Point 1 : #bitcoin-assets is the forum.

ninjashogun So what I was thinking is that this isn't a real 'forum' (in that most IRC channels are basically just trolls etc) and that I would just escalate to another form of contact (skype etc) and be in touch while it gets rolled out.

mircea_popescu No, this is the real forum. When the SEC wanted to talk to me I forced them to come here..

ninjashogun You're kidding right?

mircea_popescu I'm dead serious. This is the forum.

Note that the knowledge of this fact does not give you blanket license to speak there. See the rules and regulations, spend at least six months reading the logs, and generally follow the behaviour expected of children in civilised societies.

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Point #2, ancient and oft repeated :

TALKING ABOUT BITCOIN, EVEN IF IN A GROUP, DOES NOT MAKE YOU PART OF BITCOIN.

This specifically includes all groups of foreigners to our esteemed Republic, and equally so : whether it be irrelevant derps such as Tom Carper or such as The Bitcoin Wife, it's all the same.

Bitcoin is not here for you to opine about it. Bitcoin is here to profoundly and oft times painfully change your life. Whether you agree or not, whether you give permission or not, whether you think it "acceptable" or "called for" or whatever else. Nobody asked you, nobody intends to ask you.

The available stategies open before you are quite the same as the raped woman has historically encountered : either learn to love your rapist and make him an excellent wife - or else die, beaten black and blue.

You are the raped woman. Get used to it, because this Bitcock ain't gonna suck itself.

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Point #3. We keep track, and we know where you live. It isn't a matter of Bitcoin "being anonymous" or not. It's a matter of you not being anonymous. Not now, not ever.

You may think you're at liberty to write any idiocy, to emit any stupidity, to engage in any activity. This delusion of yours is both unwelcome and dangerous (for you). Whatever you think shields you now and hope will in the future shield you from the consequences of your actions - be it self-allocated "immunity" in the manner the various Nazi officials told each other that they won't ever prosecute themselves for anything they do ; be it a misunderstanding of the freedom of the press ; be it the Caliban nature of youth - will probably not behave in the way you expect. This is why you're encouraged to only speak once you understand enough of the forum and of reality : to protect you. From yourself, historically your biggest enemy.

You will in the future need a job, just like you need a job today. You will need friends in the future, just like you need friends today. You will need many plurious things you need today without even knowing about it. Careful what you say about Bitcoin and careful what you do. We sure as all hell keep track and there is no force on earth which may wash your public record any more than it can wash the blockchain. It's forever, Bitcoin plays for keeps, and this may well end up costing you.

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