In this episode of the Conor Chepenik Podcast, Mark Suman (founder of Maple AI and former Apple privacy engineer) discusses the intersection of AI, privacy, and Bitcoin. We explore how Nostr could integrate with AI systems, the implications of training data and copyright, job displacement, and the future of human-computer interaction.Key Topics:Building privacy-focused AI with MapleNostr's role in AI identity verificationCopyright challenges in AI trainingOpen source models vs closed frontier labsFuture of wearables and brain-computer interfacesWhy physical books and letters still matterConnect with Mark:Try Maple AI: https://trymaple.aiX/Twitter: https://x.com/MarkSumanNostr: https://primal.net/marksConnect with Me:https://www.binmucker.com/X/Twitter: https://x.com/ConorChepenikNostr: https://primal.net/p/nprofile1qqsdgz9...Mentioned in this episode:Suno AI: https://suno.comTruffles: https://x.com/itsalltrufflesBrian Roemmele Algo on Twitter/X: https://x.com/BrianRoemmele/status/19...Timestamps00:00:00 The Conor Chepenik Podcast Intro Song00:01:05 Introduction and Mark's background at Apple00:03:50 Transition from Mutiny Wallet to Maple AI00:05:44 Family life and sports00:06:38 Nostr's potential with AI applications00:08:02 Identity verification and data authenticity00:10:24 Selling data for AI training00:12:47 Job displacement concerns00:14:05 Internet condoms and local AI agents00:19:05 Copyright compliance and source material00:23:51 Echo chambers and algorithmic filtering00:26:22 Art and music generation with AI00:30:02 Licensing and open source in AI00:35:46 Copyright cases and legal boundaries00:41:31 System prompts and model bias00:46:13 Music industry parallels with AI disruption00:49:57 Gain cells and energy-efficient inference00:53:25 Wearables and heads-up displays00:57:34 Brain adaptation and lazy loading01:01:06 Human evolution with technology01:05:25 Retro technologies and paper books01:07:36 Email vs physical letters01:09:27 Maple AI recommendation and closing

In this episode, Conor Chepenik sits down with Willem Schroe, founder and CEO of Botanix Labs, to discuss the critical crossroads facing Bitcoin's future. Willem argues we're at a pivotal moment: either Bitcoin becomes trapped in ETFs and corporate balance sheets, repeating the mistakes of the gold standard, or we build a truly decentralized financial system where Bitcoin functions as programmable, permissionless money.Topics covered:- Why custodial Bitcoin threatens Bitcoin's core mission

- How Botanix Labs enables Bitcoin yield through a proof-of-stake sidechain

- The mechanics of staking Bitcoin and earning pure BTC yield from transaction fees

- Bitcoin as pristine collateral for global lending without underwriters

- The symbiotic relationship between Lightning Network payments and DeFi on Botanix

- Why AI agents will choose Bitcoin as their native currency

- The future of permissionless finance, Nostr, and reducing third-party risk

- Bitcoin adoption in emerging markets vs. the US

- The role of violence, private property, and code as law in a Bitcoin futureWillem shares his journey from studying cryptography in Belgium to witnessing hyperinflation in Lebanon, and why he's dedicated to making Bitcoin global money as fast as possible. He makes a compelling case for why bitcoiners need to actively use Bitcoin onchain (staking, borrowing, lending, and transacting) rather than letting it ossify as digital gold.Learn more about Botanix Labs and test the future of Bitcoin finance at https://botanixlabs.com/Want to earn Bitcoin back on everyday purchases? Check out the Gemini Credit Card: https://creditcard.exchange.gemini.co...Stay up to date with my latest projects: https://www.binmucker.com/Time codes:00:00:00 Cold open and intro00:00:18 Willem's journey: from Belgium cryptography studies to Lebanon's hyperinflation00:03:05 Why the US leads Bitcoin adoption and Europe lags behind00:05:29 The ETF era: from Winklevoss twins to paper Bitcoin00:06:03 What is Botanix Labs and how it uses Bitcoin as programmable money00:07:04 The fork in the road: ETFs vs. a permissionless Bitcoin economy00:09:23 How Botanix yield works: staking Bitcoin and earning from network fees00:11:49 Borrowing against Bitcoin and achieving negative interest rates00:15:17 Using Bitcoin as pristine collateral for a new global credit system00:17:54 Managing risk and the evolution toward a dynamic federation00:19:50 The future of Botanix: prediction markets, tokenized assets, and global access00:23:17 AI tools and the rise of autonomous agents in Bitcoin finance00:28:37 Why AI agents will prefer Bitcoin: the perfect currency for machines00:30:04 Nostr and zaps: direct creator payments without algorithms or middlemen00:36:25 Satoshi’s lesson: third parties are the fundamental risk00:39:22 How Botanix aims to remove intermediaries from the entire financial system00:42:05 Digital property rights and how Bitcoin reduces incentives for violence00:45:43 Technology, intent, and the evolution of modern defense00:49:56 The proper role of government: protecting private property00:50:02 One question for Satoshi and thoughts on Bitcoin privacy00:53:05 The future of Bitcoin privacy and transparency00:55:24 Final call to action: stake small, experiment, and help build the new financial system00:56:13 AI-generated outro

Had the opportunity to sit down with my friend, Sean, for a long, winding conversation about the state of Bitcoin, AI, and the deeper cultural forces shaping our world. We talk through Sean’s recent trip to El Salvador and what Bitcoin adoption looks like on the ground there. We explore how the current cycle feels quieter, more institutional, and what that might mean for the future of circular economies and grassroots adoption.From there, we dig into the rise of Bitcoin treasury companies, why they're drawing comparisons to past cycles’ altcoins, and whether this trend represents innovation or distraction. We talk about arbitrage, financial gunpowder, and AI. Such as how it’s being used, abused, and overhyped, and why it's important to maintain discernment and agency in an era where machines increasingly do our thinking.There’s also discussion of time preference, culture under fiat, the surveillance web, Nostr, stablecoins, rent-seeking, and why so many modern jobs feel hollow. At its heart, this is a conversation between two people trying to make sense of a rapidly changing world, through the lens of sound money, meaningful work, and the desire to create rather than consume.Follow me on X: https://x.com/ConorChepenikFollow Sean on X: https://x.com/sovereign_seanFollow me on Medium:   / chepenikconor  Follow Sean on Medium:   / seandudgeon  Time Codes00:00:00 Cold open + Block Height Check-in00:00:37 Why This Cycle Feels Different00:01:18 El Salvador: Real-World Bitcoin Use00:04:01 Lightning vs Credit Cards00:06:08 Circular Economies & Store of Value00:07:56 Treasury Companies = This Cycle's Altcoins?00:10:30 Strategy, MNAV, and the Game They're Playing00:13:04 Arbitrage & Paper Bitcoin00:16:40 What Happens in a Bitcoin Bankruptcy?00:19:00 Equity ≠ Bitcoin | Real Self-Custody Matters00:22:00 Fiat Arbitrage & The Tether Irony00:25:00 Microsoft, Dividends & Missed Bitcoin00:28:26 Gunpowder Metaphor for AI & Bitcoin00:31:00 AI Circle Jerk vs Real AI Tools00:37:00 Hertz AI Nightmare – Dystopia Incoming00:41:30 AI vs AI: Legal & Customer Service Arms Race00:47:00 Recursive Prompting & Flattery Traps00:52:00 Marshmallow Test: Bitcoin vs AI Adoption00:56:00 Why Culture Is Rotting Under Fiat01:01:00 Modern Art, Virtue, and Beauty Under Bitcoin01:03:00 Degenerate Sports Betting & Cultural Decline01:06:00 Real Hobbies vs Fiat-Enabled Vices01:09:00 Nostr, Surveillance, & Internet Reformation01:13:40 Sean's New Role at Sovereign01:15:00 Final Thoughts on Value Creation & Fiat Decay

In this episode of the Conor Chepenik Podcast, returning guest Ariel Granat joins us for a wide-ranging discussion on technology, economics, and society. We explore how Bitcoin could address current economic challenges and analyze the changing landscape of education and employment. The conversation delves into the powerful influence of social media algorithms and the rise of AI, while also examining the often-overlooked 'divide and conquer' tactics employed in modern politics. We discuss how these strategies distract from core issues like monetary policy and financial literacy. From the potential of decentralized technologies like Nostr to the importance of curating our digital content consumption, this episode offers insights into navigating our rapidly evolving world. Join us as we contemplate the complex interplay of technology, politics, and personal freedom in shaping our future.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/conorchepenik/

In this episode of The Conor Chepenik Podcast, we sat down with Corey Paul, a passionate Bitcoin advocate and small business owner who makes amazing golf clubs, to explore the revolutionary impact of Bitcoin on the global financial landscape. This conversation delves deep into the transformative power of Bitcoin for individuals, businesses, and nations alike.

Corey shares his personal journey into the world of Bitcoin, from his initial skepticism to becoming a fervent believer in its potential. The discussion covers a wide range of topics, including:

- How Bitcoin can empower small businesses and potentially revitalize manufacturing in the United States

- The concept of Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset and its implications for corporate finance

- An in-depth analysis of the current U.S. economic situation, including national debt and monetary policies

- The importance of Bitcoin for personal sovereignty and wealth preservation in an increasingly uncertain financial world

- Exploration of recent comments by political figures on Bitcoin and its potential role in addressing national debt

- The profound implications of a potential Bitcoin standard and how it could reshape global economic incentives

Throughout the episode, Corey and Conor draw compelling parallels between Bitcoin's disruptive potential and the historical impact of gunpowder, highlighting how this new technology could fundamentally alter the balance of power in the global financial system.

Whether you're a seasoned Bitcoiner or new to the space, this episode offers valuable insights into why Bitcoin adoption may be crucial for securing your financial future. Corey's passion and expertise shine through as he makes a compelling case for why individuals and businesses should consider adding Bitcoin to their balance sheets.

Time Codes:

00:00:04 - Introduction and background on Corey Paul's Bitcoin journey

00:05:53 - Discussion on Bitcoin's impact on small businesses and manufacturing

00:15:45 - Exploring the concept of Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset

00:24:41 - Analysis of the current state of the U.S. economy and national debt

00:35:35 - The importance of Bitcoin for personal sovereignty and wealth preservation

00:41:19 - Examination of government monetary policies and their consequences

00:50:54 - Bitcoin's potential to reshape global economic incentives

01:03:51 - Trump's recent comments on Bitcoin and national debt

01:14:06 - Discussion on backing the U.S. dollar with Bitcoin and its implications

01:28:30 - Closing thoughts on the importance of Bitcoin adoption for individuals and businesses

Thanks for tuning in :D

Links to Corey's small business: Golf Clubs For Sale | Shop Corey Paul Golf

Connect with Corey on X: ⁠Corey Paul (@CoreyPaulGolf) / X

Connect with me on X: 𝑪𝐡𝙚𝕡 (@ConorChepenik) / X

Episode 36 of the Conor Chepenik podcast features @sovereign_sean Chep and Sean discuss Bitcoin ETFs, fiat money as a means of control, and the decentralized ethos of Bitcoin.

Time codes:

00:00:30 Bitcoin ETF - Good, Bad, & Ugly

00:06:30 Fiat as a means of control

00:15:40 Kicking the can down the road

00:24:20 Fedimints & Trade Balances

00:30:00 How capital misallocation ruins a rules based order

00:36:45 Proof of stake vs Proof of work

00:40:00 Savings vs investment

00:41:30 Do you need to expand the money supply for growth?

00:52:00 Companies under a bitcoin standard

01:03:00 Consolidation & centralization vs stability & decentralization 

01:08:29 Inscriptions & Ordinals 

Links: https://x.com/ConorChepenik/status/1720512960752218298

https://www.fxhedgers.com/p/you-will-borrow-and-youll-like-it

In episode 35, I read through and briefly analyze a constitution I authored for the Constitution of Consent competition put on by Underthrow and other sponsors. This document aims to empower sovereign individuals as the core building blocks of society in an era of technological disruption and decentralization. It provides an insightful framework for how principles of independence, free association, and self-determination can flourish, even as traditional power structures face new challenges.

If you want to read the final piece on your own time you can find the work here: https://medium.com/@chepenikconor/day-571-7e5bb6e9acc9

Episode 34 of the Conor Chepenik Podcast features me scrolling through Twitter, Stacker News, & Nostr. This is a value 4 value podcast so consider liking, commenting, or zapping if you got value out of this episode.

my npub: npub16syt2k5uky4pxycfttxrxmwwzht2t3008f2q68kw4almjl4guu9qea8t7y

my twitter: https://twitter.com/ConorChepenik

Stacker News referral link: https://stacker.news/r/Chep

Episode 33 of the Conor Chepenik podcast features a read of Gibson's Fracturing Of The Big Club. Thanks for listening.

If you got some value out of this episode consider supporting the show with a like, comment, subscribe, or by zapping me some sats at https://binmucker.com/

Episode 32 of The Conor Chepenik Podcast is a read of Nick Szabo's Smart Contracts. Szabo shows incredible foresight in this piece and I hope you guys learn something from this fantastic article. I know I did.