Having a look at the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill, just released today in Australia. Both sides of government appear to support it. The bill targets "providers" of age-restricted platforms, requiring them to take "reasonable steps" to prevent underage (under 16) access. This gets me excited about Nostr: - Nostr doesn't have a centralised provider or entity that could comply with these obligations. - If a relay or instance of Nostr is primarily used for social interactions, it might fall under the "age-restricted social media platform" definition. But without a central entity, enforcing compliance becomes impractical, if not impossible. In short, there's no way (that I'm aware of) to enforce age restrictions or privacy obligations in respect of Nostr. Spread the word.

Can you endure ten years of disappointment with nobody responding to you, or are you thinking that you are going to write a best seller the first crack? If you have the guts to stay with the thing you really want, no matter what happens, well, go ahead.” Then Dad would come along and say, “No, you ought to study law because there is more money in that, you know.” Now, that is the rim of the wheel, not the hub, not following your bliss. Are you going to think of fortune, or are you going to think of your bliss?

Another day, another fuck you to the Australian Government. The newly introduced "Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024" looks set for approval without much fanfare. My word.

There's a whole part of the internet where women teach other women to become master manipulators in order to extract resources from vulnerable men. Forget love, get that money girlfriend! I'm seeing my boy go through it right now - he's in a dark place and won't accept help. Fuck it. If I can't help him, maybe I can help someone else. Here's 5 signs you're dealing with a manipulative woman. 1. Power Dynamics She showers you with compliments and builds up your confidence in the early stages of dating, but then unexpectedly pulls back emotionally or physically. This tends to happen in cycles (building you up and tearing you down). This is a classic use of power dynamics to manoeuvre you into chasing her approval and giving more in the relationship. Another is to isolate you from friends and family. You become more reliant on her and therefore can't afford to lose her. 2. Targeting your vulnerabilities She is great at identifying and exploiting your weaknesses. For slightly older men (35+), this might include: - Playing on desperation: she sees all your friends are married with kids and that you're eager to settle down with a family. She offers you hope of that, only to take that hope away when it suits her interests. - Exploiting Low Confidence: Older men, especially those inexperienced with women, might feel inadequate in some way. A manipulator uses this to make you pliable or eager to please, especially if you feel a sense that this is your last chance at love or companionship. - Strategic Criticism: Interspersed with moments of validation comes deep criticism (particularly when connected to your insecurities). This makes you constantly work for her approval. 3. Gendered Tactics She might leverage traditional gender roles to gain the upper hand. In particular, one of man's key instincts is to protect and provide. The manipulator might fabricate vulnerabilities (e.g. social anxiety around your friends/family) or crises to elicit your need to help and support. You then offer more resources— usually money, but also time and energy.. 4. Financial and Emotional Extraction - Guilt Tripping: She makes you feel like you're not doing enough, even when you're overextending yourself (financially and emotionally). You then give more. - Crisis Creation: As with the drive to protect, some manipulators create constant drama or crises (health issues, financial problems, emotional breakdowns) to keep you engaged. 5. Avoiding Accountability If you call out her behaviour she avoids responsibility for the fallout of her manipulative actions. She will fight to control the narrative and seek to avoid any blame for any emotional or relational damage done. In short, some women will leverage psychological tactics to maintain control, take advantage of vulnerabilities, and extract resources from their targets, especially men who might be more susceptible due to age, loneliness, or a lack of confidence with women. It's your job as a man to be alert to this and avoid these women.