HOME

Censorship Industrial Complex On Steroids With AI An Insane Attempt To Threaten Free Speech Goes Next Level

Leave a comment

Censorship Industrial Complex On Steroids With AI. An Insane Attempt To Threaten Free Speech Goes Next Level

The erosion of confidence in governments globally has led to a surge in efforts to suppress dissenting voices and limit the dissemination of information deemed unfavorable by those in power. In other words, truths they don’t like. The recent Congressional Hearing on the Weaponization of the Federal Government has exposed the alarming extent to which some governments are willing to go to silence opposition and maintain their grip on power. 

It has shed light on a disturbing trend: the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) that will enable the government to suppress what it considers as mis or disinformation with unprecedented efficiency and effectiveness. Using AI for censorship has created a dangerous alliance between government agencies and powerful corporations, further undermining the principles of democracy and the ability to seek the truth and speak the truth. 
 


Source: Truthstream Media X

In early February 2024, a subcommittee hearing was held to discuss the recent attempts by governments and agencies to censor online content, posing a threat to the fundamental right to free speech. This summary highlights the key points and issues addressed during the hearing and ways to resist these efforts and safeguard your constitutional freedom of expression.

To begin, a brief overview is needed. A political committee at Capitol Hill focuses explicitly on examining how the government's powers are being utilized as weapons. This committee was formed in January 2023 and has stirred up much debate. This is mainly because most of the subcommittee's discussions have centered on critiquing the current administration's utilization of governmental authority. While these discussions may seem biased, the substance of the dialogue holds value.

According to the Judiciary Committee's website, the hearing focuses on the federal government's role in funding the development of high-powered censorship and propaganda tools that governments and big tech can use to monitor and censor speech at scale. 


Source: Judiciary Committee 

From all accounts, the hearing was convened in response to a recent exposé by The Daily Caller, which revealed that the National Science Foundation (NSF), a separate government agency in the US, had allocated $40 million towards developing online censorship tools. The report's author, Katelynn Richardson, suggests that this investment is part of a more considerable effort by the U.S. government to create a "censorship industrial complex" through the funding of AI research initiatives.

Just so you know, governments globally are following suit and implementing similar measures to curb online freedom. This article provides an overview of the various internet censorship laws enacted worldwide.

Katelynn was among the four individuals who provided testimony. The other three witnesses were Greg Lukianoff, CEO and President of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), Lee Fang, an investigative journalist known for his work on the Twitter files, which exposed collaboration between big tech and governments to silence dissenting voices, and Norman Eisen, a former U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic. 

It's worth noting that although the motivations behind this hearing were likely partisan, the information that came to light is crucial for everyone to be aware of, regardless of their political affiliations or geographical location.

The utilization of these powerful instruments is not limited to any particular administration or government. Consequently, it's essential to recognize that the same tools employed against individuals you disapprove of today could be directed toward you in the future. The notion that you may hold a non-partisan stance does not necessarily ensure your immunity, as historical patterns suggest a tendency towards the escalation of such measures. Some might argue that we're currently witnessing the manifestation of this phenomenon.


Source: Judiciary.House.gov

The Hearing – Opening Statements

The hearing commenced with opening statements from politicians from both Republican and Democrat parties. Chairman Jim Jordan was the first to address the assembly, and he began by enumerating instances where the U.S. government had collaborated with major technology companies to suppress legitimate speech. His list was extensive and included several notable examples. Additionally, he drew attention to a recent investigative report that revealed the U.S. government had pressured Amazon to restrict specific book titles on its platform during the pandemic.

Jim expressed concern that censorship tactics are advancing with generative AI technology, which has gained widespread attention. He referenced quotes from studies on censorship funded by the U.S. government, highlighting the potential for these tools to circumvent legal responsibility by operating through automated programs rather than individuals subject to legal repercussions.

However, the most incriminating statement highlighted the fact that certain studies are deliberately aiming to reach rural and indigenous communities, veterans, older adults, and military families through their internet censorship mechanisms, as they believe these groups are the most susceptible to mis and disinformation. It insinuates these minorities are too stupid to know the truth. Or perhaps these demographics often place their faith in entities beyond the government's control, posing a challenge for those in power.

Jim then disclosed that another proposal document stated that reactive content moderation (usually performed by humans) is too slow and ineffective. The focus is, therefore, on certain tools that implement proactive censorship, meaning that any online content you post will be censored before you complete typing it. Notably, these are the types of concepts that have been extensively debated at the World Economic Forum's yearly gatherings.

Ranking member Stacey Plaskett was the next speaker, and she rejected Jim's remarks as a conspiracy theory. She expressed her frustration that she has to sit through repeated discussions on the subject, six times to be exact, emphasizing that the real weaponization of the government occurred during the prior administration.


Source: Video of hearing

Witnesses Opening Statements

The witnesses had their chance to share their opening statements, free from the influence of partisan agendas. First, Katelynn Richardson began by expressing her concern about the U.S. government's potential involvement in creating a censorship-industrial complex. She then disclosed that numerous censorship studies she uncovered last year are still in progress.

Katelynn pointed out that a censorship-industrial complex is rising as a new sector receiving substantial government funding, not unlike the expanding crypto compliance industry aimed at satisfying the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). She noted that she has questioned these entities about their studies. Katelynn also mentioned that she had challenged these institutions about their research. In response, they initiated a marketing campaign to justify their censorship efforts as a means of safeguarding democracy. This excuse has become a common justification for government overreach in recent times.

Lee Fang, the second witness to testify, discussed the potential for AI to facilitate unparalleled levels of censorship. He drew from his personal experience working on the Twitter files to illustrate how large pharmaceutical companies and their affiliated organizations have partnered with big tech to suppress online content.

Lee recently shared that although these programs were paused after the pandemic, they were reinstated around the middle of last year. He pointed out that various tools created by governments to combat terrorism are now being utilized against their own people. He cautioned that these tactics could be exploited by whoever was in power to silence political adversaries and emphasized the need for a nonpartisan approach to the committee's work.

Greg Lukianoff was the third witness to give testimony. He described how FIRE works to protect free speech rights from government interference nationwide, advocating for both right-wing and left-wing causes. He warned that the battles they have fought so far will seem insignificant compared to the challenges that lie ahead with the emergence of AI. Additionally, Lukianoff highlighted the issue of AI alignment, which, in theory, involves teaching AI to follow instructions but, in practice, often translates to teaching AI to comply with government dictates.

Greg emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) is merely a tool that can enhance freedom of speech, much like the internet. He drew an analogy between the internet, AI, and the printing press, which brought about the downfall of religious control over governments. However, Greg noted that this is only possible if AI can develop freely in a decentralized environment without excessive regulation. Over-regulation risks undesirable consequences such as censorship and may hinder the United States' technological competitiveness.

Norman Eisen took his turn to speak, displaying a strong bias typical of such hearings by passionately advocating for government collaboration with major tech and AI companies. He dismissed accusations of fearmongering from his fellow panelists and asserted that it is permissible for the government to engage in such partnerships. Furthermore, he stressed that the government has the right to express its reservations to tech giants and to fund various AI initiatives. Eisen also revealed his initiative to provide a scholarship for individuals interested in delving into the intersection of AI and democracy.

The Q&A Session Begins.

Thomas Massie [R] was the first to pose a question during the session. He directed his inquiry to Lee, who disclosed a shocking revelation regarding the government's utilization of AI censorship initiatives. A program is in place that employs the creation of AI-powered social media bots designed to engage in arguments with individuals whom the government deems to be propagating false or misleading information. 

In other words, if you have ever voiced an opinion on social media that contradicts the government's stance and subsequently received a barrage of responses from suspicious-looking accounts, these were likely AI bots funded by the government. 

Regrettably, the left-leaning politicians chose to overlook the AI censorship problem caused by the current government, dismissing it as a futile concern. Instead, they emphasized the perceived bleak and harmful consequences for the United States if Donald Trump were to win the presidential election. This biased stance was unproductive and not deserving of attention here; however, you can find the complete hearing by following this link, which is worth viewing. Following my initial frustration, I found myself chuckling.

Kelly Armstrong [R] presented a comprehensive list of the U.S. government for research on censorship and inquired with Katelynn about a specific grant aimed at training students for job roles related to disinformation. This initiative represents what Katelynn referred to as the censorship-industrial complex.  She affirmed that this program was indeed a summer internship opportunity for students who had received government funding. Kelly then questioned her about the curriculum focusing on recognizing misinformation.

Katelynn said there were many things, but the primary emphasis was on election-related information. The fact that more than 4.2 billion individuals worldwide are expected to participate in elections this year is quite alarming. It appears that governments are determined to maintain the status quo by supporting established candidates. The question then arises: Why have they yet to introduce a transparent blockchain voting system? The likely answer is simple enough to figure out.

After an unrelated partisan commentary and one question directed at Norman Eisen about Trump from anti-crypto politician Stephen Lynch [D], Jim questioned Lee Fang about his opening statement, specifically regarding a 2012 hearing on government funding for censorship programs. Jim confirmed that this was indeed the case and that the opposing political party was pushing for online censorship at the time. However, Greg Lukianoff pointed out that the tables have now turned and that one should not celebrate using these tools, even if they are being used against individuals they dislike, as they could potentially be used against them in the future.

The queries continued, with John Garamendi [D] taking his turn. Similar to his political peers, his inquiry was tainted with partisanship. Nevertheless, he disclosed a noteworthy detail: conservative groups have devised a strategic plan called Project 2025 to reform the U.S. government. This information is significant because it suggests that the growing opposition globally may not be as spontaneous as it appears and seems to be controlled.

In plain terms, the various individuals and organizations claiming to challenge the current state of affairs are, in fact, integral to the same dominant system they purport to oppose. A prime illustration of this phenomenon is that numerous purported opposition leaders who have risen to power in various nations are affiliated with the World Economic Forum (WEF). This article reveals how the WEF maintains programs designed to assist their preferred candidates in attaining elected office globally.

It is improbable that Project 2025 has any connection to the World Economic Forum (WEF), considering the initiative is reportedly led by the Heritage Foundation, whose president gained widespread attention for criticizing the WEF at the Davos gathering.

Following some biased inquiries from Darrell Issa [D] and Stacey Plaskett [D], Greg Steube [R] queried Lee about NewsGuard, an organization that assesses the accuracy of news sources. Lee indicated that he had devoted considerable effort to researching NewsGuard and described it as part of the expanding misinformation industry.

Lee discovered that NewsGuard has secured military agreements and is exerting an impact on how traditional media covers topics related to foreign policy. This development is not surprising given the history of the CIA's Operation Mockingbird. This program was used to manipulate US media outlets for propaganda during the Cold War. Although Operation Mockingbird officially ended in the 1970s, many believe that its practices continue to be employed in some form today.

Following a series of partisan questions from Representatives Sylvia Garcia [D] and Dan Goldman [D], who claimed there’s no evidence of government coercion regarding social media censorship and reiterated the committee was a useless waste of time and “the true weaponization, the threat of weaponization of the federal government is Donald Trump and the Republicans, and we should move on from this charade.” 

The chairman, Jim Jordan, interjected to point out that Dan Goldman had previously acknowledged in a related hearing that the U.S. government had been requesting big tech companies to remove certain content but that these companies had only complied with such requests 35% of the time.

Kat Cammack [R] reinforced Jim's message by stating she has tangible evidence of the censorship previously orchestrated by the present government and agencies. She also emphasized that the purpose of the hearing was not to engage in political posturing but to confront the growing threat of digital authoritarianism emanating from the US government. She stressed that this issue affects everyday citizens and warned that those who assume they are immune will be caught off guard. 

Despite this, the hearing continued to be impured by partisan bickering, with Stacy Plaskett [D] leading the charge and Harriet Hageman [R] attempting to set the record straight. Harriet also highlights that the upscaling of AI technology can provide censorship operations, and the scope of it is astonishing. Quoting an example of one company’s pitch to the NSF boasting that it was using AI to monitor 750,000 blogs and media articles daily as well as mining data from the major social media platforms. 

Pro-crypto politician Warren Davidson [R] finally had his turn to speak. He brought up a topic that other speakers avoided discussing: the potential creation of a digital identification system by the US government. Warren then turned to Greg for data supporting the claim that censorship is increasing. Greg shared a surprising statistic – 2020 and 2021 recorded the highest number of college professors terminated in the United States since the 1930s.

Greg highlighted that professors across the political spectrum have been affected. He continued to assert that removing academics who resisted conforming to the prevailing norms amid the pandemic has paved the way for a potentially dystopian future in artificial intelligence. Greg pointed out that the remaining scholars, who are now working on AI censorship technology funded by the government, have all complied with the imposed expectations.

Following some politically charged remarks by Jim, Russell Fry [R] made a striking observation. He pointed out that to secure government funding for research related to censorship, one must actively seek it out. This implies that individuals who receive such grants are, in effect, proactively seeking to expand their censorship capabilities from the get-go.

Russell sought Greg's insight on addressing the issue, and Greg's response was illuminating and unexpected. Contrary to popular belief, Greg argued that relying on regulations would not be effective, as it would inevitably lead to further centralization and increase the risk of future control mechanisms. Instead, the key to resolving this problem lies in decentralization, specifically developing and implementing decentralized AI systems that preclude any single entity from wielding such control.


Image by Markethive.com

Combating Online Censorship

The pressing concern now is how to counteract the growing online censorship trend. The first step is to acknowledge the importance of presenting truthful information in a composed and well-reasoned manner, supported by logical arguments and factual evidence. By doing so, we can effectively communicate our message and create a more informed public discourse.

Frequently, individuals try to communicate the truth using exaggerated language, offensive remarks, and other content that may be considered offensive, which can lead to censorship regardless of the message's intent. While some argue that individuals should be free to express themselves in such ways, the reality is that such language may not be tolerated in all cultures and societies. In some countries, like the US, there is a greater emphasis on freedom of speech, but in other parts of the world, there are stricter guidelines around what can and cannot be said.

The second approach is to choose which issues to address carefully. As many people do on specific platforms, there is no point in screaming about an issue into the void. Similarly, arguing with government-backed AI bots supported by the government is usually unproductive. If it is unlikely that anyone's perspective will shift, it is better to refrain from the discussion. Instead, consider sharing your concerns with someone open to listening and empathizing. It is more effective to communicate truths with individuals you are familiar with, as this may lead to the information being disseminated effectively.

This relates to the third point, recognizing that the type of AI-based censorship many governments implement can only occur on specific social media platforms.  Engaging with like-minded individuals in person or online makes you less likely to experience its effects. However, it is essential to avoid isolating yourself within an echo chamber.

It's crucial to recognize that avoiding the issue of censorship won't make it disappear. It can eventually impact you if left unaddressed, even if you try to ignore it. Unfortunately, it might not always be possible to fight back. Fortunately, though, you don't always need to. 

This pertains to the fourth solution, which involves utilizing alternative platforms that are not vulnerable to online censorship being imposed. Although centralized platforms that uphold free speech still exist, they are under increasing scrutiny by authorities and will likely have to adhere to regulations. As a result, decentralized platforms have emerged as the sole alternative, providing an unrestricted space for online interactions.

This article about the narratives of the next crypto bull market illustrates that decentralized social media is becoming a prominent force as the authorities and bureaucrats will do anything and everything to dumb us down and use taxpayer dollars to do it. So, we are essentially funding our own censorship, and it’s not just in the pursuit of revealing truths online but also in asking questions that require answers that don’t follow their narrative. People may have to adopt decentralized media out of necessity. 

This pertains to the final point: voting for leaders committed to protecting free speech as it is a fundamental right that supersedes all else. Despite some people's dismissive views, the significance of free speech cannot be overstated, which is why it is enshrined in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Without free speech, it becomes difficult to seek the truth, and when you don't know the truth, it becomes challenging to live per reality, which is based on the truth. When it becomes difficult to live in reality, society starts to collapse, and when society starts to collapse, everyone loses, eventually, including those in positions of power. 

In a nutshell, combating censorship involves sharing truthful information in a manner that resonates with people, exploring alternative channels when online avenues are restricted, and supporting political candidates who champion free speech to prevent such limitations from arising. For many individuals, 2024 presents a critical opportunity to exercise their democratic voice before this dystopian nightmare takes hold.

Thank God for Markethive! 

 

Editor and Chief Markethive: Deb Williams. (Australia) I thrive on progress and champion freedom of speech.  I embrace "Change" with a passion, and my purpose in life is to enlighten people to accept and move forward with enthusiasm. Find me at my Markethive Profile Page | My Twitter Account | and my LinkedIn Profile.

 

 

 

 

 

Tim Moseley

HOME

Gold bears are hibernating this week as the market sees record closing price

Leave a comment

Gold bears are hibernating this week as the market sees record closing price

A record weekly close for gold is fueling significant bullish sentiment in the marketplace; however, some analysts have said that this breakout still needs to be tested, and investors should be careful about chasing prices.

Results of the Kitco News Weekly Gold Survey show that both Wall Street analysts and retail investors are cautiously optimistic about gold next week.

Gold prices managed to push above $2,050 an ounce Thursday after The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge showed a benign rise in consumer prices. After a slow start Friday, the precious metal started to attract some followthrough buying momentum following weaker-than-expected manufacturing and sentiment data.

April gold futures last traded at $2,095.20 an ounce, up 2% from last week. The precious metal’s best performance since late November has created a new record closing price.

While the rally has breathed new life into the precious metals market, some analysts have said that the price action remains sensitive as profit-taking and volatility could push prices back to within their well-defined channel.

Adam Button, chief currency strategist at Forexlive.com, said that Friday’s rally shows how much potential gold has; however, he added that he doesn’t see the rally as being backed by strong fundamentals.

“I just don’t see how a miss in ISM manufacturing could drive prices this high. I would be more convinced this rally was sustainable if it came after really disappointing employment numbers,” he said. “I think investors do need to pay attention because this shows how many investors are waiting for the dollar to crack before jumping into the market.”

James Stanley, senior market strategist at Forex.com, said that he is also not chasing the market, even as he anticipates higher prices in the near-term.

“I don’t think the pivot at the Fed is here yet. And while I have been very bullish on gold the past few weeks, even after the 2k test, spot [prices] trading over $2,075 is something I don’t want to chase here. That was the level that caught the high in 2020 and has remained a significant roadblock for bulls in the three and a half years since,” he said. “The NFP report is going to be a big deal for macro next week, but that’s not until Friday, so there could be some testing around $2100, but I’m not optimistic enough on drive beyond that level to chase the move while near that long-term resistance.”

This week, 14 analysts participated in the Kitco News Gold Survey and not one is bearish on gold in the near term. The survey showed 11 analysts, or 79%, were bullish on gold. At the same time, three analysts, or 21%, were neutral on the precious metal.

Meanwhile, Main Street investor sentiment continues to improve steadily. This week, 175 votes were cast in Kitco’s online survey. In a slight improvement from last week, 77 retail investors,representing 44%, looked for gold to rise next week. Another 43, or 25%, predicted it would be lower, while 55 respondents, or 31%, were neutral on the near-term prospects for the precious metal.

Marc Chandler, Managing Director at Bannockburn Global Forex, said $2,088 could represent a major resistance point for gold next week.

“Beyond that is the record high set on that spike in early December to $2135.60. I think we will see a need for the dollar’s resilience to buckle, and that may take greater confidence in a near-term Fed cut. Some Wall Street economists have begun giving up on a cut, and former Treasury Secretary Summers has cautioned that the next move may still be a hike,” he said.

Phillip Strieble, chief market strategist at Blue Line Futures, said that while gold’s rally is impressive, he would like to see gold hold higher support to confirm that this isn’t another bull trap.

Some analysts have said that while gold is seeing an impressive rally, it faces significant resistance at $2,100 an ounce.

Sean Lusk, co-director of commercial hedging at Walsh Trading, said that he sees potential for gold to go higher but remains hesitant to chase the market.

“We have been consolidating for a while now, so this could have some teeth to it,” he said.

Lusk added that investors could look at options to get some exposure to gold and take advantage of the market's momentum. He added that a medium-term play would be to buy $2,100 August gold calls and sell $2,275 February gold puts.

“A modest 5% rally takes the market to $2,175,” he said. “Should August 2100 call trade $70 in the money, we could collect $5K to $6K per spread upon exit, in my opinion.”

Kitco Media

Neils Christensen

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

HOME

Solana Explodes by 30 in a Week Factors Behind The Move Suggest SOL Could Go Crazy In March

Leave a comment

Solana Explodes by 30% in a Week — Factors Behind The Move Suggest SOL Could Go Crazy In March

By Georgi Farfarov – March 3, 2024

The crypto market has been on its toes as Solana has seen an explosive surge of over 30% in just one week, reaching its 23-month high. The impressive rally has sparked confidence and curiosity within the crypto community, prompting a closer examination of the factors driving Solana’s recent ascent.

Today, we delve into the factors behind Solana’s remarkable surge and explore the crucial question: Can Solana sustain this momentum?

As of March 3, SOL is trading at $130.69, marking an impressive 34.2% gain over the past seven days. Despite being the fifth-largest cryptocurrency, Solana has moved closer to its competitor, BNB. The surge raises questions about the sustainability of this momentum and whether Solana can continue outperforming its competitors.

Factors Fueling Solana’s Rally

Multiple factors contribute to Solana’s recent surge. Price momentum, market conditions, recent news, supply and demand, and others all come into play.

The performance of Solana meme coins, including BONK and WIF, adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. BONK has surged by 115%, while WIF has rallied an impressive 268% in the past week.

Solana’s Total Value Locked (TVL) and NFT Dominance

We turn to Solana’s Total Value Locked (TVL) in smart contracts to see if SOL’s surge is sustainable. With SOL playing a crucial role in decentralized applications (DApps), a higher TVL signifies increased user engagement and demand for Solana-based DApps. Data from Solana shows that its TVL is at the highest level since November 2022.

Solana’s strong presence in the NFT marketplace further distinguishes it from competitors. With a weekly volume of $7.9 billion, Solana’s dominance in the NFT space is clear. And it contributes to its overall utility, potentially attracting a broader user base.

Can Solana Sustain the Momentum?

While Solana’s recent surge is undoubtedly impressive, the crypto market remains dynamic and subject to various influences. Market conditions, sentiment shifts, and fundamental indicators signal Solana could very likely sustain its outperformance against competitors in March.

As we analyze the factors behind this impressive move, the crucial question lingers: Can Solana maintain its momentum in the ever-changing crypto landscape? The coming days will likely determine whether Solana’s surge is a short-term phenomenon or the beginning of a sustained upward trajectory.

DISCLAIMER

The views expressed in the article are wholly those of the author and do not represent those of, nor should they be attributed to, ZyCrypto. This article is not meant to give financial advice. Please carry out your own research before investing in any of the various cryptocurrencies available.

The original article written by Georgi Farfarov and posted on ZyCrypto.com.

Article reposted on Markethive by Jeffrey Sloe

** Loans, secure funding for business projects in the USA and around the world. Learn more about USA & International Financing at Commercial Funding International. **

Tim Moseley

HOME

Why Innovation Can Make a Difference in Your Life

Leave a comment

Why Innovation Can Make a Difference in Your Life


Everyone have this talent, but they are under the impression that they do not. What is the power of innovation? Believe it or not, if you have ever been impressed by the creative abilities of another person, you are also capable of creating and innovating. We simply need more time. Every person is creative from birth. The boxes of crayons in kindergarten were not restricted to only those students who had promise; the fact of the matter is that everyone has the ability to be successful.

You are aware of how much time it took you to learn how to ride a bike or drive, or how long it took you to never make the same mistake again? In the same vein, innovation is the same. When this mental function is called upon, it takes a significant amount of time and a little bit of experience before it comes naturally to mind. You will learn a few pointers in this post that will educate you how to incorporate innovation into your life.

Never pay attention to what other people have to say. Be sure to move in the rhythm of your own drum. Including the contributions of other individuals can only result in the creation of a cacophony in the music that you are attempting to create. In the event that you have a novel concept, you should not squander your time and energy attempting to explain it to other people. No, they won't. In addition, the assistance that you will most likely receive will be in the form of negative feedback. There is a good chance that we would still be living in the middle ages if all of those brilliant people listened to their contemporaries.

Invest some time in it. Despite the fact that I cannot stress this point enough, I would like to caution you not to take my advice to mean that you should completely abandon your day job. It is not. There is some tough time management involved here, but if you have a little bit of discipline, you will be able to fit both of these things in.

Work out. Get out and walk. Try to run a mile or two. Release all of those endorphins that are currently flowing through your veins. Exercising unquestionably helps to clear and relax your mind, which in turn makes it easier for anything to come to mind.

Make a note of your dreams. Isn't it true that some of them are the most bizarre things that your conscious mind would never have dreamed of? In the event that you have experienced these dreams in the past, which I am certain you have, this merely demonstrates the latent source of inventiveness that lies within you. Write down those notes, will we? It is possible that those dreams will set off a creative spark within you.

Create your own unique look. There is no way to differentiate between a Van Gogh and a Matisse. Because of the selection of words on the paper, you will be able to tell that Hemingway wrote something. Therefore, the situation is the same with you. Because it is entirely original to you and because no one else would have thought of what you were thinking, people would appreciate your innovation more than they would have otherwise. People will be able to realize how great an asset you are as a result of this.

Don't try to conceal yourself behind cool equipment or devices. It is not necessary to purchase the most expensive range of paints in order to create a masterpiece. The same process applies to writing. For a bestseller, you do not want a fountain pen that is extremely expensive or paper that is exceptionally smooth. In point of fact, J.K. Rowling penned the first book in the Harry Potter series on pieces of tissue paper. What difference does it make if you have a high-priced SLR camera if you are also a terrible photographer? What difference does it make whether you have a glitzy laptop if you are unable to write the least bit? As the artist becomes more skilled at his profession, he is able to limit the amount of tools he possesses because he is aware of what makes him successful and what does not.

Nothing will be successful if passion is lacking. What is it that gets you startled in the morning? What causes the flame to continue to burn? What is the one thing that in the event that you do not perform, you will perish? In some cases, those who possess talent are surpassed by those who have a greater desire to possess it. The hare and the tortoise are a good example. There was a time when Ellen Degeneres made the statement that if you are not doing something that you want to do, then you are not truly interested in doing it. That is accurate, as well. At times, you simply want something so badly that you become virtually unstoppable in your pursuit of it. It is the essence of passion. Driven by passion, you will persevere.

No need to be concerned about inspiration. There is no way to force inspiration; it comes to you when you least expect it to, and in order to be ready for those moments that are unpredictable yet unavoidable, you need prepare. A concept might occur to you while you are riding the subway, but unfortunately, you do not have a piece of paper with which to jot down a notion that has the potential to alter the course of history of the entire planet. Stay away from these catastrophes. Always make sure that you have a pen and paper within easy reach of your armchair.

I have high hopes that this post has assisted you in incorporating more novelty into your life. Remember that you are doing these things for your personal satisfaction and not for the satisfaction of anyone else except yourself. Soon enough, however, they will become aware of it, and from that point on, everything should avalanche.

markethive

Tim Moseley

HOME

Gold market sees new record closing price but the major test is next week

Leave a comment

Gold market sees new record closing price, but the major test is next week

With gold prices pushing to within striking distance of $2,100 an ounce, seeing a new record settlement Friday, the market is setting itself up for a major week ahead, one filled with significant macroeconomic risks.

April gold futures settled Friday at $2,095.70 an ounce, a record close for the precious metal and up more than 2% from last week. The rally started Thursday as prices pushed above initial resistance above $2,050 an ounce after the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge showed a benign rise in consumer prices.

The gold market is seeing its best weekly gains since November

Meanwhile, silver managed to end the week with a 1% gain, with prices back above $23 an ounce. Although silver continues to underperform gold, some analysts have said it remains an attractive value play in a bull market.

Despite a slow start, disappointing economic data on Friday created some weakness in the U.S. dollar, giving gold and silver room to move quickly to the upside.

“Thursday's and Friday's gains reaffirm gold's ability to rise above its 50-day moving average, which it failed to do a month ago,” said Alex Kuptsikevich, senior market analyst at FxPro.

While gold has managed to break above resistance at $2,050, Kuptsikevich added that the next major resistance level to watch is $2,088. At the same time, the market can see significant upside if the momentum lasts.

“There is an even longer-term scenario. The pullback from the beginning of the year to mid-February is a classic Fibonacci retracement of 61.8% of the first growth impulse from the October lows. The realization of this scenario will be the advance to $2255,” he said.

However, not all analysts are convinced that gold is headed higher, even as it ends the week with significant momentum. In a note Thursday, Nicky Shiels, head of metals strategy at MKS PAMP, noted that gold’s outside move could be the result of its months-long consolidation. She said that momentum can push gold prices higher, but the fundamental picture remains the same, for now.

“With positioning in gold and silver running neutral & short, respectively, technically compressed price action and overall sentiment in precious metals burnt out, it really was a recipe for unexplained outsized moves. Was the PCE a game-changer? No, and not enough data to declare disinflation is about to end, and the Fed may just never cut,” she said in her note. “Can technical rallies extend? Sure. But this is not a catalyst to rope in fresh investor interest, and physical alone doesn’t chase, so it’ll come down to paper shorts and cues provided by macro. Overall, Gold remains bid-to-higher.”

Market analysts at CPM Group are also not optimistic that the gold market can hold Friday’s gains as it is caught in a well-defined trading pattern.

“Gold prices have sold off most every time they have tested resistance levels, and as prices test strong support levels, investors step back into the market, initiating new longs once more. This has kept gold prices in a wide range, mostly above $2,000,” the analysts said in a note late Friday.

“Gold prices are now testing $2,100, having firmly broken above $2,050 yesterday. The market appears to be looking for reasons to go long gold, and taking profits as technical resistance levels are tested,” the analysts added. “It is unclear if prices will continue to climb in the near term, but they already have made strong gains, suggesting the potential for a short-term pullback on profit taking. A retrenchment in prices could push gold back toward $2,075, which could potentially present a buying opportunity should the upward momentum continue.”

Some analysts have noted that gold could face a significant test next week with the release of February’s nonfarm payrolls report. At the same time, markets will be anxious to hear what Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will say in his two days of testimony before Congress.

Adam Button, chief currency strategist at Forexlive.com, said that he will probably be paying more attention to labor market data next week as that could have more impact on the U.S. dollar.

He said weak labor market data could impact the U.S. dollar more than Powell’s comments.

“We basically know what Powell is going to say: interest rates will be coming down, but not anytime soon,” he said. “He will probably also say that the Federal Reserve will continue to monitor incoming data. Weak job growth could sustain gold’s rally.”

It’s not just U.S. economic data that could impact the U.S. dollar. The European Central Bank will meet to decide its monetary policy next week and a hawkish stance could support the euro in the near term.

Commodity analysts at Brown Brothers Harriman said they expect the ECB to strike a cautious tone next week as Europe’s latest inflation data came in hotter than expected.

Economic data to watch next week:

Tuesday: ISM services PMI

Wednesday: ADP employment data, Bank of Canada monetary policy decision, Powell’s testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, JOLTS job openings

Thursday; European Central Bank monetary policy meeting, weekly jobless claims; Powell’s testimony before Senate Banking Committee

Friday: Nonfarm payrolls report
 

Kitco Media

Neils Christensen

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

HOME

Solana On A Roll: Crypto Analyst Predicts Push To 600

Leave a comment

Solana On A Roll: Crypto Analyst Predicts Push To $600

February 29, 2024 – 16:00 EST

Like almost every other crypto token in the market, Solana (SOL) is enjoying a rally of its own, rising to nearly $125 in the last 24 hours. Interestingly, this looks like only the beginning of good things to come for the crypto token, as crypto analyst Hansolar predicts that it could run massively in this bull cycle.

SOL To Rise To $600

Hansolar mentioned in an X (formerly Twitter) post that SOL will rise to $600. This “fun” target was laid on the premise that SOL could be the new ETH this cycle. Assuming this is the case, the analyst expects SOL to take off later than BTC and ETH. This is because ETH took off when BTC broke into all-time highs (ATHs) during the last bull run.

Therefore, SOL, following a similar trajectory to ETH in the last cycle, might not take off until BTC and ETH break into ATHs. Hansolar suggested that SOL’s takeoff will be sparked by retail, stating that there will be a time when these investors buy into the crypto token “as the high beta catch-up play.”

Hansolar also offered more evidence to suggest that SOL is likely to replicate ETH’s run in the last bull cycle. He stated that the crypto token was currently at around 50% from its ATH, similar to how ETH was around the 50% mark as BTC was nearing its ATH in the last cycle. Meanwhile, Hansolar offered “fun” targets for Bitcoin and Ethereum, stating they will hit $150,000 and $10,000 in this bull cycle.

Interestingly, Hansolar’s $600 price prediction for Solana looks very conservative compared to Crypto YouTuber Jake Gagain’s prediction that SOL will hit $750. The analyst stated that the crypto token will hit this price level by next year.

Between Solana And Ethereum

Crypto analyst Santiago Santos once echoed similar sentiments to Hansolar when he drew a comparison between Solana and Ethereum, noting that the former is going through what the latter did during the ICO boom. He, however, suggested that Solana would perform way better than Ethereum, as it is seeing “meaningful usage and growth,” unlike Ethereum then.

Santos further asserted that Solana would “converge on Ethereum faster than most believe.” Solana, commonly referred to as the “Ethereum Killer,” has indeed been on the heels of Ethereum as of late. Solana even once surpassed Ethereum in 7-day DEX (decentralized exchange) volume.

The tremendous rise in Solana’s network activity is believed to be one of the factors driving SOL’s price and what could push it to hit the $600 mark and possibly $750, like Gagain predicted.

At the time of writing, SOL is trading at around $124, up over 13% in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

The original article was posted on Tradingview.com/News.

Article reposted on Markethive by Jeffrey Sloe

** Loans, secure funding for business projects in the USA and around the world. Learn more about USA & International Financing at Commercial Funding International. **

Tim Moseley

HOME

Gold futures bullish sentiment result in the largest daily gain since October 2023

Leave a comment

Gold futures bullish sentiment result in the largest daily gain since October 2023

Gold futures bullish sentiment result in the largest daily gain since October 2023 teaser image

Exceptional, phenomenal, amazing, surprising, astounding, and almost beyond belief are only a few of the many words that can be used to describe today’s exceedingly strong upside breakout in gold futures. Gold opened today at $2052.82 and by the close of Globex at 5:00 PM ET gold futures are up $41. At the close, the most active April gold futures contract is trading at $2095.70, a 2% daily gain.

Now that gold futures have concluded for the week and the first trading day of March, the only regular break to gold’s 24-hour trading day (excluding holidays) market participants, investors, and traders are all beginning to have a more comprehensive understanding and explanation as to why gold moved 2% in a single day. The difficulty here is that there was no unexpected fundamental report or event that led to such a tremendous price gain in a single day.

There was no single news event, expected data report, or even a black swan event (an unpredictable or unforeseen event, typically one with extreme consequences) that could simply answer this question. What we do know is this large of a move does not occur frequently.

Today’s gains were the largest daily gain since Friday, October 13. On that day gold futures opened at $1921.70 and closed at $1983.80 and gained approximately $62 in a single day.

So what we must assume is there is a high probability that today’s spike was caused by events that occurred recently that are just beginning to get digested and interpreted in a new light or different way. The one big similarity to last week’s trading range is that Friday’s gain contained the vast majority of the weekly gain. On a weekly basis, gold gained $46.30 which is a 2.26% gain on the week, of which 2% of that gain occurred today. Last week gold gained $25.30 which is a 1.25% gain on the week, of which $18.70 or 92.1% of the gain occurred last Friday, February 23.

However, that fact delivers very little insight if any at all as to why gold had the single largest daily gain in the last five months.

The chart above is a five-minute Japanese candlestick chart of April gold futures. The first blue arrow on the left marks the beginning of the trading day with gold opening at $2052.82. Approximately 3 ½ hours later gold would trade to its low of approximately $2047 and begin the first leg of two rallies that would take gold dramatically higher. Gold would trade from $2047 up to $2066 in just over two hours before trading to another low of $2051, which was above the daily low and was a precursor to the dramatic second leg of the rally which took gold from $2051 to its high above $2096 before trading sideways are consolidating and currently at $2091.60 its settlement price for the week.

The next chart we want to look at is a five-minute candlestick chart of the dollar index which traded to a high today of 104.324, a low of 103.859, and settled down 0.24% at 103.904. The dollar traded with some volatility today, compared to what was witnessed in gold futures.

The chart above is a daily candlestick chart of gold which shows the incredibly large and dynamic price spike in one single candlestick which more than anything else clearly illustrates the importance and magnitude of today’s single move. All we can say is that most likely it was a combination of many events in which market sentiment shifted. The first and most obvious one to look at would be a renewed belief that the Federal Reserve will cut rates sooner than expected.

This could stem from the latest inflation report coming in close to the anticipated target. But luckily we have the weekend to aggressively analyze and dissect today’s rally so that on Monday we can bring you a more concise attempted understanding of today’s move.

Kitco Media

Gary Wagner

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

HOME

Fidelity Exec Details How Bitcoin Will Capture a Quarter of Gold’s Monetary Marke

Leave a comment

Fidelity Exec Details How Bitcoin Will Capture a Quarter of Gold's Monetary Market

By Olivia Brooke – March 1, 2024

According to Jurrien Timmer, the Director of Global Macro at Fidelity, a leading digital asset investment firm, Bitcoin can tap into the monetary market of gold. In a series of posts shared to X, formerly Twitter, the Fidelity's executive detailed his thoughts on Bitcoin's potential market share vs gold.

Sharing a recent chart depicting the value of monetary gold, share of gold held by central banks and private investors as a monetary asset (as opposed to jewellery or industrial uses).

Estimating that the share of monetary gold is around 40% of total above-ground gold, the Fidelity executive is convinced that Bitcoin will “eventually capture around a quarter of the monetary gold market.” He added, “At 40%, monetary gold is currently worth around $6 trillion, while Bitcoin is worth $1 trillion.”

Historically, Bitcoin's market position has been consistently compared to that of gold. Institutional players have previously branded Bitcoin as digital gold.

Interestingly, Bitcoin has outperformed gold on previous occasions. Last year, Bitcoin recorded a 50% spike in value, beating the broader stock market, including gold trading 47% below Bitcoin's value.

In 2023, Bitcoin outperformed Gold by 10x, and this bullish performance is setting the tone for 2024, with market experts being largely positive.

Jurrien Timmer: Future Bitcoin halving will not have a strong impact on the asset's price

Regarding the next Bitcoin halving, Timmer shared another chart that illustrates what he expects to be diminishing returns from future halving.

While the Bitcoin halving in 2012 resulted in a decrease in supply from 2.7 million to 1.3 million, and the Bitcoin halving in 2016 took supply from 1.3 million to 656 thousand, Timmer is certain that the upcoming halving will not have as much impact on price as previous halvings did, particularly when incremental supply goes from 160 coins to 80 to 40.

As he further explained;

“In 2012 Bitcoin's outstanding supply was 50% of its eventual supply, in 2016 it was 75%, and in 2070 it will be 99.9977%. It's easy to imagine the power of a halving in 2016. It seems unlikely to me that future halvings will be as impactful when there are fewer coins to mine.

DISCLAIMER

The views expressed in the article are wholly those of the author and do not represent those of, nor should they be attributed to, ZyCrypto. This article is not meant to give financial advice. Please carry out your own research before investing in any of the various cryptocurrencies available.

The original article written by Olivia Brooke and posted on ZyCrypto.com.

Article reposted on Markethive by Jeffrey Sloe

** Loans, secure funding for business projects in the USA and around the world. Learn more about USA & International Financing at Commercial Funding International. **

Tim Moseley

HOME

Making an ezine is a great way to share your interest information or creativity with the world

Leave a comment

Making an ezine is a great way to share your interest, information, or creativity with the world

Publishing an ezine

An ezine is an electronic magazine that is published online and distributed to your audience via email, social media, or your website. Unlike a print magazine, an ezine allows you to reach a global audience, save on printing and distribution costs, and update your content anytime.

PUBLISHING AN EZINE CAN HAVE MANY BENEFITS FOR YOUR BUSINESS, SUCH AS:

  • Building trust and credibility with your audience by providing valuable and relevant content.
  • Increasing your brand awareness and visibility by reaching a wider and more targeted audience.
  • Generating more traffic and leads to your website by including links and calls to action in your ezine.
  • Establishing yourself as an authority and expert in your field by sharing your knowledge and insights.
  • Creating a loyal and engaged community of subscribers who can become your advocates and customers.

TO PUBLISH AN EZINE, YOU WILL NEED TO FOLLOW SOME STEPS, SUCH AS:

  • Define your ezine goals: What do you want to achieve with your ezine? Do you want to inform, educate, entertain, or persuade your audience? Do you want to increase your sales, donations, or subscriptions? Your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
  • Identify your ezine audience: Who are your ideal readers? What are their demographics, psychographics, needs, pain points, and preferences? You can use tools like surveys, interviews, focus groups, or online analytics to gather data and create reader personas for your audience segments.
  • Choose your ezine format: How do you want to present your ezine? What are the best platforms or media to deliver your message? You can use online tools, such as Visme or Banners.com, to create your own web banners, or hire a freelance web banner designer from online platforms, such as Fiverr, [Upwork], or [99designs]. You can also use email marketing software, such as [Constant Contact], [AWeber], or [iContact], to create and send your ezine as an email newsletter. You should consider the cost, reach, and effectiveness of each format for your goals and audience.
  • Craft your ezine content: What do you want to say to your audience? How do you want to position your business, product, or service in their minds? You should use clear, compelling, and consistent language that highlights your unique value proposition, benefits, and call to action. You should also use creative elements, such as images, videos, or animations, to capture attention and evoke emotions. You should also follow the best practices of writing for the web, such as using short sentences and paragraphs, headings and subheadings, bullet points and lists, and keywords and links.

TEST AND OPTIMIZE YOUR EZINE:

  • Test and optimize your ezine: How do you know if your ezine is working? How can you improve your results and maximize your return on investment (ROI)? You should use tools like A/B testing, analytics, or feedback to measure and monitor your ezine performance. You should also track key metrics, such as open rate, click-through rate, conversion rate, bounce rate, or unsubscribe rate, and compare them to your goals and benchmarks. You should then analyze the data and make adjustments to your ezine as needed.

These are some of the steps you can follow to create and publish an ezine. For more tips and examples, you can check out these resources: What Are Ezines and Do I Need to Publish One?, What’s an E-zine and How You Can Use It in Digital Marketing, What are E-zines and How To Publish One?, and How to Make Sales Without Facebook Ads. I hope this helps. 😊

Tim Moseley

HOME

The Fed to intervene in a collapse scenario what it means for the stock market recession calls

Leave a comment

The Fed to intervene in a collapse scenario, what it means for the stock market & recession calls – Alex Krüger

Those calling for a recession and a market collapse are wrong because the Federal Reserve wants to intervene before that happens, according to Alex Krüger, Economist and Partner at Asgard Markets.

The 'Fed put' is back, Krüger told Michelle Makori, Lead Anchor and Editor-in-Chief at Kitco News. The term ‘Fed put,’ a play on the option term ‘put,’ is the market belief that the Fed would step in and implement policies to limit the stock market's decline beyond a certain level.

"The 'Fed put' was removed from the market in early 2022 when they made it clear that their focus is now on inflation, sending stocks crashing," Krüger said. "Things changed in December when the Fed stated that the risks are balanced to both the upside and downside, and they are focused on jobs just as much as they are on interest rates."

That means that the Fed will intervene if things start to collapse. This was already seen in 2023 during the failures of regional banks, including Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and First Republic Bank.

In response to the banking crisis, the Fed quickly introduced the Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP) in March 2023, an emergency lending program that allows banks to take on loans of up to one year to boost liquidity.

During last year's banking crisis, there was one surprising asset winner. For insights, watch the video above. The same asset can again benefit if the Fed intervenes to prop up the economy.

Because of the 'Fed put,' the most likely outcome is a soft landing, Krüger pointed out, advising to ignore the noise and focus on the bigger picture when trading.

"A very large percentage of market participants are focused on how expensive things are, how AI is a bubble, how the yield curve inversion has to lead to a major recession and a major crash. My response is that it's noise. And the bigger picture is that we should be focusing on interest rates going down, inflation going down, and liquidity going up," he said.

For insights on how much more upside there is in the stock market, watch the video above.

However, there are several scenarios that could derail this outlook. "First of all, black swans … armed conflict in the Korean peninsula or China-Taiwan, or conflict escalating between Russia and Ukraine," Krüger said.

Another scenario that could derail the soft landing outlook is an acceleration in inflation. "The outlook should change because the Fed's outlook will change if it happens," he noted.

Take on crypto: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Worldcoin

In the crypto space, Krüger pays close attention to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. To get his top crypto picks for 2024, watch the video above.

The new spot Bitcoin ETFs are attracting new types of investors, pushing prices towards new all-time highs.

BlackRock's spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund IBIT alone saw $1.357 billion in trading volume Tuesday, breaking Monday's record of $1.3 billion, according to Bloomberg Intelligence ETF analyst Eric Balchunas.

Krüger views the introduction of spot Bitcoin ETFs as a way towards mainstream adoption that will eventually include central banks holding Bitcoin alongside gold as a reserve asset.

"At the moment, Bitcoin is an extremely volatile asset that doesn't belong in the reserves of a central bank, but eventually, that volatility will disappear," he said. "We will see new market participants in the Bitcoin options market. Eventually, central banks will adopt Bitcoin as a reserve asset."

 

To get insights on how that would impact Bitcoin prices and which central banks will likely push the needle the most, watch the video above.

 

The next big driver for crypto investors is a potential approval of a spot Ethereum ETF. On timing and chances of that happening this year, watch the video above.

 

To get Krüger updated price forecasts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Worldcoin, and his other top crypto picks, watch the video above.

Kitco Media

Anna Golubova

Anna Golubova is the Producer for Kitco News. With more than ten years of experience in media, she has covered a range of topics, focusing on economy and politics. Anna began to exclusively cover economic news in 2013, attending media lockups at the Bank of Canada and Statistics Canada to report on a range of key macro economic events, including interest rate announcements, GDP, unemployment, and retail. She holds a Master of Arts in International Relations from NPSIA, Carleton and a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and History from the University of Ottawa.

Kitco Media

Michelle Makori

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

The Artist that came out of the Winter