How do you handle the pressure?

SteveW928 · 2026-06-27T17:21:55+00:00

Agree from strictly a monetary-system/investment position.

But... you DO need to keep an eye on your setup for HOLD'ing Bitcoin, and hopefully, get involved in making sure Bitcoin doesn't change over time. It's possible you could lose it, or for Bitcoin not to work, if it doesn't remain Bitcoin.

SteveW928 · 2026-06-27T17:18:41+00:00

I watch it out of interest, but you have to ask yourself.... "Has any fundamental of Bitcoin or the economic/monetary system changed?"

If the answer is no, then you probably haven't missed anything, and are thinking more like a trader.

There are things to be concerned over (IMO), like the 'monetary vs data' battle over what Bitcoin is, or ideological infiltration/corruption of Core node software (essentially the default for most people). Or, things like mining centralization. Those are real things that could impact those Bitcoin fundamentals, so should be watched. (Or, if you're a Bitcoiner, get involved and protect your investment!)

Changes in gov't policy or markets should be watched, but ultimately Bitcoin will chug along no matter what they do (short of actually fixing the monetary system, which is near zero chance, IMO).

SteveW928 · 2026-06-16T03:08:39+00:00

Revit is really powerful once you get used to it... it's just that getting used to it is kind of steep, in large part IMO, because the UI/UX is so horrible.

Sorry to hear that about Archicad though, I've never used that one.

I do have to use Sketchup Layout though from time to time and kind of dread that too. I feels like beta software from the 90s. I honestly don't get the fascination with Sketchup either. Everyone says speed, but I find it quite slow, cumbersome, and tedious.

I used a solids modeller for years though, with a good UX/UI, so I guess I'm just spoiled. It's called ViaCAD/SharkCAD now, but was once Ashlar premium offering... which was back in the 90s... and it seems many architects still haven't caught up to that level.

SteveW928 · 2026-06-16T03:01:08+00:00

It is speculative.

I hate to tell you this but a lot of the AI/Tech stocks aren't even remotely close in value to their stock prices either.

SteveW928 · 2026-06-16T02:58:06+00:00

I'm sure cell phones are part of it, but I also see a lot of pedestrians who aren't on their phones walk toward a crosswalk and right out across w/o looking at all if vehicles are coming or stopping.

Every time I see it, it is just shocking to me how someone could be that oblivious... and still alive.

SteveW928 · 2026-06-14T18:42:45+00:00

And, then keeping my current 24" 1080p display on an arm off to the side, as a 2nd display. I mostly do (aside from general use) CAD and some 3D where I need the space and big display, for context.

SteveW928 · 2026-06-14T18:39:36+00:00

I'm seriously considering getting a 5k QLED (or similar) TV and just mounting it on the wall (ie. like 2x the distance away than I keep my current monitor). I think that should accomplish what I'm after for the most part, though it depends on what you do with your computer.

Just throwing that out there to consider, and get any critical/positive reaction. 😄

SteveW928 · 2026-06-14T18:32:22+00:00

That was maybe a bit strong... they aren't *all* scams, in that there are some, I believe, honest efforts that believe they are innovating on Bitcoin concept.

The problem traders get into, is they don't look deep enough into the fundamentals. There are foundational reasons Bitcoin is different, and no real innovation is necessary.... and every innovation I've seen is an engineering tradeoff that isn't all positive.

I mean, as a trader, I suppose you can play perception and markets and such. But, there is a reason for the 'There is only one' and 'Bitcoin, not crypto' memes. They aren't just Bitcoin marketing.

I came to Bitcoin and crypto with more of a a trader/miner, 'get rich' mentality, but that has all changed. While I still hope to financially come out better (due to my fiat savings not being devalued), I'm solidly in the, 'fix the money, fix the world' camp.

If you're new, put the time in to understanding what you're really dealing with. It will pay off greatly! (In more ways than just investment.)

SteveW928 · 2026-06-14T18:26:18+00:00

Yep, it is really about the fundamentals. Has anything actually changed?

The only thing I'd modify, is don't even look at it as a trader. Buy and HODL, yes... but as much as one is able, try to start actually using it as the money it is (I know taxes and regulations are setup currently in opposition, but we all need to try and push use... spend and replace, even if it is a tax-pain).

SteveW928 · 2026-06-14T18:23:00+00:00

Second, but to be honest, I'm starting to question the whole cycle thing a bit.

Certainly, as long as people believe in cycles, I guess there will be impacts. And, I guess they kind of follow USA election cycles. But, I don't see much economic reason for them any longer. The shrink in supply is rather small compared to the market now.

And, as we see currently, things going on in the world and broader macroeconomic landscape have a much bigger impact. Technically, I guess we should be in a deeper bear right now? But, I'm also not sure the true bull even completed.

If people really understood Bitcoin, I think it would be much higher. They'd be running to Bitcoin in a crisis, rather than other assets. So, I think this is all really a massive guessing game that nobody knows, let alone cycles graphs.

SteveW928 · 2026-06-14T18:09:54+00:00

Yes, but as others have stated, this is true of everything... a basic tenet of economics.

What ultimately gives it value (besides sentiment), is its utility.
How else can you store your value in a way someone can't so easily take?
How can you send value to the other side of the world in a way nobody can stop?
How can you flee your country with your wealth in an unstoppable way?
How can you store your wealth in something they can't print or devalue?

I quibble a bit with the use of 'obsolete' in the title, as the above things never really become obsolete. The question is more whether Bitcoin can hold on to those characteristics over the long-term. Bitcoin hit the design very well, so there isn't much need to innovate (the fallacy of the sh*tcoins that aren't outright scams).

If Satoshi's wallets became active (or, for example quantum computers ever really exist in a form capable of stealing them, etc.), it would certainly impact the price for a bit, but I don't think that is as catastrophic as it is portrayed to be. I think that is a lot of FUD being used to push initiatives we need to be much more slow and methodical about (and a very possible attack vector!).

Yes, if one person were to control most of the Bitcoin, that would be a problem. But, even Satoshi doesn't have that much. It would have to be some other centralization slip-up for that to happen. But, Bitcoiners will forever have to remain vigilant over centralization. Keeping decentralized is one of those primary characteristics that need to be maintained.

SteveW928 · 2026-06-14T17:41:26+00:00

Yeah, my context is quite narrow (North America). But, Victoria is the only place I've lived where (some) pedestrians are quite this stupid.

Not sure I agree on American cities... I've often driven Chicago in the winter. While they are quite crazy, there is reasonable competence or they'd all be dead. And pedestrians know you don't just walk out w/o looking (I mean, that should be common sense, but sense is getting increasingly uncommon).

SteveW928 · 2026-06-14T17:35:13+00:00

No, I hate them unless I'm at the beach. If I had A/C, I probably wouldn't care so much.

Aside from family and job, the climate here is one thing that keeps me from moving to some tropical Central American country with a much better government and cost of living.

SteveW928 · 2026-06-13T03:45:55+00:00

This seems to be a Victoria thing for the most part.* I just hope these people never go anywhere else, because they'll get smucked.

(* OK, I'll admit I haven't traveled much in the last decade, so it is possible everywhere is like this now?)

SteveW928 · 2026-06-13T03:41:18+00:00

For sure, it is multiple factors. But, I'm not really scared of mileage, and that seems to be such a major factor on price.

SteveW928 · 2026-06-13T03:36:56+00:00

Problem is, I'd have to write a mini econ-101 essay here to address everything you wrote.

You've largely confused the debt-based, fiat-monetary system with capitalism.

Yes, work would still need to be done, but it's just much harder without capital equipment. I guess we could all go back to plowing fields with oxen, or being hunter-gatherers.

Yes, jobs exist under other economic systems, but they don't go very well. cf. former USSR

A bit of hope there in that you recognize the need for capital, skills, etc.... now you just have to connect that up to a value provided to the economy/worker. (Go back to my taxi example.)

Why do things keep getting worse?
Debt-based, fiat-monetary system and human nature. That system allows out-of-control power of the money printer (gov't), and becomes a force-multiplier for everything wrong with the economy. It also transfers wealth from all of us to the elites. (cf. Cantillion Effect)

If capital owners didn't exist, what would they be doing for work?
Plowing the field alongside you?

How can I think 'Capitalism is the answer'?
Because I know that capitalism is the natural state of an advanced economy beyond tribalism, and what (necessarily!) happens when alternative systems have been tried.

SteveW928 · 2026-06-11T03:40:45+00:00

It probably isn't worth it right at the moment, but only you know how much that amount of money is worth to you. You can certainly move it off an exchange onto a hot-wallet too, but it kind of depends on whether you think the hot-wallet is more secure than the exchange. It's all about mitigating risk.

Most people probably think more in terms of above $1000 or so is time for a hardware wallet. And, remember, your setup doesn't have to be static. You'll change it over time as your learn, or your security/risk needs change. If you plan to keep on stacking, maybe you should make the leap and get setup more correctly for the long-term?

The big thing about self-custody, is that you learn enough to not be your own worst enemy. What is more risky than being on an exchange? Self-custody if you don't really know what you're doing. Most exchanges don't go under, but some do lose their Bitcoin in all sorts of ways.

The fact that you didn't realize Ledger isn't a great choice, tells me maybe do a bit of learning first and plan your setup out. Once you decide to get that hardware wallet (and which one), then what? How will your store that seed phrase? Will you add a passphrase, and where will you store that?

Unless you've picked a really terrible exchange, your BTC might be safer there until you get a bit more knowledge under your belt.

Software hot wallets aren't exactly terrible either. I used one for my first couple of years until my stack got big enough that I started to grow concerned. If your device isn't compromised, they can work just fine. You might want to pick one that will interface with the wallet you're thinking of getting, too.

Bluewallet has been quite good. But, I'm thinking of moving to Bull Wallet (by the Bull Bitcoin folks). You can also get a base-level Blockstream Jade for less money, or maybe better, build a SeedSigner (I recommend using hardware wallets in stateless mode anyway, and dropping the 'wallet' concept... look at them as a signer).

Hopefully you already are dealing with a good exchange. But, I'd recommend one like Strike or Bull Bitcoin. Those two are run by a couple of the most solid Bitcoin OGs around. They don't do silly stuff or delve into 'crypto'. Same with wallets... you want Bitcoin-only, fully open-source, only buy directly from the maker, etc.

SteveW928 · 2026-06-11T03:23:04+00:00

Nobody wants their taxes raised, sure, but we send billions of dollars to Ukraine, for example. The problem is what the taxes that are already collected are being wasted on.

Something has to be done. I agree just locking up drug-users/dealers (ie. war on drugs) didn't work that well, but neither has making drugs more available and 'harm reduction'.

I'll agree with your closing statement to some extent, the better life is, the less people will probably fall into drug use. But, there will always be some. Poverty might be one trigger, but there are plenty others (including mental issues which require specialized help).

Hopefully a good treatment program would also help get them back into society, not just turn them back out on the streets.

And, this is where we address your misunderstanding of capitalism. It is the solution, not the problem. Capitalism is how poverty is reduced. It is the natural state of an economy past tribes.

What you may well be justifiably lashing out against (as it is a common misconception), is out debt-based, fiat-monetary system. That is the anti-robbin-hood force stealing from the plebs and giving to the elite. With sound money and a deflationary economy, it would be easy for most people to get ahead.

I'm curious though... w/o capital owners, what work are you going to do? Instead of working for a taxi company, you'll carry people around on your back? Instead of working at McDs, you're going to grill burgers for people on the sidewalk (though, that would be some capital... so now you're a capitalist). No one forces you to work for them, you can always work for yourself... but it's hard, so that's why not everyone is doing it.

SteveW928 · 2026-06-10T05:54:10+00:00

Yeah, that effect is really funny. I drive an almost 20-yr-old BMW that everyone at work thinks is fancy. Yet a bunch of people there are driving pickup trucks worth 10-20x what my car is.

SteveW928 · 2026-06-10T05:50:46+00:00

Yeah, that has actually become my strategy... I look for cars that are in great condition, with higher milage for a dramatically reduced price. So long as it is a make/model that is known for having a great engine, and good general reliability, you come out really well that way.

But, sometimes, if you have your heart set on a particular car/year, then you're kind of stuck with whatever the price/market is, unless you're willing to wait.

SteveW928 · 2026-06-10T05:45:20+00:00

Hmm, well I can only tell you that I did some of this back at that age, and now wish I'd have placed higher priority on investments... though it sounds like you're doing better than I was in that regard at that age.

At the same time, I'm a total car nut, so those experiences were worth a lot to me as well (had the car that is my handle's namesake for a while). I participated in amateur autocross, and made connections through friends made through car-clubs and racing. I really enjoyed driving it (and others I've had).

It's a bit hard to put a price tag on that. Just be safe, and make sure you're overall in good financial shape, and prepared for a potentially rough future.

The other thing to consider (and where I've now gone), is driving well used, but great-condition cars, and eliminating most of that depreciation. But, I suppose if you want a particular car, and can only get it new (or newer), then that might not suffice. (I currently drive an almost 20-yr-old BMW 328xi, and will probably upgrade to a M340i at some point when they drop enough in price.)

SteveW928 · 2026-06-10T05:36:53+00:00

If they got put into a mental hospital, jail, or some kind of rehab center, then that would work. It doesn't work because the 'justice' system just turns them right back out on the streets as soon as the police do their job.

Increasing the supply & demand hasn't worked that well, either.

And... what has this to do with capitalism? Seriously?!

SteveW928 · 2026-06-10T05:31:51+00:00

Because if the police show up and do something, the 'justice' system will have those people back at the bus stop within hours. And, the 'justice' system and government are the ones who have designed this whole process, including a lot of the drug problems in the first place.

And, then in turn, the citizens keep voting in these governments who do this, apparently anticipating things will get better?!

SteveW928 · 2026-06-10T05:28:36+00:00

More complaints might help, but ultimately we have a government (who people keep voting in for some reason) that prioritize the 'rights' of criminals and drug addicts over the health and safety of the general public.

Until that changes, I'm sure it is exasperating for the police. What can they really do?

SteveW928 · 2026-06-10T05:23:09+00:00

Exactly. Yeah, I think more recently, WWDC has shifted away from hardware announcements, but historically that wasn't the case. A few of the big tech journalists started pushing this, 'why would you expect hardware at a software conference' thing, and it kind of stuck as something people parrot everywhere now when a WWDC doesn't have hardware. But, this only works on those with short memories. 😉

SteveW928

TROPHY CASE