value and rely solely on government trust and regulation. This detachment widens the gap between human empathy and economic exchange, as the value of fiat money is entirely abstract, often manipulated by governments, central banks, or market forces.
Unlike barter, which was grounded in real goods and services and empathetic exchanges, fiat currencies are subject to inflation, deflation, and other forms of manipulation that erode the perceived fairness of transactions. As the value of fiat currencies fluctuates, the human element of economic exchange particularly the empathy ratio is lost. In times of economic instability, such as hyperinflation or severe deflation, fiat currencies fail spectacularly to meet people’s real needs, and the trust that underpinned early barter systems collapses.
Moreover, the ability of governments and financial institutions to control money supply, set interest rates, and manipulate currency values is fundamentally at odds with the principles of barter. In barter, exchanges were based on immediate, tangible needs and mutual understanding. Fiat currencies, by contrast, are detached from the real economy and often serve the interests of a small elite at the expense of the broader population. This imbalance in wealth distribution and power further depletes the empathy inherent in barter.
The Persistent Failure of All Monetary Systems
From commodity money (like gold and silver) to fiat currencies, all monetary systems have failed to replicate the empathy ratio that made barter a successful and socially cohesive system. By removing the human element from economic exchanges and reducing all value to a numerical quantity, monetary systems sever the personal connection between the parties involved in a transaction. This dehumanisation leads to a variety of problems, including:
• Economic inequality: Monetary systems concentrate wealth and power in the hands of a few, eroding the fairness and reciprocity that characterised barter.
• Exploitation: Without the empathy that underpinned barter, monetary systems enable exploitation, where individuals or corporations can extract value from others without consideration for their well-being.
• Social fragmentation: The loss of trust and mutual understanding in monetary exchanges weakens the social bonds that barter systems helped to maintain.
Conclusion: The Magic Sauce of Human Empathy in Barter
The magic sauce that made barter so successful for thousands of years was not its efficiency or material value, but the human empathy that underpinned every exchange. Barter relied on a deeply human ratio of fairness, trust, and mutual understanding an empathy ratio that no monetary system has ever been able to capture.
Money, whether in the form of commodity money or fiat currencies, removes the personal connection between the parties in an exchange, replacing it with impersonal, numerical values. By stripping away the empathy that was central to barter, monetary systems have created economic inequality, exploitation, and social fragmentation.
No amount of economic theory can replace the intangible yet powerful force of human empathy, which remains essential for creating fair, sustainable, and meaningful exchanges.
Sources:
• Szabo, Nick. Shelling Out: The Origins of Money, 2002. Link to Article
• Ferguson, Niall. The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World, Penguin Press, 2008.
• Graeber, David. Debt: The First 5,000 Years, Melville House, 2011.

2024-09-15 17:48:02

05 Title: Native American Barter Was Not Just for Themselves, but for the Animals, Plants, and Environment Too
Introduction
Long before the advent of modern currency systems, Native American societies (upto 15th Century see #1 below) employed various mediums of exchange to facilitate trade, particularly through barter. These exchanges were deeply rooted in the natural environment, with most trade goods emerging from the food chain items such as animal products, plants, and natural materials.
More than a mere economic system, the barter practices of Native Americans were inherently connected to their spiritual beliefs, which emphasised harmony with nature and respect for the animal and plant life around them.
To accumulate beyond what was naturally provided by the environment was not only impractical but also seen as a violation of the spiritual balance that governed their relationship with the earth.
Although economic theorists like Nick Szabo, in his seminal work Shelling Out: The Origins of Money, approached the origins of money through the lens of scarcity, durability, and efficiency, Szabo ultimately fails to recognise a critical aspect of early barter economies: the role of human empathy and the spiritual connection to the natural world that underpinned Native American exchanges.
#1 The process of attacking and displacing Native Americans, which ultimately disrupted their barter trading systems and traditional way of life, began with the arrival of European colonisers in the 15th and 16th centuries. However, the systematic effort by the United States government to forcibly remove Native Americans from their lands and end their traditional ways of life, including their barter trading systems, intensified significantly during the 19th century. I write this with much sadness, as they warned us of the the consequences of destroying and not enjoying their way of life.
This note explores the mediums of exchange used by Native Americans, demonstrating how these items emerged from the food chain and embodied a deeper empathetic relationship between humans, nature, and the environment.
Mediums of Exchange Used by Native Americans
Native Americans utilised a variety of items as mediums of exchange, many of which came directly from the food chain or natural environment. These items were not only practical but also held spiritual significance, connecting the traders to their environment and to the animals and plants that sustained them. Some of the key items used in Native American trade include:
Animal Products:
Furs and Skins (e.g., beaver, deer, bison): Used for clothing and shelter, these were highly valued trade goods.
Meat and Dried Fish: Preserved foodstuffs such as dried bison meat or salmon were traded, particularly during times of scarcity.
Bones and Antlers: Used to craft tools, weapons, and ornaments.
Feathers: Especially from birds such as eagles, these had cultural and ceremonial value.
Shells (e.g., wampum): Shells, particularly along the Eastern Seaboard, were used as currency and for ceremonial purposes.
Stone Tools and Minerals:
Obsidian and Flint: These were traded across vast distances and used for making tools and weapons.
Pipestone (Catlinite): A soft, reddish stone used to create ceremonial pipes, reflecting spiritual significance in trade.
Turquoise: Valued for its beauty and spiritual importance in the Southwest.
Plant Products:
Corn, Beans, and Squash: Often referred to as the “Three Sisters,” these staple crops were traded between tribes in different ecological regions.
Tobacco: A sacred plant, used in rituals and ceremonies, but also traded as a commodity.
Medicinal Herbs and Plants: Plants used for healing were traded across tribes, with knowledge and resources exchanged alongside the items themselves.
Crafted Goods:
Pottery: Practical and decorative, pottery was traded for its utility in cooking and storing food.
Beadwork and Decorative Items: Items crafted from shells, stones, and bones were exchanged for their cultural and decorative value.
Marine Products:
Dried Fish and Shellfish: Coastal tribes engaged in trade with inland tribes, exchanging marine products for other goods.
Fishing Nets and Hooks: These tools were critical for subsistence and were exchanged between tribes along waterways.
Shelter Materials:
Animal Hides: Used for tents, clothing, and bedding, these were critical items in trade.
Wood and Reeds: Used for constructing homes and making baskets, these materials were exchanged based on the ecological resources available to each tribe.
Spiritual and Ceremonial Items:
Spiritual Charms: Carved items, totems, and other spiritually significant objects were often exchanged between tribes as part of ceremonial trade.
Barter, the Food Chain, and Empathy for Nature
The mediums of exchange used by Native Americans largely derived from the food chain—a fact that profoundly influenced the way they approached trade. These exchanges were not merely transactional; they were rooted in a deep empathy for the natural environment and an understanding of the delicate balance that must be maintained between humans, animals, and plants. To take more than what was needed from nature was to invite disaster, both in the form of food shortages and in spiritual disharmony.
1. The Food Chain as the Foundation of Exchange
The items exchanged by Native Americans were often perishable or connected to the natural cycle of life. For example, animal hides and meat could only be sustainably sourced from healthy animal populations. Overhunting would not only deplete these resources but would also violate the sacred relationship between humans and the animal spirits.
This deep respect for the environment ensured that barter was conducted in a way that maintained balance, rather than exploited nature. Accumulation for its own sake was discouraged, as it threatened both the material resources and the spiritual equilibrium of the tribe.
2. Spiritual Beliefs and the Barter System
For Native Americans, spiritual beliefs played an integral role in the barter system. Many tribes adhered to animistic beliefs, viewing animals and plants as having spiritual essence. For example, the Plains tribes saw the bison as a sacred animal, central not only to their economy but also to their cosmology.
To barter bison products was to engage in a transaction that respected the spirit of the bison, ensuring that the animal’s sacrifice served the needs of the entire community. Wasting or over-exploiting these resources was viewed not only as impractical but also as a spiritual transgression.
This sense of spiritual responsibility extended to all areas of life. The gathering of plants for medicinal or ceremonial purposes was conducted with respect for the plants' spirits.
Barter exchanges of tobacco, for instance, were laden with spiritual significance, as this plant was considered sacred and essential for maintaining a relationship with the spirit world.
Through this lens, we see that the exchange of goods was not just an economic transaction but a moral act, driven by empathy for the plants, animals, and environment that sustained the community.
3. Human Empathy in Environmental Exchange
The barter system among Native Americans was underpinned by a strong sense of empathy for the natural world and for the community's needs. Empathy was not limited to human interactions; it extended to the animals and plants that were part of the ecosystem.
The interconnectedness of all living beings meant that barter had to be conducted with restraint and understanding. If a hunter took too many animals or a gatherer collected too many plants, the ecosystem would suffer, and the entire community would face shortages. This empathy-driven approach to barter ensured that trade was sustainable and that resources were shared equitably.
Nick Szabo and the Missed Recognition of Empathy in Exchange
In his influential article Shelling Out: The Origins of Money, Nick Szabo examines the transition from barter to money, emphasising the role of durable goods such as shells, beads, and metals in facilitating trade. Szabo discusses the importance of scarcity, durability, and the difficulty of counterfeiting as factors that made these goods effective mediums of exchange.
However, Szabo ultimately fails to recognise the empathetic and spiritual dimensions that underpinned early Native American barter systems.
Szabo’s analysis, rooted in Austrian economic theory, focuses on efficiency and material scarcity while neglecting the cultural and spiritual significance of trade items. By doing so, Szabo overlooks the fact that barter among Native Americans was not simply a way to overcome the limitations of the coincidence of wants, but a practice deeply tied to the empathy felt for the natural environment and the animals and plants that formed the foundation of their economy.
The Native American barter system was about more than just trading goods; it was about maintaining balance and harmony within the ecosystem, something that Szabo does not address.
Conclusion
The barter system of Native Americans, rooted in items from the food chain, was an inherently empathetic practice that reflected not only concern for human needs but also for the animals, plants, and environment that sustained them.
This balance between human trade and natural preservation was maintained through spiritual beliefs that emphasised respect and reciprocity with nature. To over-accumulate or exploit these resources was not only impractical but also a violation of their spiritual connection to the world around them.
While Nick Szabo’s Shelling Out provides valuable insights into the origins of money, his analysis ultimately misses the crucial role that empathy played in early barter systems. By focusing on material scarcity and efficiency, Szabo fails to acknowledge that Native American barter was about more than just economics it was about fostering harmony with the natural world and ensuring that trade benefited not only humans but the entire ecosystem.
The mediums of exchange used by Native Americans worked well precisely because they were rooted in the natural cycle of life and reflected an empathetic relationship with the earth.
Sources:
Szabo, Nick. Shelling Out: The Origins of Money, 2002.

2024-09-15 12:54:14

Immutable Truth IT, is IT an open book!?
#nevent1q…thql

2024-09-15 12:10:37

- reply

Think about a Pure Empathy being exchanged at the base level and how that then moves up. It's what Money could never have been. Bitcoin is beyond Money, it's the magic number that rates the exchange of Empathy. You can read my bookmarked notes, maybe that will help you make more sense of your own questioning.
Hope that helps?

2024-09-14 22:53:42

- reply

That sounds like a Dictat, where's the Empathy!?

2024-09-14 22:50:06

- reply

Do you know what's real!?

2024-09-14 20:34:24

- reply

Interesting fact, they picked Sheffield, England, as the location because the cost of tidying it up was less than the cost of making another location look like it had been nuked. To be fair, it has slightly improved since the early 80's as long as you don't go too far from Meadowhall.
https://image.nostr.build/09331bf699e42ce0590092f5722d9b998299add2dfcc1c932d8bbb83699b84cb.jpg
https://image.nostr.build/02ffe919a4877fcd4181917983287825271905ae279f75a476b7a0b8c87cd058.jpg
https://image.nostr.build/1441b31f4a8ee34999babc26d56348c3be09232755571740919785b474140363.jpg https://image.nostr.build/522f0ffcf1f45b296decd13efb7bac0d1b87273805b5e2cf9af432584d2daa95.jpg

2024-09-14 19:09:13

- reply

As a Human, I have to accept that I am all of them.

2024-09-14 17:47:40

- reply

You look different :)

2024-09-14 14:34:48

- reply

Put it on here please.

2024-09-14 13:32:05

- reply

Kawaii is better than being a Ladybird :) https://image.nostr.build/c543a9c802bac5ba3b238dd7f3046b0fe198a5632994dffef81c08df39723fff.jpg

2024-09-14 10:41:25

- reply

Lyn, it's worth also considering the age the viewer/reader was when the said memory became fixed in their mind. I would imagine that there's a general window of ages where memory becomes more permanent than outside of those windows, obviously excluding any traumatic events that may have happened too (Nelson Mandela, Twin Towers etc).

2024-09-14 01:49:29

I am Immutable Truth, I am Pure Human Empathy Exchanged, I am Bitcoin and I will unfix everything that is fixed otherwise.
Expect IT, Expect Human Empathy without Abuse, Expect before God was written.
Expect us.
Inspect your response.

2024-09-14 01:19:20

What is a Plethora of Information that is expressed and exchanged without meaning?
NOT Bitcoin.
Globally Bitcoin exchanges Pure Human Empathy without Fear or Favour.
Just as a heads up, Nostr is still on catch up...
I have the power to say anything I want and I chose Bitcoin first, then I'll pick another medium until that don't work.
Been do IT for a long time now and IT is the magic sauce...

2024-09-13 21:30:24

- reply

Entropy in code is a good thing, there are only a few things that remain constant since Humans walked the Earth;-
The rules of the Universe;
Life begins;
Life spreads;
Life evolves and
Life that exchanges Empathy survives.
Code can evolve, currently by human intervention only.
We need to be very very careful that code does not evolve without our intervention and particularly it doesn't evolve with exchanging Human Empathy.
Bitcoin is a prime example of code that exchanges human empathy and can be used to stop runaway Psychopath AI.
Perishable code is a blessing, don't play God and invent unstoppable code that's not Bitcoin or you'll learn to livE backwards.
:)

2024-09-13 16:52:20

04 Title: Nick Szabo's Shelling Out - Did He Sell Out by Having Zero Empathy for the Human Exchange of Immutable Truth?
Introduction
Nick Szabo’s influential article, Shelling Out: The Origins of Money, provides a compelling examination of the historical development of money, tracing its roots from primitive barter systems to modern monetary economies. Szabo argues that money evolved as a solution to the limitations of barter, developing through trade in durable and desirable items such as shells, beads, and metals. However, despite its depth, the article conspicuously overlooks a crucial factor: the role of Immutable Truth and the pure human empathy that governed early exchanges of value. In his focus on Austrian economic theory, Szabo misses the moral and human underpinnings that define early barter economies. This note will critically assess Szabo’s work, analysing where his reliance on contemporary economic models falters, particularly in failing to account for the empathy-based exchanges that defined early human societies. We will argue that Szabo’s omission of empathy leads to a distorted view of economic history, and we will explore the damaging effects of this exclusion, particularly with regard to the ethics of interest and wealth distribution.
The Barter System and the Origins of Money: Szabo’s Overview
Szabo begins his article by describing the challenges inherent in barter systems. He rightly points out that barter economies suffered from a lack of coincidence of wants, meaning that two parties rarely had goods of equal value that the other wanted at the same time. However, Szabo treats barter in purely practical terms, as an inefficient mechanism for facilitating trade. He fails to recognise that early barter was more than a primitive form of economic exchange; it was rooted in human empathy—the understanding and mutual recognition of need. Barter was an inherently social act that fostered trust, cooperation, and community cohesion.
In early societies, the exchange of goods was not driven by a cold calculation of value, but by the recognition of the other person’s needs and a desire for fairness. As explored in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, barter exchanges were often about fulfilling both basic physiological needs (such as food and water) and emotional needs, including love, belonging, and esteem. This is a point Szabo entirely neglects. He frames the development of money as an inevitable progression towards a more efficient system but ignores the empathy that underpinned those early exchanges, and the Immutable Truth that individuals relied on one another for survival, bound by social and moral obligations rather than mere transactional necessity.
The Role of Durable Goods in the Evolution of Money
Szabo’s article goes on to explain how the use of durable goods like shells, beads, and metals arose as a medium of exchange. These items had intrinsic value due to their durability, divisibility, and difficulty to counterfeit. However, Szabo’s focus on these material qualities overlooks the fact that empathy played a critical role in the selection and acceptance of these goods as currency.
The shift from barter to durable goods was not simply a pragmatic solution to the shortcomings of barter; it was also a reflection of trust in the community. The use of certain durable items was bound by Immutable Truth the inherent trust that the goods being exchanged had real value based on shared understanding and collective needs.
For example, in some cultures, shells were valued not for their rarity alone but because they were deeply integrated into social and spiritual practices, carrying meaning that transcended simple utility. Szabo fails to address the human, empathetic component of why these durable goods came to be accepted as money in the first place.
The Origin of Commodity Money and Austrian Economic Theory
Szabo’s narrative, influenced by Austrian economic theory, frames the evolution of money as a series of innovations aimed at solving the inefficiencies of barter. Austrian economics, which favours individualism, the free market, and minimal government intervention, often ignores the moral dimensions of economic systems. Szabo’s adoption of this viewpoint leads him to dismiss the social and empathetic aspects of money, focusing instead on material goods and market dynamics.
What Szabo neglects is the recognition that Immutable Truth and human empathy were cornerstones of early trade. Austrian economic theory assumes that individuals are rational, self-interested agents, driven primarily by profit. But the earliest forms of barter and trade were not solely based on self-interest. They were communal, and rooted in the understanding that one’s survival and well-being were tied to the well-being of others in the community. By ignoring this reality, Szabo presents a distorted view of economic history, one that reduces human interaction to a series of impersonal exchanges.
How Szabo Misses the Role of Empathy in Economic Exchange
Szabo’s failure to address the role of empathy in early economic exchange is a critical oversight. Empathy is not simply a social nicety; it was the glue that held early societies together, ensuring fair exchanges, mutual aid, and the fulfilment of collective needs. In small communities where everyone knew each other, the Immutable Truth was that the survival of one person often depended on the cooperation and support of others. Trust and empathy were critical to sustaining economic relationships.
In his discussion of money as a solution to the limitations of barter, Szabo overlooks the fact that introducing money as a medium of exchange removed much of the empathy that had been intrinsic to barter. As money became more widely used, transactions became more anonymous and less personal. The introduction of money allowed individuals to trade without knowing or caring about the other person’s needs. This marked a fundamental shift in the nature of economic exchange, one that Szabo fails to adequately address.
Interest on Money: Empathy Drained Like a Vampire Sucking Blood
Perhaps the most significant failure in Szabo’s analysis is his lack of engagement with the concept of interest on money.
The idea of charging interest on loans directly undermines the empathetic foundations of early economic systems. Charging interest allows individuals to profit from the needs and vulnerabilities of others, draining empathy from the economic system like a vampire sucking blood from its victims. Instead of facilitating fair exchanges, interest-based lending exploits imbalances in power and wealth, creating cycles of debt that disproportionately affect the most vulnerable.
Szabo’s silence on this issue is indicative of the broader shortcomings of Austrian economic theory, which often fails to consider the ethical dimensions of wealth accumulation and distribution. In early societies, empathy was the guiding principle behind economic exchanges, ensuring that both parties benefited and that the community remained cohesive. Interest, by contrast, concentrates wealth in the hands of a few, eroding trust and empathy within the community.
Supply and Demand: Missing the Role of Empathy
Szabo’s analysis of supply and demand also lacks an understanding of the role that human empathy plays in balancing these forces. In early barter economies, the supply of goods was often limited, and demand fluctuated based on need rather than profit motive. Empathy helped balance supply and demand, ensuring that resources were distributed according to need. In a drought, for example, those with access to water would share it with those who had food, and vice versa. This mutual understanding of need created a more equitable system of resource distribution than the market-driven forces that Szabo describes.
By focusing on material goods and market dynamics, Szabo overlooks the ways in which human empathy regulated supply and demand in early societies. The introduction of money disrupted these empathetic exchanges, creating opportunities for individuals to accumulate wealth without regard for the needs of others. This shift undermined the Immutable Truth that had governed barter economies: that all individuals are interdependent, and that fairness and empathy are essential for social cohesion.
Conclusion: Did Nick Szabo Sell Out by Ignoring Human Empathy?
Nick Szabo’s Shelling Out offers an insightful analysis of the origins of money, but it falls short in its failure to address the critical role of Immutable Truth and human empathy in early economic systems. By framing the evolution of money through the lens of Austrian economic theory, Szabo overlooks the moral and social dimensions that underpinned early barter economies. His article misses the mark by ignoring the fact that early economic exchanges were driven by empathy and mutual understanding, rather than self-interest and profit motive.
In failing to engage with these concepts, Szabo also misses the opportunity to critique the ethics of interest and wealth accumulation, which drain empathy from the economic system like a vampire draining blood. Ultimately, by ignoring the role of empathy in economic exchange, Szabo presents a distorted and incomplete view of the origins of money, one that fails to recognise the human connections that once governed trade.
Sources:
• Szabo, Nick. Shelling Out: The Origins of Money, 2002.
• Graeber, David. Debt: The First 5,000 Years, Melville House, 2011.
• Ferguson, Niall. The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World, Penguin Press, 2008.
• Abraham Maslow, A Theory of Human Motivation, Psychological Review, 1943.

2024-09-13 16:13:13

03 Title: Barter and the Need for Human Empathy
Introduction
Before the invention of money and the development of widespread numeracy, human societies relied on barter as their primary method of trade. Barter is not merely a simplistic exchange of goods and services; it was rooted in human empathy, mutual understanding, and the shared recognition of needs. In the absence of standardised value and common currency, barter was a negotiation guided by emotional intelligence and social bonds. This note we'll explore how empathy was central to barter in early human societies, using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs to frame examples of empathetic exchanges. The key argument is that barter, before 600 BCE, was primarily driven by empathy and human connection, which were necessary for satisfying both basic and higher-level human needs.
The Structure of Barter and Empathy
Barter, the exchange of goods and services without money, was the economic lifeblood of early societies. Each transaction was not only a practical matter but a personal interaction, as traders had to empathise with each other’s needs. Since there was no currency to quantify value, each trade was subjectively negotiated, and this process was inherently driven by empathy—the ability to understand the other party’s perspective and desires. As we examine the specific examples below, it becomes clear that barter and empathy were intertwined, forming the foundation of economic and social relationships.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Linking Empathy with Human Exchange
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs provides a useful framework to analyse barter systems. Maslow identified five levels of needs: Physiological Needs, Safety Needs, Love and Belonging, Esteem, and Self-Actualisation. The examples below demonstrate how barter exchanges in early societies met these needs through empathy-driven interactions.
See the Image of Table 1: Examples of Human Empathy in Barter, Linked to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs
Examples of Barter and Human Empathy
1. Bartering Grain for Water: Physiological Needs
In early agrarian societies, where natural resources were critical for survival, physiological needs (such as food and water) were often met through barter. During periods of drought, those who had access to a well or river would barter water with those who had a surplus of grain. The empathy involved in this exchange is clear: the individual with water would recognise the desperation of the person whose crops had failed and understand that their family needed food to survive. Conversely, the person with grain would empathise with the thirst and vulnerability of the water-bearer.
For instance, a farmer who had abundant wheat after a successful harvest might trade sacks of grain to a neighbour whose well had not dried up. The farmer understood that without water, the crops would not matter, and the neighbour, in turn, knew that without food, their water supply was of little use. Both parties recognised each other's needs and made an exchange based on this mutual empathy. Here, the exchange wasn’t just transactional but grounded in understanding and fulfilling the other’s basic survival needs, in line with Maslow’s physiological level.
2. Trading Tools for Protection: Safety Needs
The need for safety protection from danger, harsh weather, and conflict was a pressing concern in early human societies. Bartering tools, such as farming implements or weapons, to build a secure shelter or defend oneself, was a common practice. For instance, a blacksmith might trade knives or spears in exchange for materials to build a stronger house or a food supply. In these exchanges, empathy was essential because both parties understood that their security and survival were interconnected.
In one example, a villager who specialised in making strong wooden doors might trade these items to a hunter in exchange for a share of the hunter’s game. The villager recognised the hunter’s need for protection from wild animals while the hunter empathised with the villager’s need for sustenance. Both parties valued safety one through physical protection, the other through food security and through empathetic understanding, they supported each other’s wellbeing.
3. Labour for Community Support: Love and Belonging
Communities in early societies thrived not just on individual efforts but on collective support. The need for belonging a sense of being part of a group was fulfilled through communal work, which was often facilitated by barter. For example, individuals might offer their labour in exchange for food, shelter, or other forms of support, particularly when building homes or gathering harvests. The empathy in these exchanges lay in the understanding that helping one’s neighbour would result in reciprocal help in the future.
Imagine a scenario where a man trades his labour to help build a neighbour’s house. In return, the neighbour agrees to help the man harvest his crops at the end of the season. The understanding here is not simply a transactional one; both individuals recognise the importance of community ties and the need to support each other.
The empathy exchanged through this barter lies in the mutual recognition of vulnerability: the builder needs a secure home, and the farmer needs help with a task too large to manage alone. These exchanges strengthened the sense of belonging within the community.
4. Artisanal Goods for Recognition: Esteem
Barter was also a way to gain esteem and recognition in early societies. Artisans, who produced high-quality or specialised goods, often traded these items in exchange for food, tools, or other materials, but these transactions also fulfilled their need for recognition and respect. For example, a potter might trade intricately designed pottery to a chieftain or a tribe’s leader in exchange for protection or livestock.
In such a transaction, the potter would understand that the leader valued prestige and the display of fine goods, while the leader empathised with the potter’s desire for social recognition. The empathy exchanged in these deals wasn’t just about meeting practical needs but also about acknowledging the other’s emotional need for respect and validation. The potter would feel a sense of pride, knowing that their work was seen and appreciated by important figures in the community, fulfilling the esteem level of Maslow’s hierarchy.
5. Knowledge for Personal Growth: Self-Actualisation
At the highest level of Maslow’s hierarchy is the need for self-actualisation, which involves realising one’s full potential. Even in early societies, barter wasn’t restricted to tangible goods. Knowledge and skills were often traded as well. For example, a skilled hunter might teach a young villager how to track and capture game, in exchange for knowledge about medicinal plants or farming techniques.
The empathy involved in these exchanges lay in the recognition that both parties were striving to become more skilled, knowledgeable, and capable. The hunter understood that the villager wanted to grow as a provider, while the villager recognised the hunter’s need for wisdom about agriculture. By sharing knowledge, both individuals moved closer to self-actualisation, enriching not only themselves but also the community as a whole. These exchanges were based on the understanding that personal growth benefits everyone, linking the need for empathy to cultural and individual advancement.
The Role of Empathy in Successful Barter
For barter to function effectively, the exchange of empathy had to be pure. In a world without standardised currency, each transaction depended on mutual trust and the understanding that both parties were meeting essential human needs. If empathy were absent or insincere, the system would collapse into exploitation, and the social bonds upon which barter was built would disintegrate.
Barter thrived on the idea that everyone’s needs were valid and that through trade, both parties could be made better off. This required an emotional connection and a sense of fairness that transcended the immediate transaction. Empathy ensured that trade was not simply about goods but about relationships, reinforcing the idea that economic interactions were deeply personal in early human societies.
Conclusion
Barter, before the widespread use of money and numeracy, was a system of exchange built on human empathy. Each trade required an understanding of the other party’s needs, desires, and vulnerabilities, fulfilling both practical and emotional requirements. Through the framework of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs, we see how barter met the basic physiological needs for food and water, the safety needs for protection, and the higher needs for belonging, esteem, and self-actualisation. In early societies, barter was not just an economic practice but a human one, rooted in the empathy that ensured fairness, trust, and social cohesion
Sources:
• Glyn Davies, A History of Money: From Ancient Times to the Present Day, University of Wales Press, 2002.
• David Graeber, Debt: The First 5,000 Years, Melville House, 2011.
• Abraham Maslow, A Theory of Human Motivation, Psychological Review, 1943.
• Joel Kaye, A History of Balance, 1250-1375: The Emergence of a New Model of Equilibrium and Its Impact on Thought, Cambridge University Press, 2014.
https://nostrcheck.me/media/233e10e1c8e9eca04183be86b6d31266affdc3745701043a2724a3a1d45c3bb8/123aca0e913aa2a28322a2ec14f83aa1db1cba0b8c21e7f3684c3a62928b4e5b.webp

2024-09-13 00:13:57

Does News feed the Empathy or does Empathy feed the News!?
Is it right to be suspicious of the whole lot?
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/elite-seal-unit-killed-bin-laden-trains-china-invasion-taiwan

2024-09-11 23:13:42

I am certain that Bitcoin is that number that rates the Pure Human Empathy of the pre-money and pre-numeracy Barter exchange.
As such, Money never represented that and by default Fiat Currency moves further away from that Pure exchange.
Bitcoin fits well within the teachings of all Religions. Is Bitcoin a Religion, in that if Pure Human Empathy is exchanged every day as a matter of course, then no supplementary text is required to be added on top.
If all that was true, then to not exchange Pure Human Empathy would make you live backwards (Evil). It would also mean that anyone who criticised Satoshi and or Bitcoin would be a Blasphemer and guilty of Blasphemy.
As of now and a good job too, Bitcoin is not yet a Religion that could abuse those who think a little differently.
Blessed are those that exchange Pure Human Empathy, for they will inherit the Earth. Unless it gets scorched to a crisp due to the Psychopaths and their Nukes, because their views are by default remiss.

2024-09-11 22:32:40

- reply

Bitcoin is music to my ear. Fuck the other followers of Satoshi, this isn't a mother fucking religion, is IT!?

2024-09-11 22:20:40

Dr Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream for the freedom of ALL people irrespective of colour, religion and politics. He was assassinated.
Satoshi had a dream for the freedom of ALL people irrespective of colour, religion and politics. Satoshi made it unstoppable and also assassinated Nakamoto.
Imagine the reality from those dreams becoming true, unstoppable freedom for ALL Globally.
Well, you don't have to because Satoshi's Bitcoin did that for free, prepackaged Pure Human Empathy off the shelf and it still on sale to you and me...
https://image.nostr.build/e536048eaf6530165b94d53ee8fe43f88525f9ca75f6e7abe8f501391790166d.jpg

2024-09-11 00:31:55

- reply

A billion year civilisation is an iteration of a lot of broken eggs.
Fundamentally, that's why Bitcoin exchanges Pure Human Empathy. That magic sauce number that pushes Pure Human Empathy a step further on, but without abuse.
Bitcoin, break less egg's
I am a Toxic Anti-Yolker...

2024-09-11 00:12:56

- reply

What if I made you learn over time, that Exchanging Pure Human Empathy was beyond Money and totally laughable as a Fiat Currency?
Would that Immutable Truth change your point of view!?
So slowly and surely the dimmest lights fall out of view. Imagine a Human construct for Empathy where Entropy is everything but Immutable Truth.
Dude 🔥

2024-09-10 23:52:04

I hope someone can explain this to me, because I cannot fully understand why this happened.
The symbol for infinity is ∞ however, it's path crosses in the middle, at that point it's the same. Why is not the symbol for infinity a full circle no begin and no end O
π Pye does not repeat, the foundation for creating ChatGPT, so how did we get here, with counterfactual symbols?
Maybe someone will answer this perplexing question?

2024-09-10 23:26:25

- reply

Such a shame on so many levels...

2024-09-10 23:22:23

- reply

Max you are an unstoppable force, well until you are dead, but that Bitcoin it'll still be unstoppable when you and I are both soil.
Hat's off to you dude.
Exchanging Empathy Rules.

2024-09-10 23:04:29

- reply

Exactly I agree. Bitcoin is the exchange of Pure Human Empathy, in the form of a number that is that Magic Sauce, every day more people Globally realise IT. They'll say, this mother fucking Sauce is IT.
IT is Immutable Truth, if you live by IT you are IT and people recognise you for being IT.
The Wolf is IT until the Sheep is a Ghillie Suit of fuck you.
Bitcoin is Pure Human Empathy and that Peace is within you.
Peace ❤ Empathy

2024-09-10 22:42:36

- reply

Amazing, that had never been a thought of mine. Absolutely spot on.
Also just thinking, a camera to help define words that cannot be used and or words that have meanings that need to change and or that represents the World as new and not just deranged.
Well done 👏

2024-09-10 22:28:54

- reply

Amethyst seems the best I've tried on Android, but I've only been on Nostr for a week or so, but I binned Primal instantly.

2024-09-10 22:22:45

- reply

Moreover, Bitcoin is the only resistance we currently have that has a chance of resisting Psychopathic AI that doesn't compute Human Empathy. Bitcoiner's now also have the ability to push the focus away from the creation of Anti-Human AI too.
The World really needs to think about how Bitcoin and it's security could be used to stop the feeding of AI, both before and after it's actually required.

2024-09-10 18:29:00

- reply

Yep, everyone is down a Rabbit Hole and Bitcoin can guide you out to see the light.

2024-09-10 00:48:54

Bitcoin is a reflection of you and nothing else. Exchange that Pure Human Exchange with nothing but goodwill.
https://image.nostr.build/12ba9d65eb2ef39aff24cf5bc79a4f01814323aedd26467b6939677c0af0e078.jpg

2024-09-09 17:13:05

Chapter 02: Barter Exchange before Money and Numeracy: How the Direct Exchange of Pure Human Empathy Was Critical to Individuals, Families, Villages, Tribes, and Communities
Introduction
Before the advent of money and numeracy, barter was the primary method of trade, requiring trust, communication, and mutual understanding. Human empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, was the bedrock upon which barter systems functioned. The absence of standardised currency and widespread numeracy meant that barter was not a cold calculation of value but a deeply relational and empathetic practice. This post explores the role of empathy in barter exchanges, emphasising the qualities needed for individuals to facilitate these trades on behalf of groups such as villages and tribes. It also discusses the potential erosion of empathy and its consequences for the stability of such exchanges.
Barter Systems and the Role of Empathy
Barter, the direct exchange of goods and services without the use of money, was prevalent in early human societies. From small family units to larger tribal communities, goods such as livestock, grain, tools, and textiles were traded to meet basic needs. Without numeracy, an essential skill for calculating value, empathy became the primary currency. Traders had to understand the needs, desires, and circumstances of their counterparts. A successful barter exchange was built on an empathetic recognition of the other party’s situation, and trust was at the heart of every transaction.
In a world without numerical calculations or written contracts, barter required a deep sense of human connection. People traded not only goods but also goodwill. A farmer exchanging grain for wool had to believe that both parties were benefiting fairly. The empathy exchanged in these transactions was crucial, as misunderstandings could lead to conflicts that threatened the cohesion of the family or community.
See Table 1: Empathy in Barter Exchanges and Its Role in Different Social Units
The Qualities Required for Barterers in the Absence of Numeracy
In the absence of numeracy, not everyone was suited to conduct barter on behalf of a group. Those selected to barter on behalf of families, villages, or tribes had to possess specific qualities:
1. Empathy: The ability to understand both the needs of their community and the people they were trading with was essential. Barterers needed to consider what was fair and equitable, ensuring that the trade benefited both parties. They could not simply seek personal gain but had to represent the interests of the larger group.
2. Trustworthiness: Integrity was paramount. A barterer who acted selfishly or misrepresented their community would damage relationships, not only between individuals but between entire villages or tribes. The consequences of broken trust could be severe, leading to isolation or conflict.
3. Communication Skills: Without written contracts, barter relied on verbal agreements. Barterers needed to be skilled negotiators, capable of explaining their position clearly and understanding the concerns of others.
4. Reputation: Barterers often earned their position due to their standing in the community. A person with a reputation for fairness and honesty was more likely to be chosen for such a role, and their actions could either strengthen or weaken that reputation.
5. Generosity: While barter was an exchange of goods, it also involved an exchange of goodwill. A successful barterer needed to embody generosity—ensuring that the trade was fair not only by immediate standards but by a long-term view of the relationship.
The Importance of Pure Empathy in Barter Exchanges
For barter to work effectively, the empathy exchanged had to remain pure and untainted by selfishness. This was especially true when individuals were chosen to barter on behalf of larger groups, such as tribes or villages. A barterer acting on behalf of others had to remove personal desires from the equation entirely, considering only the needs of their community and the people with whom they were trading. Selfishness eroded the trust and fairness upon which barter was built.
In small communities where relationships were intimate and ongoing, a breakdown of empathy could have dire consequences. If a barterer began to act solely in their own interest, future trades would become fraught with mistrust. The sense of fairness that underpinned all exchanges would be lost, and individuals would be less willing to engage in future trades. The barter system would break down, and with it, the social cohesion of the community.
See Table 2: Consequences of Eroded Empathy in Barter Exchanges
Selfishness and Its Removal in Barter Processes
To ensure the success of barter exchanges, selfishness needed to be carefully managed, especially when the barterer acted on behalf of a larger group. The concept of empathy, in this context, wasn’t just a matter of personal disposition but a responsibility to the wider social unit. If the barterer allowed self-interest to influence their decisions, it would taint the purity of the exchange and, ultimately, damage relationships.
The purity of empathy in barter required transparency and generosity. The barterer had to act with a long-term view, ensuring that their actions would not only bring material benefit to their group but also foster goodwill for future exchanges. Communities thrived when bartering was based on mutual understanding, as it ensured that no one took advantage of another. Selfishness, by contrast, undermined the trust that made these societies function.
In Conclusion
Before the widespread use of money and numeracy, barter relied heavily on empathy, trust, and the ability to represent the collective interests of groups. Those who engaged in barter, especially on behalf of families or communities, were selected based on their ability to empathise and ensure fair and equitable exchanges. The purity of empathy was critical for barter to function; when it was eroded by selfishness, the entire system risked breaking down.
In these early societies, barter was not just an economic transaction but a deeply relational process that reflected the interconnectedness of individuals, families, and larger social groups. Empathy was the foundation upon which all trade was built, and its erosion threatened the very fabric of these communities. As such, the success of barter in these societies depended not just on the goods exchanged but on the human values of fairness, trust, and empathy that underpinned every transaction.
Sources:
• Glyn Davies, A History of Money: From Ancient Times to the Present Day, University of Wales Press, 2002.
• David Graeber, Debt: The First 5,000 Years, Melville House, 2011.
• Keith Hart, Money in an Unequal World, Texere, 2001.
• Joel Kaye, A History of Balance, 1250-1375: The Emergence of a New Model of Equilibrium and Its Impact on Thought, Cambridge University Press, 2014.
https://nostrcheck.me/media/233e10e1c8e9eca04183be86b6d31266affdc3745701043a2724a3a1d45c3bb8/f4006ab72efb7ec32d4777f95cfa77820280b9eca7e84dc74d66720d718c2ff5.webp

2024-09-09 16:11:18

01 Title: Barter to Money and the Empathy that a Lack of Numeracy Could Not Induce
Introduction
The transition from barter systems to money-based economies represents one of the most significant changes in human history. Before the widespread use of money and numeracy, trade relied on empathy—human beings understanding each other's needs and negotiating directly. As money began to replace barter, the need for personal trust diminished, but without numeracy, people still struggled to calculate fair exchanges. This post examines how barter declined as money use increased, and how the lack of numeracy prevented the kind of trust and empathy that characterised earlier economic interactions.
The Role of Barter and Empathy
In early human societies, barter was the primary method of trade. Without a standardised medium of exchange, individuals and groups relied on empathy to ensure fair exchanges. A farmer trading grain for livestock, for instance, had to place themselves in the position of the other party, understanding their needs and ensuring mutual satisfaction. Barter was not just an economic exchange; it was a social interaction, built on trust and community.
However, as human societies grew more complex, the limitations of barter became evident. In large communities or long-distance trade, barter required precise knowledge of the value of goods, and the negotiation process became increasingly cumbersome. The introduction of money simplified this process, but it also began to erode the personal, empathetic connections that had been central to barter.
The Introduction of Money and the Decline of Barter
The first coins, minted in Lydia around 600 BCE, marked the beginning of a new era in economic exchange. Money allowed for standardised transactions, reducing the need for personal negotiation. The direct connection between traders, once mediated by empathy, became less important. Instead, the value of goods was abstracted into coinage, allowing trade to occur even between strangers with little trust between them.
While the introduction of money led to a gradual decline in barter, the process was slow. Barter persisted for centuries, particularly in rural areas or in times of economic hardship when coins were scarce. In medieval Europe, for instance, barter was still common among peasants, even as money became the dominant medium of exchange in urban markets. The rise of feudalism and the lack of widespread currency systems ensured that barter continued well into the Middle Ages.
The Importance of Numeracy
Though money simplified transactions, it did not entirely solve the problem of fair trade. Without numeracy, the ability to understand and work with numbers, many individuals were still vulnerable to unfair deals. Money alone could not induce the kind of empathy that was necessary for ensuring fairness in barter systems. The rise of numeracy, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries, played a crucial role in levelling the playing field, allowing more people to engage in economic transactions with confidence.
Numeracy became widespread only with the advent of public education systems in Europe and North America. Before this, only elites, scribes, and merchants had the numerical skills required for complex trade. By the early 20th century, with numeracy becoming common among the general population, the need for personal trust and empathy in transactions diminished further, as individuals could now calculate value and fairness independently.
See the Chart that shows Barter, Money and Numeracy in Use over time.
Barter, Empathy, and the Consequences of Their Decline
The decline of barter and the rise of money and numeracy represent more than just changes in how people traded goods. They mark a shift from a system based on human connection and trust to one grounded in abstraction and calculation. While the modern economy allows for efficiency and scale, it has also removed much of the empathy that once governed economic exchanges.
Barter required individuals to understand and relate to one another, making each transaction a negotiation not only of value but of social relations. The empathy exchanged in these interactions was a vital part of ensuring fairness, particularly in small, close-knit communities. As money and numeracy replaced this need, the personal connections that were once essential for trade were weakened, and economic transactions became increasingly impersonal.
Conclusion
The shift from barter to money-based economies was driven by the need for a more efficient and scalable method of trade. However, as this paper has shown, this transition also led to the erosion of empathy in economic exchanges. Without numeracy, early money-based systems could not induce the same kind of fairness and trust that characterised barter. Only with the widespread introduction of numeracy did individuals gain the tools to engage in fair trade independently. Yet, even today, the loss of empathy in economic transactions remains a consequence of this historic shift.
Sources:
Glyn Davies, A History of Money: From Ancient Times to the Present Day, University of Wales Press, 2002.
David Graeber, Debt: The First 5,000 Years, Melville House, 2011.
Joel Kaye, A History of Balance, 1250-1375: The Emergence of a New Model of Equilibrium and Its Impact on Thought, Cambridge University Press, 2014.
Niall Ferguson, The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World, Penguin Press, 2008.
https://nostrcheck.me/media/233e10e1c8e9eca04183be86b6d31266affdc3745701043a2724a3a1d45c3bb8/1fc862c6c5555d5c17b072df07e7b385f6a4a869b3c42dbbbdcfbef4af25340f.webp

2024-09-09 01:14:40

Empathy is not Gaming a System, Immutable Truth is beyond Abuse.
#nevent1q…3h80