Birds do not own cryptocurrency (Credit: Lance Ulanoff)
Crypto Scrutiny
Cryptocurrency has to be the scammiest financial instrument on the planet, and I say this as someone who owns tiny bits of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies.
It’s not the volatility - my own wallet has lost half its value in recent months - it’s the chicanery. A lot of it targets unsuspecting consumers (16% of US consumers apparently, have invested in crypto), excited by the possibilities of crypto but clueless about how any of it works. And don’t even get me started in NFTs (yes, I made a few, but sold none).
The US government is finally getting involved after President Biden signed an effort order called, “Folks, what the darn heck is Bitcoin?”
I kid.
It’s actually called…well, it doesn’t have a name, but the Exec Order’s primary goal is" a “whole-of-government approach to addressing the risks and harnessing the potential benefits of digital assets and their underlying technology.”
Clearly, it will add, along with actions that could get The US Government deeper into the Crypto Game, some much-needed investigation that could lead to oversight. Maybe.
The problem is that no one owns the blockchain, but every cryptocurrency, crypto-bro, business that’s now investing in it, every NFT built in it, is connected to it.
Can the federal government regulate a global platform with no central governing company or body? Maybe as crypto grows up and becomes more respectable and ingrained in traditional banking and transactions that will be possible.
If nothing else, this exec action could lead to more cryptocurrency intelligence for everyone.
Robots for the win
People have an innate almost irrational fear of robots. So, when I talk about them, I try to put robots in the context of how they can help. Robots can literally do things humans can’t. It’s not just about speed (maybe they have wheels) or strength (hydraulics far outperform human muscles) but about how robots can go where humans can’t or shouldn’t.
They roll deep into mines where the tunnels are small and almost airless. They defuse bombs (or get blown upby them so humans don’t have to risk it). They get thrown into dangerous rooms where opposing troops might have weapons and hair triggers. They’re fearless because they have no feelings, and they’re almost indestructible because they can handle heat, pressure, or water in ways we cannot.
The latest example is the discovery by robots (controlled by humans well out of harm’s way) of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance, a ship the Antarctic expedition team had to abandon after it was crushed by the sea ice, and which sunk more than a century ago.
Robots located it almost two miles below the surface of the Weddell Sea and transmitted crystal-clear pictures of the incredibly well-preserved vessel.
Sure, a sub might’ve made it that deep, but tethered robots can stay down far longer (they never need fresh oxygen supplies).
So, when you’re worried about robots taking over the world, or maybe just your job, it’s also worth noting that they can do many things we’d never want to do (or should do) and can make possible things no human can do on their own.
Check your facts
Last week I saw an alarming headline claiming that the Russian Space Agency threatened to strand an American astronaut on the ISS. The article added that “NASA has been silent” on the topic.
Problem was: The report was not true.
The head of Russia’s space agency never said it. Someone did make the comment as a joke, but it was never an official stance or statement. The Russian Agency later reiterated that it would bring the astronaut back as scheduled.
NASA never commented because it wasn’t true.
It’s another reminder that, before sharing anything, before making judgements, we all need to investigate the source, check the facts, and make sure that we have the truth. That won’t always be easy, but in these heightened times, we can’t afford to act on rumors.
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