#

madeira

(5 articles)

LIfe in SEC (06-07)

A glimpse into life in SEC and Madeira.

sovengmadeiraBitcoinNostrfreedom tech

13 - Choices and Decisions - who makes yours?

I have been really busy this week with work - albeit back in Madeira - so I had little time to read or do much other than work. In the coming weeks I should have more time - I am taking a few weeks off work and have quite a list of things to do. First thing is to relax a bit and enjoy the pleasant weather here in Funchal for a few days. With 1st May tomorrow it does seem that there will be quite a bit to do.. Some food for thought for you. *Who takes and makes your decisions?* Do you make them yourself based on information that you have and know to be true or do you allow other people to take and make decisions for you? For example - do you allow governments or unaccountable beaureaucrats and others to decide for you and even to compell you? In theory Governments should respect [Consent of the Governed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consent_of_the_governed) and the 1948 [Universal Declaration of Human Rights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Declaration_of_Human_Rights) states that "The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government". *For you to decide if and to what extent governments today are acting in line with these principles. *If not, what can you do about it? I dive into this below and do refer back to letter 9 - section: [So What can you do about it](https://rogerprice.me/on-location/). ## First, a few things to read, watch and listen to * [I Finance the Current Thing ](https://overcast.fm/+MYnzqNTeI/04:06)by Allen Farrington - when money is political, everything is political... * [Prediction for 2030 (the Great Reset).](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpE5cBgl11U) Sorelle explains things pretty clearly if you care to watch and listen... * [The Global Pandemic Treaty: What You Need to Know ](https://overcast.fm/+BwUSOy6GY). James Corbett is pretty clear too... is this being done with your support? Did you miss something? * [Why the Past 10 Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid ](https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/)- fascinating thinking on how quite a few recent things came about... And a few classics - you ought to know these already and the important messages in them should be much more obvious now\... * [1984 by George Orwell](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40961427-1984?ac=1\&from_search=true\&qid=QIJT7geoT6\&rank=1) - look for the perpetual war & conflict, ubiquitous surveillance and censorship not to mention Room 101 * [Animal farm - also by George Orwell](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/170448.Animal_Farm?ac=1\&from_search=true\&qid=ARZed0f28x\&rank=1) - note how the pigs end up living in the farmhouse exceeding all the worst behaviour of the farmer and how the constitution on the wall changes. Things did not end well for loyal Boxer. * [Brave New World by Aldous Huxley](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5129.Brave_New_World?ac=1\&from_search=true\&qid=palqwVi2cH\&rank=1)- A World State, inhabited by genetically modified citizens and an intelligence-based social hierarchy - the novel anticipates large scale psychological manipulation and classical conditioning that are combined to make a dystopian society which is challenged by only a single individual who does not take the Soma. For more - refer to the [References and Reading List](https://rogerprice.me/references/) ## The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People One of the most transformative books that I ever read was [7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36072.The_7_Habits_of_Highly_Effective_People?ac=1\&from_search=true\&qid=ODSAlSmj7J\&rank=1). Over many years and from researching hstorical literature he found seven traits that successful people typically display. *By default everyone does the opposite of each of these*! Check how you do - be honest... * Habits 1-3 are habits of Self - they determine how you behave and feel * Habits 4-6 are habits of interpersonal behaviour - they determine how you deal with and interact with others * Habit 7 is about regeneration and self care - foundation for happy and healthy life and success ## One: Be proactive Choose your responses to all situations and provocations - your reaction to a situation determines how you feel about it. > By default people will be reactive and this controls their emotions ## Two: Begin with the end in mind When you start to work on something, have a clear view of the goal to be achieved; it should be something substantial that you need and will value. > By default people will begin with what is in front of them or work on details that they can do or progress without having a clear view on the end result to be achieved ## Three: Put First things First Be clear on, and begin with, the Big Rocks- the most important things. If you do not put the Big Rocks into your planning daily activities, your days will be full of sand and gravel! All things can be categorised as Urgent or Not-Urgent and Important or Not-Important. > By Default people will focus on Urgent regardless of importance - all of the results come from focusing on Important Non-Urgent things. All of the 7 Habits are in this category! ## Four: Seek Win-Win in all dealings with people and in all negotiations This is the only sustainable outcome; if you cannot achieve Win-Win then no-deal is the sustainable alternative. > By default people will seek Win-Loose - this leads to failed relationships ## Five: Seek first to understand - only then to be understood. Once you visibly understand the needs and expectations of your counterpart they will be open to listening to your point of view and suggestions/requests - not before! > By default people will expound their point of view or desired result causing their counterpart to want to do the same - this ends in "the dialogue of the deaf" ## Six: Synergise - Seek the 3rd alternative in all problems and challenges Work together to find a proposal that is better than what each of you had in mind > By default people will focus on their own desired results and items, regardless of what the other party could bring to help/facilitate or make available ## Seven: Sharpen the saw Take time to re-invigorate and to be healthy - do nothing to excess. Do not be the forrester who persists in cutting the tree with a blunt saw bcause sharpening it is inconvenient or would "take too much time"! > By default people tend to persist on activities and avoid taking time to reflect, prepare and recover ## Mindaps - a technique by Tony Buzan Many years ago I summarised this in a Mind Map (another technique that was transformative for me - a topic for another Letter from around the world!) see below. Let me know if this interests you - happy to do an explainer video on this! ![](https://rogerprice.me/content/images/2022/04/7-habits-mindmap-158.jpg) ## **That's it!** > ***No one can be told what The Matrix is.*****\ > ***You have to see it for yourself.*** Do share this newsletter with any of your friends and family who might be interested. You can also email me at: <LetterFrom@rogerprice.me> *💡Enjoy the newsletters in ****your own language**** : *[*Dutch*](https://rogerprice-me.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=nl&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp)*, *[*French*](https://rogerprice-me.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=fr&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp)*, *[*German*](https://rogerprice-me.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=de&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp)*, *[*Serbian*](https://rogerprice-me.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=sr&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp)*, Chinese *[*Traditional*](https://rogerprice-me.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=zh-TW&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp)* & *[*Simplified*](https://rogerprice-me.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=zh-CN&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp)*, *[*Thai*](https://rogerprice-me.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=zh-CN&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp)* and *[*Burmese*](https://rogerprice-me.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=my&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp)*.*

the 7 habits of highly effective people - steven coveymindmaps - tony busanmadeirachoicesdecisionsconsent of the governeduniversal declaration of human rightsi finance the current thing - allen farringtonglobal pandemic treatyplandemicscamdemiccovid crimes against humanity1984 - george orwellanimal farmbrave new worldaldous huxleybe proactivebegin with the end in mindput first things firstSeek Win-Win in all dealings with people and in all negotiationsSeek first to understand - only then to be understoodSeek the 3rd alternativesynergisesharpen the sawsynergize

11 - On Location... Vacation at last!

**Issue 11 already **- I will be including numbers going forward to make past letters easier to find and refer to. The past two weeks I have been on vacation - my first real vacation is a couple of years. Monday I am back to work for a bit. I have decided to work from here rather than subject myself to more international travel - we are still refugees from the insanity in Hong Kong. We really have been relaxing and enjoying life on the island. Levada hikes and Jeep tours! [220415 Jeep tour - Cabo Girao, Porto Moniz, Fanal and Ponto do Sol - Madeira](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrlUO6ECZX4\&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Frogerprice.me%2F) We had plenty of time to relax and enjoy life. Madeira is a fantastic place to visit with lots to see and do and even more weather!. I did think that HK was mountainous - but Madeira is next level! Portuguese is also something else; have not yet made much progress but we did not try much and English will generally suffice. As you see in the video above, Madeira is getting serious about attracting Digital Nomads and as you will see below they have forward-thinking local government - exactly as foreseen in my top book pick - The Sovereign Indvidual. I did get to read quite a lot of interesting books and material - will be sharing insights below and going forward. Happy to discuss too - that offer is still open. Among other things I got to appreciate more the Apple ecosystem and the seamless integration between Mac, iPhone and iPad - in combination with working with no/limited WiFi and using tethering from my CalyxOS Pixel. Strong privacy is important and Apple scores reasonably well - though you will want to take some additional precautions, I have been enjoying reading my kindle on all platforms and listening to the audio-books with reading-location syncing (fantastic). I am considering sharing tips and tricks on secure setups as well as aspects that I find particularly useful - do talk to me if you have questions or suggestions. ## Bitcoin BTC Given how important Bitcoin already is and will become I think it is right that I should include a section here with relevant news, insights and provocations to discuss. Note that Bitcoin is different from "Crypto"; do not get them mixed up! * Madeira is not just trying to be friendly to digital nomads - photo above and Ponto do Sol. Last week the President of the Government of Madeira, [Miguel Albuquerque attended the Miami conference to announce ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5IwbHvCwP0)that his government will “*work to create a fantastic environment for bitcoin in Madeira*.” This is part of the [Game Theory of Bitcoin Adoption by Nation States](https://cryptonews.com/exclusives/game-theory-of-bitcoin-adoption-by-nation-states.htm) * [Announcing Taro, Multi-Asset Bitcoin & Lightning** **](https://overcast.fm/+MYnw6Jpb0)- this has potential to be something really big. It complements, and may even be better than, Jack Mallers' Strike. Their [Blog post is here](https://lightning.engineering/posts/2022-4-5-taro-launch/) and [the Wiki with the detailed specification is here](https://github.com/Roasbeef/bips/blob/bip-taro/bip-taro.mediawiki). * Michael Saylor is one of today's pre-eminent thinkers and communicators. [Listen and learn from his revcent interview with Lex Friedman](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC43pZkpTec). * SLP365 [Anita Posch - Bitcoin For Fairness in Zimbabwe and Zambia](https://overcast.fm/+OBZmAAEHY/09:52) — A great interview by Stephan Livera. Key takeaways: Learn how to use it before you really need it. if it works in Zimbabwe and Namibia it will work anywhere It’s still early and governments will give no help; rather they will be busy putting sticks in the wheels and sand in the gears… * For those who look for education on Bitcoin - a starting point can be Anita Posch's [The Art of (L)earning Bitcoin](https://anitaposch.com/bitcoin-start-learning) with many useful resources linked. ## Discovery of the week - Obsidian For years I have been an avid notetaker. I caught the bug when I did Electronic Engineering at Southampton University and we had to keep a "lab book". Ever since then in my professional work I kept a notebook and took daily notes. Recently this evolved into taking notes on computer. With the arrival of online working and screen-sharing such notes can be very useful and this unleased new value in note-taking. For personal notes I found great value with Apple Notes - a tool that has improved dramatically in recent years and works perfectly on Mac, iPhone and iPad. However, like many notetakers I often felt that I was "missing a trick". The reality is that searching and retrieval is not as easy as you want it to be and it's hard to reassemble and repurpose your collected information into new output. In recent years I have considered using several tools but found none of them compelling enough to put in the time to learn and adopt. There is also the fear of "lock in" and endless subscriptions to pay - as anyone who has used Evernote will know! Big thank you to [Rachel for this one.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DXHVawhh4c) She did get me thinking and encouraged me to give [Obsidian another try](https://obsidian.md/) - I had looked at it last year but it felt overwhelming compared to Apple Notes - I could never have imagined how great it could be! The absolute best overview of Obsidian and how to use it is [FromSergio - his playlist](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7oLu8NfQd84_gsyqBVSVgUmCCgcvSZMx) is required watching. Particular highlights: * Kindle Highlights - this is a superbly useful feature that normally you can only get with a subscription service - do buy the developer a coffee! * No Lock-in - your files are simple markdown and you have full control * Works perfectly on Mac and iPhones using iCloud - no annoying sync subscription to pay for * It's free for personal use - no payment or annoying subscription * Lots of high quality training material readily available and a great community of people to help you ## Reading * [Empires Rise and Fall](https://medium.com/four-horsemen-the-survival-manual/empires-the-rise-fall-f045ba357509) this extracts and summarises from John Glubb's paper of nearly 100 years ago, [The Fate of Empires](http://people.uncw.edu/kozloffm/glubb.pdf) - I think you call that foresight! I do identify with his frustrations about how history has been taught considering how important it is to learn from past generations. * [The Sovereign Individual](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/82256.The_Sovereign_Individual?ac=1\&from_search=true\&qid=6Av80kp4OF\&rank=1) is required reading for everyone - I did dip back into it a few times over the last week or so, making Kindle highlights that magically sync into Obsidian - how great is that! If you read nothing else, read chapter 7. * [From Paris to Karachi – Regime Change is In the Air](https://tomluongo.me/2022/04/13/paris-karachi-regime-change-in-the-air/) - Tom Luongo is a most interesting character and he does speak his mind. Read and consider. You might prefer to listen to him [discussing with Marty](https://overcast.fm/+KiHq0yS2Y/05:52). * Aleks Svetski:[ The Remnant, The Parasite & The Masses](https://svetski.medium.com/the-remnant-the-parasite-the-masses-15ca8b758127) - inspired by the incredible 1930’s essay by Albert J Nock; [Isaiah’s Job](https://mises.org/library/isaiahs-job). Aleks discusses this in his [Wake Up podcast](https://anchor.fm/wakeuppod) - also recommended. * In my TBR queue (to be read): [Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/662.Atlas_Shrugged?ac=1\&from_search=true\&qid=YsrHfxST2Q\&rank=1) - I must admit, I am in intrigued by [Odolena's review](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxCgvE6HSn8) in addition to Aleks' recommendation. * I also think that I need to restart on (and finish) [Foundation by Isaac Asimov](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29579.Foundation?ac=1\&from_search=true\&qid=XLGwvV3c7L\&rank=1) - after watching [Odolena's review of it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcCVvAN2RGo)! * ...and I need to add [Meditations by Marcus Aurelius](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30659.Meditations?ac=1\&from_search=true\&qid=BxEwjPnHxQ\&rank=1) - again inspired by [Odolena's review](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6ZqmGdIjB0) and I have seen others recommend it too! ## Watching and Listening * Joe Blogs: [Who is BUYING Russian Oil Now? Can Europe really change SUPPLIERS & are SANCTIONS Working?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsC_opJA2A8) - do stop and think - in who's name are the governments implementing all these extreme measures - go back and re-read section "**So what can you do about it**?" [in issue 9](https://rogerprice.me/on-location/) * [Rupert Murdochizing The Internet](https://overcast.fm/+Ot1WffBqQ) — The Cyberlaw Podcast — whether you agree with him or not[ Stewart Baker](https://www.lawfareblog.com/contributors/sbaker) is just the best podcast provocateur! * [AntiWarhol, Culture Creation, & The Pop Art Syndicate](https://overcast.fm/+OyB5xXVl4) — One of The Higherside Chats - perhaps this might open your mind and make you question some things. The rabbit hole goes deep. * [How Britain's Bankers Made Billions From The End Of Empire](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YgFDZNXPyg). At the demise of British Empire, City of London financial interests created a web of offshore secrecy jurisdictions that captured wealth from across the globe and hid it behind obscure financial structures in a web of offshore islands. * [Secret City](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHnwtkfX2k4) - A film about the City of London, the Corporation that runs it. * [How things get Re-Priced when a Currency Fails](https://overcast.fm/+p-dqTlLyo/01:40) — An important explainer from Joe Brown of The Heresy Financial Podcast — keep an eye out for signs! * [E76: Elon vs. Twitter — the All-In Podcast.](https://overcast.fm/+Ylhn6kjR4/03:12) I do not agree with all these boyz say but it is interesting to listen to see how the Silicon Valley types think. David Sacks nails it, and Chamath is not far behind! If you were in any doubt as to how corrupt things are this should put you right! For those who prefer a structured reading list, check [References](https://rogerprice.me/references/) ## **That's it!** > ***No one can be told what The Matrix is.*****\ > ***You have to see it for yourself.*** Do share this newsletter with any of your friends and family who might be interested. You can also email me at: <LetterFrom@rogerprice.me> *💡Enjoy the newsletters in ****your own language**** : *[*Dutch*](https://rogerprice-me.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=nl&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp)*, *[*French*](https://rogerprice-me.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=fr&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp)*, *[*German*](https://rogerprice-me.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=de&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp)*, *[*Serbian*](https://rogerprice-me.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=sr&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp)*, Chinese *[*Traditional*](https://rogerprice-me.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=zh-TW&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp)* & *[*Simplified*](https://rogerprice-me.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=zh-CN&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp)*, *[*Thai*](https://rogerprice-me.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=zh-CN&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp)* and *[*Burmese*](https://rogerprice-me.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=my&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp)*.*

porto do solmadeiralevada hikejeep tourbitcoin - BTCgame theory of bitcoin adoption by nation statesobsidianfromsergiothe fate of empiresjohn glubbthe remnant the parasite and the masses - svetskialeks svetskiatlas shrugged - ayn randfoundation - isaac asimovmeditations - marcus aureliussecret city of londonhow things get repriced when a currency failsisaiah's job

Meet the 1st Cohort

21 builders. 8 weeks. And more to come!

nostrlightningbuildingmadeira

Sovereign Engineering

We are building something cool that maybe you'll be interested in. What is this? An announcement of an announcement (AoA for short)? *Well. Yes.* But bear with us. We are doing an AoA because we haven't figured out all the details yet, (e.g. the name of what we're doing) But here is what we *do* know: * 2 months of focused building in #madeira. * 21 builders with a record of shipping things in the #lightning/#nostr space * working individually or in teams to make progress towards advancing freedom tech * nostr:npub1dergggklka99wwrs92yz8wdjs952h2ux2ha2ed598ngwu9w7a6fsh9xzpc and nostr:npub1l2vyh47mk2p0qlsku7hg0vn29faehy9hy34ygaclpn66ukqp3afqutajft will be physically (and spiritually) there to help bounce ideas off * Funding (likely) available to all teams **Dates?** Jan 8th - March 1st. **How to be a part of it?** Details to follow very soon™️ But in the mean time, if you're stoked, DM us at nostr:npub1s0veng2gvfwr62acrxhnqexq76sj6ldg3a5t935jy8e6w3shr5vsnwrmq5.

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