May 2018 - cypherpunks - lists.cpunks.org

[MONEY] Re: Interesting take...
by Zenaan Harkness 27 May '18

27 May '18

On Sun, May 27, 2018 at 04:17:59AM +1000, Sheldon wrote: > https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelfoster/2017/11/08/federal-debt-is-reach… Here's the text of the start of the spin doctor "Federal Reserve shilling" article above: Federal Debt Is Reaching $20 Trillion & That's Not A Bad Thing Michael Foster Imagine you’re sitting in a bar and a guy sits down next to you and says, “I just took out a $6-million loan.” How would you feel? Would you pity him for having so much debt? Would you wonder how he’d ever pay it back? Would you calculate how much those monthly payments would be? If your instinct is to feel bad for someone with a multi-million-dollar loan, you should change your mind. Because our fictional bar patron could be Mark Zuckerberg, one of the richest people on earth. That’s right—Zuck took out a $6-million loan in 2012 because he could get said loan at a mere 1% interest rate. That means the Facebook CEO actually made a profit on his mortgage when we adjust for inflation. This is a crucial lesson. Just because someone has a loan doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. And, in fact, sometimes taking out a loan is the smartest financial decision you can make. So why do we always see the federal debt as a bad thing? Ask 10 people and more than half will say “yes, absolutely.” In fact, the federal debt ranked as the third-worst economic problem in a recent Gallup poll, and it tends to be one of the biggest national woes on Americans’ minds. Well, I’m here to tell you that most Americans are wrong—and their debt worries are just one way their fears are causing them to miss out on big stock-market gains. This is also called "QE to infinity" (the Federal Reserve or one of its organs has a duty to be the "buyer or last resort" for the USA government's debt notes, and which they must print money for if and as needed, and they also QE print money to buy stocks and shit to "boost the economy" - just another ponzi wealth transfer to the bankers scheme). What it also means is that the 1% of the 1% - i.e. the bankers basically, the ultra rich get low interest loans and use that to arbitrage against other assets - mortgages, shares etc - and the banks take all the interest payments. The loan means a promise to pay the bank the interest, plus capital, the capital is created by the bank, not loaned by the bank from deposits, which is fraud but few people know this - but the reason it is "half fraud" or "super deceptive fraud" and not normal fraud, is that when you pay back the capital, the original created loan capital amounts are completely written off the books, as though they never existed, but, BUT, you still payed the bank all that interest, so the bank makes a massive profit, on money it never had but simply created for the purposes of the loan, because you (or someone) promised to pay it back with interest, so actually YOU created that loan, not the bank. Now the real problem with all this arbitrage that the 1% do is not the arbitrage profit itself, and real problem with the 1% of the 1% (the banksters) is not the profit "per se" on the loans they issue, the real problem is the fact that BECAUSE the money is created at the moment you sign the loan form (that's fraud to just create money on the books (because someone promised to pay it back)), AND because you have to pay all the interest back AND the capital, that means the system is a pure ponzi scheme (see wikipedia), which ALSO means that the value of the fiat money we use deteriorates, year in, year out, and only those holding capital (generally, property) can hedge against inflation (or sometimes, beat, or lose against, inflation). And so inflation (if properly and fully calculated) is the precise figure measuring the transfer of overall wealth from the people, to the banks. And that is the theft that the banks are engaging in. And that's why the value of our fiat has deteriorated about 99% since the Bretton Woods fiat creation agreement for Australia (and for Americans, the Federal Reserve Act of December 23, 1913). I.e., they utterly f#@ked us over. Before Bretton Woods, Australia had gold and silver coin for its currency. Now I'm certainly not against the creation (or even sub optimal hoarding) of wealth. But the WAY that wealth is hoarded by the banks, by fraudulently creating ponzi fiats, and endlessly transferring the wealth of the nation to themselves (as measured by inflation) is fundamentally criminal fraud on a grand scale. Now, is this fair? No. Is it a reasonable thing given the greed, envy, anger and other human frailties which dominate much of human activity? Perhaps. Perhaps having a vastly less wealthy population overall, is actually good for the Souls of that population - no pain, no gain or so to speak. ... Here's another lie from the article: This means the country could pay off almost all of its debts with just 12 months of economic production. The fact is, GDP is cooked books - all sorts of financial derivatives (much arising due to the debt itself) is included in "GDP". But is any of this a problem? No, not if you're a banker who can print those fiats, or one of the super wealthy who can easily arbitrage against inflation, albeit to a lesser degree than printing fiats but none the less still partially getting in on the "wealth transfer from the people/nation as a whole, to those in a position to leech". But is it REALLY a problem, like in the long term or something? Depends on what you mean by "problem": A) If by "problem" you mean at some point the US fiat dollar is going to collapse as Saudi and others run for the multi polar world and the USA experiences something akin to another depression and massive drop in its international financial standing, yes kiddo, yes there's going to be some SHTF problem ahead. Glass half empty. 1) If by "problem" you mean Souls getting a damn good lesson about avarice and avoidance of confront, no this is the opposite of a problem - in fact a lot of Souls are going to get a very good lesson, wake up call and what have you, which is a healthy, positive and constructive thing. Glass half full.

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Declaration of Currency Independence
by grarpamp 26 May '18

26 May '18

Declaration of Currency Independence https://currencyindependence.com/ https://currencyindependence.com/downloads/decind-en.pdf https://twitter.com/i/videos/1000163795501768705 https://twitter.com/search?q=currencyindependence https://etherscan.io/address/0x1DE0743C6DF9DA4D52d69dA89b3e74C813925BDe Sign on the blockchain. ========== DECLARATION OF CURRENCY INDEPENDENCE LIBERATE YOUR MONEY - FREE YOUR MIND History may not repeat, but it certainly rhymes. When in the Course of human events it becomes apparent that the bands of control and power stem from a universally common source, the necessity of separation from these powers become a matter of survival. For as long as the printing press has existed, the whole of civilization has quietly fallen under the influence of sovereign entities with the ability to control the value of expended work through the manipulation and control of currency. The 'sweat off the brow' ceased to be represented by any discernible value, but rather through an unseen, uncontrollable force of entities outside control of the masses exchanging their representative currencies. The expenditure of energy by man, machine, and Nature is the sole source of Value. These sources and their result have been devalued through the intentional inflation of printed currencies. Money and currency as understood by the global population are no longer an expression of the collective output of exertion, but rather an arbitrary calculation of unaccountable individuals and organizations that hold them in their influence. Humanity has fallen under the domination of control through Fiat, but this domination has only increased the pressure of humanity seeking a viable escape. When entities acquire the power to artificially create Value with the stroke of a pen, bribery and collusion become a trivial matter for those with that power. Those with access to this power naturally develop a bubble of judicial protection, accelerating disparity of wealth. As a result, the Value of Work has been wholly degraded by arbitrary calculations of political expediency. The integrity of Value within all societies has been literally and figuratively forced to the brink of irreconcilability. This viable escape has come in the form of provable and irrefutable math through the expenditure of energy -- Bitcoin and its derivative cryptoassets. Prior to the proliferation of cryptoassets, the option of the State abdicating control over the supply of currency was never a viable possibility due to threat of forgery, and the costs to secure the integrity of the currencies. The State, and only the State, could secure the integrity of a printed currency through the threat and employment of Force. The maintenance of this integrity is a noble cause and necessary to the stability of a state, because it ensured the exchange of value could be trusted. However, the maintenance of that integrity can, has, and is fundamentally manipulated. Whilst the State still maintains a justifiable monopoly on the lawful application of violent force, its monopoly on the control of currency has been demonstrably displaced by the implementation of Bitcoin and its cryptoasset derivatives. Where value was once proven by the strength of the State "at the end of a barrel", humans have developed, demonstrated, and proliferated a technology capable of proving value through the expenditure of electricity via the irrevocable proof of math. Such a concept has never been accomplished prior to the initiation of the Bitcoin blockchain. As use of cryptocurrencies has spread and adoption rates have grown throughout the world over the past decade, the paradigm of 'value' has shifted in the minds of those who truly grasp the capabilities of this new technology of 'value transfer'. Whereas the Internet changed how humans viewed the transfer of information, cryptoassets are doing the same with the transfer of value. We are not declaring Independence from State Controlled Currency -- We are declaring Controlled Currencies through fiat have been rendered Obsolete. Our reasons for declaring obsolescence are plentiful. Many deaths and crimes of the previous Century can be traced to unaccountable entities with control of currencies who have gained control of the many levers of power in order to direct the course of Humanity. Those who create our currencies have conspired to assume Total Control of the global money supplies, while obfuscating through suppression of media and education the fact that they are capable of conspiracy. They embody the systemic risk with the hypocrisy of providing loans to public banks that must provide transparent audits, while avoiding any such audits themselves. Their behavior has consistently tipped the scales of potentially Open Markets in favor of providing newly printed currencies to those they trust, as opposed to those the Free Markets trust. They have ingratiated themselves through the selective support of lawmakers and regulators whom enact policies that ensure their actions are exposed to minimal risk and maximal gains by diverting consequences on the populations which use their currencies. They have degraded the public trust in elected representatives and the equal application of justice by collectively avoiding any accountability for creating systemic risks. They have become Cause and Solution to financial crises, to which there is no means of recourse for the rest of Humanity, which bears this burden as a result of Their behaviors. This Declaration of Currency Independence is a direct response to the continued manipulation and destruction that stems from the deliberate degradation of Value across the whole of humanity. We, the undersigned, will dedicate our lives building networks and systems that restore the Integrity of Value and directly challenge the authority of those who seek to destroy Value. ========== Analysis of the Declaration The purpose of this document is to accompany the release of the Declaration of Currency Independence in order to ensure the intentions and suggested actions are clear, whilst encompassing as wide of an audience as possible. This accompanying narrative will endeavour to refrain from conveying any form of bias or opinion, as its purpose is merely to clarify and inform. History may not repeat, but it certainly rhymes. When in the Course of human events it becomes apparent that the bands of control and power stem from a universally common source, the necessity of separation from these powers become a matter of survival. The declaration is highlighting that throughout historical events, control has been assumed by a small number of entities to oppress the masses. The argument is furthered by indicating that ‘separation’ from this oppression is the key to survival. The declaration appears to use the term ‘survival’ to cover two bases: survival of the oppressed topic (or idea) and survival of the collective masses. For as long as the printing press has existed, the whole of civilization has quietly fallen under the influence of sovereign entities with the ability to control the value of expended work through the manipulation and control of currency. The 'sweat off the brow' ceased to be represented by any discernible value, but rather through an unseen, uncontrollable force of entities outside control of the masses exchanging their representative currencies. Here, the declaration is drawing a connection between the concepts of how the value of ‘work’ is connected to ‘currency’. Essentially, the declaration is indicating that a person works to be paid the respective currency of their habitat or homeland; be it sterling, dollar, yen or otherwise. The declaration indicates that the mass media, or more specifically the printing press, is used as a tool by ‘sovereign entities’ (meaning organisations, groups or individuals with unbelievable amounts of power) who control how work is valued against the respective currency. As a result of the aforementioned, the masses who use/employ the use of their relevant, centrally controlled currencies, are essentially at the mercy of the value placed on work by the ‘sovereign entities’, since they have no option but to submit to the payment which has been deemed appropriate for their ‘work’. The expenditure of energy by man, machine, and Nature is the sole source of Value. These sources and their result have been devalued through the intentional inflation of printed currencies. Money and currency as understood by the global population are no longer an expression of the collective output of exertion, but rather an arbitrary calculation of unaccountable individuals and organizations that hold them in their influence. Humanity has fallen under the domination of control through Fiat, but this domination has only increased the pressure of humanity seeking a viable escape. The declaration is demonstrating that true value is the use of energy, irrespective of where that energy is sourced, and that the value of printed currency (dollar/yen/sterling and so on) is purposefully manipulated to be higher than the value of what that printed currency is worth, in order to control the ‘true’ value of energy spent. Furthermore, the declaration re-enforces that true value (energy spent) has been distorted by those who control printed currencies. The declaration argued that as a result of this, humanity (the masses) is either knowingly or unknowingly searching for an alternative measure of value transfer. When entities acquire the power to artificially create Value with the stroke of a pen, bribery and collusion become a trivial matter for those with that power. Those with access to this power naturally develop a bubble of judicial protection, accelerating disparity of wealth. As a result, the Value of Work has been wholly degraded by arbitrary calculations of political expediency. The integrity of Value within all societies has been literally and figuratively forced to the brink of irreconcilability. Here the declaration indicates that the aforementioned ‘sovereign entities’ are protected due to their position(s) of power and influence over those who represent the masses’ way of life. As such, deceptive and illegitimate actions become the norm for those who have total control. In other words, those who control money control the political narrative (or story) delivered to the masses (or average Joe Bloggs). Once again, the declaration indicates due to this complete control, what defines the idea of ‘value’, is at risk of ever being adjusted to meet the needs of the masses: the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. This viable escape has come in the form of provable and irrefutable math through the expenditure of energy -- Bitcoin and its derivative cryptoassets. At this stage the declaration highlights that we have now found a viable escape from this control of wealth, power and value: Bitcoin and other crytoassets. Prior to the proliferation of cryptoassets, the option of the State abdicating control over the supply of currency was never a viable possibility due to threat of forgery, and the costs to secure the integrity of the currencies. The State, and only the State, could secure the integrity of a printed currency through the threat and employment of Force. The maintenance of this integrity is a noble cause and necessary to the stability of a state, because it ensured the exchange of value could be trusted. However, the maintenance of that integrity can, has, and is fundamentally manipulated. The idea of Bitcoin and cryptoassets offering an alternative to the currently oppressed and manipulated system(s) in place, is reinforced by the argument that control over currency by the state (or respective elected governments as it were) was never previously possible due to issues with supplying printed currency and the risk of forgery. The argument alludes to the idea that there is not enough printed currency to supply the world the total value of the world’s supply of wealth, therefore forgery would be too easily implemented by the ‘sovereign entities’. The declaration indicates that the state (and respective governments) ensure(s) that forgery of currency does not take place holistically (totally) due to the threat of ‘Force’ (or punishment of those who break laws surrounding forgery of printed currency). The declaration indicates maintaining the integrity of currency (stopping forgery) is a noble cause; however it is those who oversee the control of this integrity who can themselves be manipulated. Whilst the State still maintains a justifiable monopoly on the lawful application of violent force, its monopoly on the control of currency has been demonstrably displaced by the implementation of Bitcoin and its cryptoasset derivatives. The declaration acknowledges that whilst the aforementioned efforts to maintain the integrity of printed currencies is noble, Bitcoin and other cryptoassets ensure there is no need for the threat (or action) of violent force to ensure this integrity. Where value was once proven by the strength of the State "at the end of a barrel", humans have developed, demonstrated, and proliferated a technology capable of proving value through the expenditure of electricity via the irrevocable proof of math. Such a concept has never been accomplished prior to the initiation of the Bitcoin blockchain. The declaration indicates that blockchain technology is based on unarguable (or 100% accurate) mathematics which cannot be manipulated. Furthermore, we have never seen such an alternative to the existing system(s) in place with controlled printed currency such as the likes of the blockchain. As use of cryptocurrencies has spread and adoption rates have grown throughout the world over the past decade, the paradigm of 'value' has shifted in the minds of those who truly grasp the capabilities of this new technology of 'value transfer'. Whereas the Internet changed how humans viewed the transfer of information, cryptoassets are doing the same with the transfer of value. The declaration hereby acknowledges that those who have connected the dots between fundamentally manipulated methods of value transfer have understood the significance of the dawn of the blockchain. This idea is likened to the internet which changed everything concerning how humans communicated the transfer of information. The blockchain is being declared as a parallel solution to how humans will transfer the value of currency. We are not declaring Independence from State Controlled Currency -- We are declaring Controlled Currencies through fiat have been rendered Obsolete. The declaration is indicating that the document is not primarily one which is trying to displace the current system(s) of printed currency under state (or government control); moreover it is highlighting that Bitcoin and other cryptoassets have ensured printed currency is no longer fit for purpose or necessary. Our reasons for declaring obsolescence are plentiful. Many deaths and crimes of the previous Century can be traced to unaccountable entities with control of currencies who have gained control of the many levers of power in order to direct the course of Humanity. The argument is supported with reasons such as deaths caused by foul play and other crimes which can be traced back to ‘entities’ (or organisations) with no face or name. These acts are argued to be responsible for controlling how humanity develops, progressed or regresses (dependant on your personal perspective) throughout time. Those who create our currencies have conspired to assume Total Control of the global money supplies, while obfuscating through suppression of media and education the fact that they are capable of conspiracy. The declaration highlights that social systems (education, the media and money) are fundamentally manipulated to ensure that any ideas of ongoing conspiracy (which may have otherwise surfaced), as outlined within the declaration, are suppressed. They embody the systemic risk with the hypocrisy of providing loans to public banks that must provide transparent audits, while avoiding any such audits themselves. The entities as previously described are outlined to be financing the banks through ‘loaning’ money. It is highlighted that the bank are audited (scrutinised to ensure integrity and honesty), whilst they avoid any auditing themselves. This is highlighted as hypocrisy. Their behavior has consistently tipped the scales of potentially Open Markets in favor of providing newly printed currencies to those they trust, as opposed to those the Free Markets trust. The declaration indicates those who provide the financing, choose to support organisations of which they will have control over, as opposed to financing honest, open and or transparent ‘Free Markets’ (a system based on supply and demand with no government control). They have ingratiated themselves through the selective support of lawmakers and regulators whom enact policies that ensure their actions are exposed to minimal risk and maximal gains by diverting consequences on the populations which use their currencies. The entities’ placement of their financing ensures they are well connected with ‘lawmakers’ (politicians or a constitution) to protect their wealth and control; whilst placing the financial risk(s) upon the masses who use the currencies of the organisations which they are financing. They have degraded the public trust in elected representatives and the equal application of justice by collectively avoiding any accountability for creating systemic risks. It is then highlighted, that as a result of the aforementioned, this has led to distrust amongst the masses towards ‘elected representatives’ (governments and politicians) whilst the entities themselves ensure their own protection from such animosity and negative publicity. They have become Cause and Solution to financial crises, to which there is no means of recourse for the rest of Humanity, which bears this burden as a result of Their behaviors. The declaration indicates the entities are positioning themselves as both the cause (reason) and solution to financial crises, yet it is the masses that are responsible for ensuring these manipulated systems do not collapse as they use the printed currencies which they inadvertently supply. This Declaration of Currency Independence is a direct response to the continued manipulation and destruction that stems from the deliberate degradation of Value across the whole of humanity. The declaration summarises that this document itself is a response to the continued manipulation and destruction of value across humanity. We, the undersigned, will dedicate our lives building networks and systems that restore the Integrity of Value and directly challenge the authority of those who seek to destroy Value. ========== A Message From The Authors This Declaration is an intellectual and ideological call to arms. It was written with the recognition that the newer possibilities that made the Bitcoin blockchain so powerfully intriguing were being strategically obscured by the older systems. These old systems are maintained to keep the vast masses of humanity intellectually enslaved to measuring value according to rules they can not see, understand, or even acknowledge. The purpose of this document is first and foremost for those who CAN see these methods of enslavement... those who DO understand the true power of total currency control... those who CLEARLY acknowledge that continuing this system is, by definition, an injustice. There is a far more dangerous Enemy that has been subtly and overtly injecting their influence into this Battle over the future of how humanity views the value of their time and energy. The argument over “What is the best cryptocurrency?” has slowly but surely obscured the more important question: "What is the best currency?" The great hope for this Declaration is that all who read it recognize and remember that the true ideological Enemy of Currency Independence require domination over ALL currencies, fiat and crypto alike. Ignoring that reality will only slow adoption. With this Declaration of Currency Independence, those who have awakened to the stark contrasts that exist between the Future Promise of this technology and the Current Control mechanisms in place will have a common language in which they can rally around. Use this Declaration as a rallying cry for those of us who see this battle unfolding. Use it as a tool for letting the world know how the game is played and how control over the measure of Value touches every part of life. The time has come for Money to be separated from State, and for the first time, the tools are available. A TEAM MCAFEE PROJECT | PUBLISHED 2018 FOR ALL TO SHARE ==========

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Cypherpunks: Interviewed - Tim May and Bill Scannell
by grarpamp 25 May '18

25 May '18

May 2018 @BlockDigest Under the Microscope https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb53lXz2IzEFT5JNHSbdvPg/videos Bill Scannell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN-zaJO2GWE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLvAz0dg9w8 Timothy C. May https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgmTnRivwXw

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Immutable Recording
by Karl 24 May '18

24 May '18

Hi cpunks, I'm trying to figure out how to produce lengthy recordings that cannot be reasonably removed or altered even by a very powerful entity. I'd like to find a way to make it easy for myself and others to live a life where if the forces of authority attack you, their only option for covering it up is creating a noticeable, diagnosable, recording hole in advance. I've started work on https://github.com/xloem/openrealrecord . I was wondering if anybody would have the time to review my plan and comment on it. I'm using hyperdb to create a network of binary streams that all checkpoint each other. It allows data to be piped in from the command line. I have a few issues and todo items laid out to solve remaining issues I've thought of: for example, posting checkpoint hashes and p2p seed ips to the bitcoin blockchain, or integrating with siacoin/storj/filecoin for reliable storage. I'm losing my mind for a number of reasons, and likely won't be able to finish this on my own, so I've started offering largish bounties; just on the blockchain hashing at first. It would be incredible if somebody with a mind for security could help me finish the essentials of this project; I'd be happy to add more bounties if needed. But even a quick comment would be so kind. I'd of course love to know if this is duplicate public effort. Karl

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Cryptocurrency: Bitcoin Privacy Interview Series @BlockDigest
by grarpamp 23 May '18

23 May '18

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb53lXz2IzEFT5JNHSbdvPg/videos Intro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OveKiFw89o Value of Privacy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbjEgqoa5UA Joinmarket 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THMajQ87dQE Joinmarket 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaEACp38nJY Others coming soon.

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Speculative execution vulnerability.
by jim bell 23 May '18

23 May '18

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/05/new-speculative-execution-vulnerabi…

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Japan's Denpa-Bu J6 CIRO DFS Orgs: Mass Internet and EM Surveillance Ops, FVEY Partners
by grarpamp 23 May '18

23 May '18

https://theintercept.com/2018/05/19/japan-dfs-surveillance-agency/ https://theintercept.com/document/2018/05/19/dfs-briefing-feb-2013/ https://theintercept.com/document/2018/05/19/cyber-paper-japan-dfs/ https://theintercept.com/document/2018/05/19/dfs-and-nsa-mutual-cooperation/ "National Security" = Preservation of the State, Social Spying and Control via Early Message Steering, and Fucking Everyone Else Over. Nothing else could demand such Secret Global Cabals ;) Tentacle Porn: The Octopus of Global Control https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4_m71QvkJ8

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Power9: Talos II Now In Full Production
by grarpamp 23 May '18

23 May '18

https://secure.raptorcs.com/TALOSII/ https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Raptor-Talos-2-Lite https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Raptor-TALOS2-Initial-T… New lower entry level price $1775, BTC accepted. https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Spectre-V3-V4-Vulnerabi… https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=AMD-Zen-Linux-Firmware-…

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Choose Your Own Info
by grarpamp 23 May '18

23 May '18

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Netflix DVD Rental: Cheap Anonymous Lossless Bittorrent / Overlay Network Seeding Material
by grarpamp 22 May '18

22 May '18

http://fortune.com/2018/05/21/netflix-dvd-business/ https://torrentfreak.com/ https://old.reddit.com/r/DataHoarder/ Satisfy your inner librarian today :)

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