The Roman Calendar is Dead: NextBlock's Bitcoin Time Revolution

How We're Opting Out of Arbitrary Time and Embracing Bitcoin's Natural Rhythm

[Block # 901651][S04X21]

In this season finale of Flirting with Bitcoin, Ian and Mandana reveal NextBlock's first offering: The Observatory - a timekeeping system that uncovers Bitcoin's hidden connection to ancient lunar cycles.

Ian shares his groundbreaking discovery that Bitcoin's blockchain is actually a "pseudo-programmatic lunar calendar" with 26 difficulty adjustments per year, creating exactly 13 moons annually. This revelation transforms how we understand Bitcoin's fundamental rhythm and opens the door to a completely new way of experiencing time.

The couple explores how this lunar-solar system creates natural seasons within Bitcoin's ecosystem, with the halving cycle (every 210,000 blocks) acting as the "sun" that creates four distinct quarters. Each quarter contains exactly 13 moons, creating a perfect harmony between Bitcoin's mathematical precision and humanity's oldest timekeeping mechanism.

But this isn't just about time - it's about freedom. The Observatory represents NextBlock's first offering to the world, demonstrating how Bitcoin enables us to "opt out" of the Roman calendar's arbitrary constraints and embrace a time system that's both mathematically precise and naturally aligned with cosmic cycles.

From the technical architecture that powers this system to the philosophical implications of choosing your own time, this episode reveals how NextBlock is building more than just a platform - they're creating an entirely new way of experiencing reality itself.

As Mandana says, "By changing your money, you completely separate yourself from the government." The Observatory shows us that by changing our time, we can separate ourselves from the entire system that's been imposed upon us.

Key Topics:

Bitcoin's hidden lunar calendar structure

The 13-moon system and 26 difficulty adjustments

NextBlock Observatory's launch

Opting out of the Roman calendar

Bitcoin's natural seasonal cycles

The connection between time, money, and freedom

This episode marks the beginning of NextBlock's journey to change not just how we think about money, but how we think about time itself.

Get full access to Flirting With Bitcoin at www.flirtingwithbitcoin.com/subscribe

The Gentrification of Bitcoin

How language, power, and new money are reshaping Bitcoin’s culture.

In this episode the hosts dive deep into the heated debate over whether Bitcoin’s smallest unit should be transformed as it goes mainstream. From the heated “bits vs SATs” debate to the influx of politicians, Wall Street, and corporate interests, they examine what’s gained and what’s lost when new money and new voices enter the space. With personal stories, sharp insights, and plenty of humor, this episode unpacks the tensions between old-school Bitcoiners and newcomers, the power of language, and what the future holds for the world’s most disruptive technology.

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The Cost of Ignoring Bitcoin

What price are you paying by waiting?

The perfect episode to share with friends and family who've dismissed Bitcoin in the past but might be ready to reconsider. Ian and Manana return to their roots, explaining why Bitcoin is the solution to our broken money system in accessible, compelling terms. With inflation rising and economic uncertainty growing, the hosts provide a timely and convincing case for Bitcoin adoption through real-world examples—including how they both quit their jobs while maintaining their lifestyle. They address common objections and questions skeptics have: from "What exactly is Bitcoin?" to "How do you actually live using it?" The episode serves as both a primer for beginners and a powerful reminder that Bitcoin offers financial freedom in an increasingly restricted world. As the hosts cleverly note, "You get Bitcoin at the price you deserve"—is today finally the day your skeptical friends deserve it?

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Attention Theft to Viewer's Choice

What if advertising actually respected you?

Mandana and Ian explore how the Bitcoin-powered Nostr protocol is revolutionizing digital advertising by testing ways to pay people viewing ads. They discuss projects like Zapertising, Buzzbot, and SIGs for SATs that are experimenting with paying users directly for their attention, rather than exploiting it. The couple examines how these alternatives contrast with their own project NextBlock and traditional social media platforms like BlueSky. They argue that by changing the financial incentives around attention, we can create a more equitable internet where both creators and audience members receive fair compensation, ultimately concluding that your attention might be worth significantly more than current systems suggest.

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Staying Sovereign While Engineering

Can AI replace Seed Funding?

Mandana and Ian explore AI’s revolutionary role in tech development. They discuss their time in Madeira (a Bitcoin-friendly hub) working on NextBlock, the Sovereign Engineering Program, and how AI tools like LLMs empower creators to buildout more of their product without VC funding. Key themes include decentralized innovation, community-driven adoption, and reclaiming digital sovereignty.

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Zapstore, Cashu, Blossom, and Beyond

New Tools for the Decentralized Digital World

In this episode of " Flirting with Bitcoin,” hosts Ian and Mandana explore their experiences at the Sovereign Engineering Program in Madeira, where they are developing NextBlock. They elaborate on the transition from describing the platform as an "advertising network" to referring to it as a "promotional content system," highlighting the need for adaptability beyond conventional advertising methods. The episode features significant decentralized tools that are emerging from the program, such as Zapstore (a censorship-resistant application store), Blossom (decentralized file hosting solutions), DVMCP (which integrates artificial intelligence with Nostr), and Cashu (a Bitcoin-based credit framework). Furthermore, they investigate the challenges associated with designing user-friendly Bitcoin integrations and underscore the critical role of community-driven innovation in transforming our interactions with technology.

Interested in advertising on Billboard?

Email us at [email protected]

Get full access to Flirting With Bitcoin at www.flirtingwithbitcoin.com/subscribe

Interested in advertising on Billboard?

Email us at [email protected]

In this episode of 'Flirting with Bitcoin,' Mandana & Ian explore the contrasting worlds Bitcoiners inhabit and the concept of sovereignty in the context of digital currency. They discuss the idea of living on a Bitcoin standard, the role of KYC (Know Your Customer) in modern financial systems, and the challenges of developing truly sovereign lifestyles. The conversation touches upon Bitcoin as an innovative force, the growth of new technologies like Nostr, and how platforms like Strike are helping bridge the gap between traditional and decentralized worlds. They also delve into the cognitive dissonance among Bitcoiners, who often must navigate a world that doesn't fully understand or accept Bitcoin. The episode wraps up with musings on long-term goals for Bitcoin adoption and the hurdles of achieving complete independence from established systems.

03:19 Living with Bitcoin: Practical Advice

05:45 The Role of KYC in Bitcoin Transactions

17:52 Decentralized Verification and Risk Management

22:23 Mitigating Risks in a Fraudulent World

24:14 The Role of KYC in Modern Platforms

25:33 Engaging with Critics

28:50 Historical Parallels: Facebook and Early Internet

30:21 Conspiracy Theories: Google Plus and Media Control

35:37 Proton Email: A Secure Alternative

37:57 Balancing Sovereignty and Realism

42:24 The Path to Sovereignty and Revolution

Create Your Strike Account Today

Sign up For NextBlock

generated by underlord

Get full access to Flirting With Bitcoin at www.flirtingwithbitcoin.com/subscribe

Interested in advertising on Billboard?

Email us at [email protected]

In this episode of 'Flirting with Bitcoin,' Mandana & Ian explore the contrasting worlds Bitcoiners inhabit and the concept of sovereignty in the context of digital currency. They discuss the idea of living on a Bitcoin standard, the role of KYC (Know Your Customer) in modern financial systems, and the challenges of developing truly sovereign lifestyles. The conversation touches upon Bitcoin as an innovative force, the growth of new technologies like Nostr, and how platforms like Strike are helping bridge the gap between traditional and decentralized worlds. They also delve into the cognitive dissonance among Bitcoiners, who often must navigate a world that doesn't fully understand or accept Bitcoin. The episode wraps up with musings on long-term goals for Bitcoin adoption and the hurdles of achieving complete independence from established systems.

03:19 Living with Bitcoin: Practical Advice

05:45 The Role of KYC in Bitcoin Transactions

17:52 Decentralized Verification and Risk Management

22:23 Mitigating Risks in a Fraudulent World

24:14 The Role of KYC in Modern Platforms

25:33 Engaging with Critics

28:50 Historical Parallels: Facebook and Early Internet

30:21 Conspiracy Theories: Google Plus and Media Control

35:37 Proton Email: A Secure Alternative

37:57 Balancing Sovereignty and Realism

42:24 The Path to Sovereignty and Revolution

Create Your Strike Account Today

Sign up For NextBlock

generated by underlord

Get full access to Flirting With Bitcoin at www.flirtingwithbitcoin.com/subscribe

Interested in advertising on Billboard?

Email us at [email protected]

In this episode of 'Flirting with Bitcoin,' Mandana & Ian explore the contrasting worlds Bitcoiners inhabit and the concept of sovereignty in the context of digital currency. They discuss the idea of living on a Bitcoin standard, the role of KYC (Know Your Customer) in modern financial systems, and the challenges of developing truly sovereign lifestyles. The conversation touches upon Bitcoin as an innovative force, the growth of new technologies like Nostr, and how platforms like Strike are helping bridge the gap between traditional and decentralized worlds. They also delve into the cognitive dissonance among Bitcoiners, who often must navigate a world that doesn't fully understand or accept Bitcoin. The episode wraps up with musings on long-term goals for Bitcoin adoption and the hurdles of achieving complete independence from established systems.

03:19 Living with Bitcoin: Practical Advice

05:45 The Role of KYC in Bitcoin Transactions

17:52 Decentralized Verification and Risk Management

22:23 Mitigating Risks in a Fraudulent World

24:14 The Role of KYC in Modern Platforms

25:33 Engaging with Critics

28:50 Historical Parallels: Facebook and Early Internet

30:21 Conspiracy Theories: Google Plus and Media Control

35:37 Proton Email: A Secure Alternative

37:57 Balancing Sovereignty and Realism

42:24 The Path to Sovereignty and RevolutionCreate Your Strike Account Today

Sign up For NextBlock

generated by underlord

Get full access to Flirting With Bitcoin at www.flirtingwithbitcoin.com/subscribe

Interested in advertising on Billboard?

Email us at [email protected]

In this episode of 'Flirting with Bitcoin,' Mandana shares the major life decision of quitting her job to join her husband Ian full-time in their new venture, nextblock. The conversation highlights their passion for Bitcoin and the revolutionary potential of their new social media company which aims to create an honest marketplace for attention where users get paid to watch ads. The episode delves into their motivations, the challenges they anticipate, and the innovative business model that integrates Bitcoin and Nostr technology. Mandana and Ian discuss the broader impact they think they will made on Bitcoin adoption, aiming to disrupt legacy social media, and provide a transparent ad experience.

01:29 The Big Announcement: Quitting for Bitcoin

04:30 Explaining NextBlock: A Revolutionary Social Media

08:33 The Future of Advertising with NextBlock

20:39 NextBlock's Attention Marketplace Concept

22:51 Building the Proof of Concept: Billboard

27:31 The Vision for NextBlock

33:34 Family Businesses and Job Security

Create Your Strike Account Today

Sign up For NextBlock

generated by underlord

Get full access to Flirting With Bitcoin at www.flirtingwithbitcoin.com/subscribe