Fundamentals of Fundamentals

https://www.magicinternetmath.comIn this solo episode, I press on an uncomfortable but important gap in Bitcoin’s “don’t trust, verify” culture: the moment you actually buy. We obsess over self-custody, nodes, air‑gapped cold storage, Tor, and Lightning—but almost nobody verifies the asset at point of purchase. I explore why that blind spot exists, how escrow and multisig workflows could mitigate...

In this solo “special” for Episode 5, I step back from our usual co-hosted format with Rob to share the why and how behind Magic Internet Math. I walk through what’s live today—100+ free courses, skill-building games, and several proof‑of‑concept video series—and explain the core idea driving it all: teaching math as a liberal art. I trace the project’s roots through my own journey from actuarial...

https://www.magicinternetmath.comIn this solo “Fundamentals of Fundamentals” episode, I dig into the real economics of guarantees—what they are, why they always cost something, and how misunderstanding their boundaries breeds bad decisions. I walk through intuitive examples (from a 3 PM pickup promise to banks and letters of credit) and the institutional mechanics I used to run—hedging market...

In this solo rip, I unpack why the term “Plebslop” resonated so hard and use it to frame a bigger critique of purity tests in Bitcoin culture. I trace how the pleb meme drifted from useful humility to low-signal tribalism, how post-FTX call‑out dynamics hardened into gatekeeping, and why “protecting plebs” became a trap for engagement farming. From my own journey—years leading in woke circles,...

In this emergency FoF, I address a mischaracterization sparked by a boost I left for my friends at The Bugle Weekly and their conversation with Matt Odell. I set the record straight: I don’t have “Odell Derangement Syndrome.” My criticism after last year’s Rabbit Hole Recap comedy event in Nashville wasn’t about jokes or stage chops—it was about the aftermath and the culture of fear I witnessed...

Summary: This conversation explores the unique nature of hodling Bitcoin as a distinctly human action, contrasting it with the capabilities of artificial intelligence and the challenges faced by institutions in maintaining Bitcoin holdings. The discussion highlights the limitations of AI in predicting human behavior, the inherent pressures on institutions to sell, and the potential for...

risk-fundamentals.ghost.io/everybody-has-a-price/summaryThis conversation explores the dynamics of power, reputation, and economic warfare in the context of revolutionary movements and the emergence of Bitcoin. It discusses how historical methods of suppressing dissent have evolved from overt violence to more insidious tactics like reputation smearing and co-optation. The discussion culminates in...

SummaryThis conversation explores the rise and fall of two Bitcoin companies, Swan and Fold. Swan was once highly respected and known for calling out scams in the industry, but their reputation took a hit when their custodian, Prime Trust, went bankrupt. On the other hand, Fold built alternative rails and avoided the Prime Trust issue, leading to their upcoming IPO. The conversation raises the...

Summary. In this conversation, Fundamentals reflects on his transition from a long career in the fiat world to the world of Bitcoin. He compares his journey to the biblical story of Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus, and contemplates the purpose of his deep dive into mathematics. He discusses the importance of personal integrity and conviction in navigating the Bitcoin world and contrasts himself...

In this episode, the host shares two stories from his stand-up comedy journey. The first story is about a disastrous performance in New York where the crowd hated him, but he learned to overcome it by using self-deprecating humor. The second story is about dealing with a heckler, where he found the courage to stand up for himself and gained a newfound confidence. These stories highlight the...