“It is impossible to get better and look good at the same time. Give yourself permission to be a beginner.” — Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way
^ AKA I am being lazy and still not spending time to format or create a cohesive logical structure, but wanting to get things out the door so I am allowing it!
Relative structure is: Thoughts/Miscellaneous then Podcasts split up into BTC and other
A lot of reflection this week. Seismic moves within my life, and a lot of reasons for hope and optimism. It really feels like things are coming together in a beautiful orchestra, so I have no choice but to thank the conductor.
It is funny to think that I was debating a post on the hero’s journey last weekend, and then quite literally received a call to adventure within about 24 hours or so.
There are also several posts in the past like The Adventure of Truth and Ego - Lifting and Otherwise which have become prescient in hindsight.
I do not know what the future holds, but boy am I excited.
Some questions and thoughts I have been stewing on
What am I optimizing for in my life? Are my actions aligned with having low time preference?
Thinking about a five-year plan, lion tracker’s guide to life. I don’t know where I’m going, but I know exactly how to get there.
You can’t work smart before you work hard
At this point in my career, I don’t have money. I don’t have knowledge I don’t have experience. I don’t have wisdom. I don’t have a network, but I do have time
Expanding the surface area for luck
Podcasts
Podcasts this week you will see were heavily skewed. Each week this year I have had a bitcoin/investing section and then a general/other/conspiracy section. I listened to a lot of episodes with Andi and Nico to try to get to know them better. At the end of the first section of all the Andi and Nico episodes, I have some general takeaways instead of going episode by episode. For the “Other” section this week, I have my notes prefaced by a “DH”.
Also, I have noticed that the AI this week is much better at grabbing the names and summaries of the podcast episodes, I still have to provide links for now, but improvement from early January with the prompt not changing too much. I tried meta-prompting two weeks ago and it was pretty bungled. Working on it!
Bitcoin Podcasts (Really just Andi and Nico episodes)
Andi Pitt & Nico Lechuga – Ego Death Capital & Investing Into Monetary Technology – The Your Life! Your Terms! Show
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7r03G0rDumhG4i81jcXYK5?si=401b181dc15c4ca8
Key Points:
Explores the transformative concept of “ego death” in the realm of capital investment.
Discusses innovative strategies for investing in emerging monetary technologies.
Shares personal experiences that highlight the integration of financial success with personal growth.
AT10 – Andi Pitt, Founding Partner at Ego Death Capital – Access Tribe’s Bitcoin Podcast
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2QtmhcIACqVZfBD3Xvdj9q?si=66990a2d35e84e09
Key Points:
Details the origin story and philosophy behind Ego Death Capital.
Analyzes current Bitcoin market trends and their implications for investors.
Offers guidance on navigating the fast-evolving digital asset landscape.
Andi Pitt: Professional Investing, Development Economics, & Venture Capital – Bitcoin with Jake #77
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3JX3h7G51EIMTlE0N7z7As?si=8daaf56b921b4c2f
Key Points:
Explores how traditional venture capital intersects with crypto investments.
Delivers insights on development economics and its impact on investment strategy.
Provides practical advice for building robust portfolios in the Bitcoin ecosystem.
Why Bitcoiners Are So Interested In Nostr with Andi Pitt – Bitcoin Builders
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Q0rqyixNEkummbIkrybRf?si=7cd14a4c72f74868
Key Points:
Explains the appeal of Nostr as a decentralized communication tool among Bitcoin enthusiasts.
Discusses how Nostr could disrupt traditional social media models.
Highlights community-driven innovation as a core value in the Bitcoin space.
Changing the world from the inside out | Bitcoin People EP 34: Andi Pitt
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/777LzVycQc6CHEaePElcz7?si=02bde79393b1494f
Key Points:
Shares Andi Pitt’s vision for leveraging Bitcoin to drive transformative change.
Emphasizes the power of individual action in reshaping economic systems.
Discusses practical strategies for creating meaningful societal impact through crypto.
Episode 7: Andi Pitt on Bitcoin – Femoney: Real Stories from Women on the Road to Financial Freedom
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Cgn6pbURwsmYtPolrLruv?si=5c42164b2baf4a58
Key Points:
Highlights Bitcoin’s potential to empower personal financial freedom.
Discusses real-life stories and examples of Bitcoin’s impact on individual lives.
Underlines the need for inclusivity and diversity in the crypto investment world.
Building a Bitcoin VC fund with Andi Pitt | Relai Bitcoin Podcast #67
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1cTMigPGMY4s70L2a4JnHP?si=3fa3a32a973340fa
Key Points:
Breaks down the process of setting up a venture capital fund focused on Bitcoin startups.
Discusses challenges and opportunities in an emerging and volatile market.
Offers strategic insights on capital allocation in the crypto VC space.
Bitcoin Venture Capital Outlook in 2024 with Andi Pitt | EP 141 – Swan Signal Live – A Bitcoin Show
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5TgMZoQKOLp0Vr5Lm15zS9?si=262bb01a05184a26
Key Points:
Provides forward-looking insights and projections for Bitcoin VC trends in 2024.
Reviews current market dynamics and emerging investment opportunities in crypto.
Shares actionable advice for investors aiming to capitalize on future trends.
Bitcoin and the Nature of Consciousness with Andi Pitt – FFS #105 – The Bitcoin Infinity Show
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5dOUoMdpVBmBPa3Q6wTKOl?si=ae5ad3b819bf4bf1
Key Points:
Delves into philosophical discussions about Bitcoin’s impact on human consciousness.
Explores how decentralized finance may reshape societal norms and identity.
Considers the interplay between technology, spirituality, and financial systems.
019 – Ego Death Capital: Bitcoin VC with Nico Lechuga and Andi Pitt – Build With Bitcoin
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5IZfTBuwaAgDeW2j0llfYc?si=9af9fc7d1a7c4784
Key Points:
Provides a deep dive into the investment philosophy behind Ego Death Capital.
Discusses the merging of traditional VC practices with innovative Bitcoin strategies.
Shares practical insights on launching and scaling a Bitcoin-focused VC fund.
041 – The Bitcoin Economy: Alex Mann, Timechain & Nico Lechuga, EgoDeath – Build With Bitcoin
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5x8MWa0bguXpVjvkrS1QWr?si=86c6b6ee35bb4761
Key Points:
Examines the evolution of Bitcoin’s economic ecosystem with expert perspectives.
Explores how technological innovations are reshaping the traditional financial framework.
Discusses collaborative strategies between venture capital and emerging Bitcoin projects.
Repricing the World in Bitcoin with Preston Pysh & Nico Lechuga – The Peter McCormack Show
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3r0mhOltzfrn6QQk6lSSL6?si=8790602ae6d042df
Key Points:
Analyzes how Bitcoin is redefining global valuations and economic paradigms.
Offers insights from leading industry voices on the future of money.
Discusses strategic adaptations required in a world increasingly influenced by Bitcoin.
Emerging Trends and Investment Strategies in the Bitcoin Ecosystem – Nico Lechuga, General Partner at Ego Death Capital – Bitcoin Equities Talks
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6KZwLRcK31Yz9NQ3u1OVxZ?si=e181d5d3aa4f47b4
Key Points:
Highlights the latest trends influencing Bitcoin investment strategies.
Details tactical approaches for equity investment within the crypto ecosystem.
Provides practical insights on risk management and value creation in Bitcoin ventures.
Bitcoin VC Investing w/ Ego Death's Nico Lechuga⚡️Talking Bitcoin Venture Capital – Lightning Ventures: Investing In Bitcoin Companies
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5v3Z8jD1JkvVtjRXb0ex5M?si=9ffd4d06ad78471b
Key Points:
Focuses on the specific challenges and nuances of Bitcoin-focused venture capital.
Discusses methodologies for evaluating and investing in Bitcoin startups.
Offers practical advice for emerging investors in the crypto VC space.
Nico Lechuga on Safeguarding Wealth in a Hyperinflated World – Everything Bitcoin Mining: The Sazmining Podcast
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1i1s38nHZO9HdHTqO4QGCm?si=932022aa70a54b76
Key Points:
Explores strategies to protect wealth amid hyperinflationary economic conditions.
Discusses the role of Bitcoin mining as a hedge against inflation.
Provides broader macroeconomic insights that influence modern investment decisions.
Lauren & Nico – “Caliente as &#%!” – Winged & Ready
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2zMiMrtd40rISqY4gTPfGs?si=71289fcc69f64a28
Key Points:
Features a candid, high-energy discussion on unconventional trends in digital assets.
Explores how personal branding and market passion drive success in the crypto space.
Highlights real-life lessons and experiences from the fast-moving world of Bitcoin.
Andi Pitt
• This (the US/nation-states in general) is still an experiment not a finished product, trajectory and trend line
• Always feels like we cracked it, and look back thinking man how were they so dumb
• Political science and solutions were wrong
• For deals she learned that you need to have all the answers - echoed lennon experience
• “Btc gives me hope”
• Open-mindedness, keep asking why why why
• Studied buddhism in the Himalayas
• They talk about the wisdom mind which is inside you
• Intuition/gut instinct
• She feels she is a product of her ancestors
• Academically selected high school, felt like had those limited kind of given paths
• Banking side, hippie side
• Didnt develop creative side as much
• Is it the definite outcome of consciousness, the current state of destruction and oppression
• If we are able to fix our own minds and start there before trying to fix others is that the solution? Make your own bed, clean your own doorstep, get the log out of your eye, etc.
• Villians - she thinks it's tough because they are products of their environment
• Positive attitude, most people aren't actually evil
• Most people we are working and don’t have time to contemplate the nature of our existence - ditto but like what the h, that is the most important possible thing
• Life exists as a way for consciousness to experience itself, on journey to be aware of universal consciousness while at the same time being the universal consciousness
• Jump in consciousness to becoming consciousness is painful and complicated
• Host said “we literally are the universe experiencing itself” mic drop moment
• Host mentioned Meme theory - look into, consciousness is one of the constants in universe, base layer of dimensions, third is that space time are connected, flows differently for diff parts of time, for at least certain period universe is deterministic on short scale but not long scale, cross-section of 4 dimensions
• Animals can tap into frequencies we can, dogs knowing owners coming home books, turtles, sensing tsunamis, etc
• Yes we are the universe, but you go deeper and we are actually mostly nothing - probability that collapses when you view it
• Free will questions - strategic direction, harmony with dharma, can we influence? Purpose, pre programmed,
• doing the work to getting in touch with ourselves and get aligned
• We cant control our life or circumstances but can influence or be in line or influence our experience with our lives
• Man’s search for meaning
• Stoicism - connections to egypt and buddhism
• Jeff booth look at episode
• Arrow of time free will
• Can particles be entangled in time ? As well as space
• Quantum physics hasn't filtered into our worldview
• There is some connection throughout the universe, maybe all entangled?
• Ether - something that connects everything
• Science of consciousness conference
• Constant skepticism
Nico Lechuga
• Great explainer
• Valuations compressed
• Not real businesses
• Now back to reality
• Exciting
• Nespresso is mid at wolf, better coffee around
• Warmke salinity index
• One guy story about selling weed and having so much btc etc. missed the boat. Gonna look back at this convo and say missed it - current price at time of pod - 30k
• Real building vs the defi pumps, looking at kids day to day vs if you wait 6 months its huge - opp for vc
• Get to know the person in the interview process
• Need to make sure you get along with the person
• Working on a team - exponential growth within a team - blind spot awareness, writing, future thinking, dd etc.
• what are weaknesses, not to disqualify, but to figure out best way to support
• Btc tam comparison with taxis and uber
• Btc needs to solve problems seamlessly without people knowing it's even being used
• They don't ignore anybody for outreach
• Heat and flavor
• Mentioned Dalio twice in separate pods
• Learning through an expert network and asking a lot of questions
• Not having to pay for it, being curious and asking questions and people helping because it is interesting
• Network effects and positive cycles that reinforce
• Hard to substitute being in person
• Danny Meyers connection
Investing/Other Podcasts:
Ashvin Chhabra: Playing Your Own Game – Collaborative Fund Conversations
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7MqA7QMr1znActuTjzfeBa?si=789181b2a2f74f98
Key Points:
Explores his journey from being a Chief Investment Officer at Merrill Lynch to leading Euclidean Capital.
Highlights how his PhD in applied physics and insights from chaos theory inform his unique investment approach.
Emphasizes the importance of “playing your own game” in navigating the competitive world of finance.
DH
This was a pretty good episode from a life philosophy and investment framework perspective
Thinking about money vs time with family, following passions vs the “easy” path
Anthony Pompliano – Building Influence and Capital to Live an Extraordinary Life (EP.430)
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3XnEdAJK1vkMhUBduqaUin
Key Points:
Details how he built one of the largest DIY-investor followings and leveraged it for investment opportunities.
Shares formative lessons from his time at Facebook, focusing on competition, leadership, and problem-solving.
Discusses his new book and the power of personal storytelling to inspire extraordinary living.
DH
Really impressed by Pomp’s hustle
Increasingly sprinkling in some of his content since I follow him on Twitter and he has interesting conversations
This was helpful to learn more about his background because I have not been following him for too long
#894 – Dan Koe – How To Design Your Life For Peak Creativity – Modern Wisdom
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5FKvXGaRfwG25B0sMhtnlh?si=299f584a62ed4c45
Key Points:
Offers actionable strategies to design a lifestyle that fosters maximum creativity and productivity.
Discusses the balance between work, personal growth, and creative pursuits in a digital age.
Highlights mindset shifts and tools that help achieve peak creative performance.
DH
“When you’re bored, build” - great quote
#901 – Tom Segura – Why Does The Modern World Make No Sense? – Modern Wisdom
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0N3MIHZRhSDfvj81TL8OCc?si=0ce04054a100489b
Key Points:
Delivers a humorous take on the absurdities and contradictions of contemporary society.
Reflects on how rapid cultural and technological shifts affect personal worldviews.
Shares personal anecdotes that underscore the quirks of modern life.
DH
About learned lessons through experience vs through teaching
Tom echoed my feeling that the trite wisdom that sounds dumb, you get to a point and you're like oh shit yeah that's why they say that
Treat yourself how you treat others, advocate for yourself, don’t be so hard, people give dogs meds more consistently than they can take their own
When in a rut and beating yourself up take action!
There are so many people working so hard and achieving so little
There are so many people thinking so mainly of themselves and having so few outcomes from it
Your mind can be your friend
Wow - dh forgot - you have THE MOST agency of your own mind. Situations are so different but how you feel and think is allllll you
Story about guy with stage four who was just like “yeah, I’ll beat it”
You don't want to be the loud dumb guy, just be dumb and quiet
People are surprised when a sports star is not the best interviewer but it’s like they are good at sports. They shouldn’t be expected to be a good speaker or interviewer just at the same.
“How can intrinsic overthinkers cultivate a little bit of stupidity”
You can find so many reasons to not do the thing
Whether over thinking or underthinking, take action. Get in the game, don't talk self out of things
Runaway success and runaway failure both possible
2 fundamental needs humans have, autonomy and connection
Everybody needs connection, in order to be valued, autonomy enables you to build value, sometimes need to sacrifice some connection to build skills and autonomy which creates value which creates connections
Weird psychology of competence and warmth where you feel like when there’s a successful person they are cold
You almost infer from someone's competency their level of warmth, if you are rich and high status, probably not friendly and warm, if you are less skilled/incompetent, probably very social/warm
Lost weight, probably had to be selfish for a while
Maybe it is something like for a super intelligent competent person who is nice you are on edge of being deceived, like what are the true motives, vs an incompetent person is like a puppy and you know they are just being nice
Cultivated stupidity, realize the outcome depends on actions versus the thinking
I know that I deserve more but I'm terrified of asking for it
In entertainment with reps/agents, esp early on there is a mindset when the artist asks for something it’s “can I” like asking your parents
you either need to get to a place where you can ask for what you want or change the people in your life that you need to ask so that you feel comfortable asking
Crime is fascinating since we could all just do it
Guilt is proportionate to the likelihood of you thinking you will be caught
#899 – Sahil Bloom – The Harsh Truth About Money & Happiness – Modern Wisdom
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3jMEaiv8OlWHNxh66Q8zCh?si=21cb140c8ad84993
Key Points:
Explores the intricate relationship between wealth accumulation and true happiness.
Debunks common myths about money’s role in achieving life satisfaction.
Offers practical insights on balancing financial success with personal fulfillment.
DH
You are one year of intense focus away from people saying you got lucky
It’s very hard to get lucky sitting on the couch, but if you’re out in the world and taking action, it becomes a lot easier
What gets measured gets managed
Money is very easy to measure so it often gets measured
Having a life razor, an easy question that you can turn to in decision-making. Sahil is being the coach for his kid common one might be what would Jesus do.
You can’t work smart before you work hard
At this point in my career, I don’t have money. I don’t have knowledge I don’t have experience. I don’t have wisdom. I don’t have a network, but I do have time.
In your mind/gut there is a little game of hot and cold with your decisions and actions and speech and each day subconsciously you know if your actions are bringing you closer to what your purpose or goals are or pushing further away
Tennis winners games vs losers games, in life a lot of things are losers games in that if you avoid unforced errors you win
Tim cook - rockstar full stop
Willingness to tolerate uncertainty
Balance has been hijacked
Seasons of life and focus, periodicity like weightlifting, maxing, resting, bulking cutting
Balanced over a minute? Hour? Day? Week? Months, quarters, years?
Sacrifices in service of goals, singular focus
When a plane is in nose dive, and the engine stalls, the impulse is to pull back, but you actually need to nosedive lean forward in order to pick up speed to generate thrust for the wings
The worst prison in the world is having the talent and intelligence to be able to go out and create something great but lacking the courage to do so
Maslow quote - our greatest fear is in our highest possibility
Fear of failure and fear of success
What would the audience of your life movie be screaming at you to do or not do right now
The climb prepares you for the summit, if you were just dropped off on everest, you would pass out
You're not ready until these opportunities come
Mike Benz Takes Us Down the USAID Rabbit Hole (It’s Worse Than You Think) – The Tucker Carlson Show
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/07gbXkXXQ6y65vHQatDWaw?si=bb823da250804dec
Key Points:
Investigates controversial and lesser-known aspects of USAID’s operations.
Critically examines how aid programs may be influenced by political and financial agendas.
Challenges mainstream narratives about international aid and its effectiveness.
DH
We are essentially performing open heart surgery on the country right now, which is a necessary thing, but we need to be careful during the procedure and also afterward
Sympathy for the devil
Cheap oil and pencils are good but at what cost
Where are the limits, tradeoffs
Why funding various social causes abroad? How serves us interests?
Regime change and influence through threats to stabilize and build up our network of activists abroad
Bangladesh example with hilary
Identifying that rap music had growing influence in Bangladesh and funding artists to make songs promoting political descent, and encouraging protests to spur regime change
Manipulating the culture in order to push an agenda
The Chesterton’s fence of USA ID
What if there is a study and they discover that funding transgender festivals is the best most cost-effective way to swing boats or stir up disruption then is it justified to do it and the people who actually support those causes would not know that that is the underlying motive and testifying in Congress and Republicans says how can you justify supporting transgender theater abroad? The defendant is not going to say because we found it was the most cost-effective consultant agency recommended way to stabilize this foreign power and overthrow their government their government.
When USA is the loudest A lot of it is coming from inside the US the actual developing nations who we are supposed to be helping are either saying good we don’t want the money or staying silent. They are not saying this is helping us so much we need this.
Mike talks about funds that were earmarked for Pakistan that went through USA and a Byzantine network of corporations to directly fund to Cuban businessman who started a social media platform similar to Twitter that would identify 20,000 power users and appeal, sports music and hurricane updates and once it achieved a critical mass of individuals with sufficient influence and built out network nodes they could then selectively target groups algorithmically to stirrup dissent
Funds are a black box
Did it happen in the us? Nonzero?
You get twisted up because if isis is bad for syria and we dont like syria we can end up supporting isis
Fundamental impact of state craft has changed since these tools for helping us companies are not necessarily helping us citizens.
Corps are multinational and have foreign investors, customers, manufacturing, and employees
In Reagan era, by helping companies have an advantage globally you would help the us through employment and domestic prosperity in theory, not so much now
Smithmont act 1948-2013 obama got rid, forbid foreign propaganda to be permitted at home