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Episode Notes
Bitcoin mining, in and of itself, is not harmful and involves using a computer to solve difficult mathematical equations for the user to earn bitcoin. The user earns bitcoin by verifying transactions on the blockchain, which is a digital ledger, similar to a bankbook, that keeps track of all the transactions of a given cryptocurrency. Each time a hash is solved, the user who solves it earns bitcoin. Bitcoin mining uses malware. Hackers have written malware with the ability to access your computer and use its resources to mine bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. For the hacker to earn cryptocurrencies, they have to verify transactions on a blockchain. Cryptocurrencies depend on this to maintain solvency.
Each transaction generates an ID labelled with a hash. On the bitcoin blockchain, a hash is a 256-bit encryption, which is essentially a password. Each computer on the network tries to figure out the 256-bit password, and if it gets even one character wrong, the hash is not solved. Other computers work to verify the authenticity of the solutions the “winning” computer came up with. All of this work is rewarded with cryptocurrencies; in this case, bitcoin. In some cryptocurrency ecosystems, users also get voting rights in the system’s governance structure. This means they get to cast a vote regarding the decisions the development team makes about the future of the currency, its token, and how they will be used.
Reader Version
In this episode, the host, known as Prodigy and the presenter of Project Scientist, shares the beginning of his Bitcoin journey through an unboxing of a travel router device. He explains that this device, the GL.inet AC1200 travel router, is essential for his plans to maintain a stable internet connection in various environments, such as institutions or while traveling. The router’s security features allow him to bypass certain network restrictions, enabling him to connect devices that otherwise wouldn’t have direct internet access. Prodigy highlights that his interest in this device is tied to his investment in Bitcoin, specifically mentioning that he has acquired a Bitcoin miner.
Since the miner lacks a traditional ethernet port and only connects via Wi Fi, the travel router will facilitate its internet connection. This setup is crucial for his Bitcoin mining activities, which involve verifying transactions on the blockchain to earn Bitcoin. He emphasizes that this is part of his broader commitment to investing in future technologies. Throughout the episode, Prodigy reflects on the risks and uncertainties involved in both Bitcoin and his personal projects. He acknowledges that some people view Bitcoin skeptically, but he positions himself as a risk taker willing to explore new opportunities.
He draws a parallel between his podcasting efforts and his Bitcoin investment, noting that both require consistency and perseverance despite the unpredictability of success. The host also touches on the practical aspects of the travel router, describing its compact size, portability, and included accessories such as antennas, a USB C charging port, and an Ethernet cable. He notes the device’s compatibility with different power outlets, which is useful for international travel. This technical overview serves to illustrate how the router fits into his overall strategy for maintaining connectivity and supporting his Bitcoin mining setup.
Prodigy concludes by encouraging listeners to pursue their interests and take risks, emphasizing that success often comes through persistence over time. He frames his Bitcoin journey and the acquisition of this travel router as part of a larger scientific and exploratory mindset, where pushing boundaries and embracing new technologies are essential. The episode ends with an open invitation for further discussion and exploration of Bitcoin mining and related technologies.
Automatic Transcript
It's Prodigy, okay? Also known as the guy who hosts Project Scientist. Welcome to the lab. As you can see, it's a hard working place. And, you know, this is everything about science. I've got to say, though, I had an exam yesterday. It wasn't the easiest. Or maybe the first two questions were kind of easy. But the other rest was a sabotage. So, you know, shouts to my, what do you call, professors or teachers because they did a good job in trying to make everybody fail. Do you know what I'm saying? Anyways, I've got something for you guys, and it's an unboxing, okay? And this is for future content related stuff. So, you know, I put some money aside to get this personally.
And I want to share it with you guys because in the future, when I do create more things which I'm documenting, of course, you know, buying some electronics here, buying some bits and bobs there, then putting them together to make something new, I need a device, right, that's going to give me stable connection, okay? And in facilities or in places where there's security in terms of the internet and you need something to bypass that, well, there's something called a device that allows you to do so. And so in this unboxing, I'm going to show you that, okay? Wait here. Just wait here a sec. Where is it? Come on. I got it. Found it. I got it.
This box here is the epitome of what I would call my handy, trusty, modern router, okay? This is called an OPAL. Can you see that? Can you see that? Okay, so you can't see it because of my real lamp that's blocking the name of this, you know? But let me just... Okay, yeah, you still can't see it. All right, it's called the OPAL, okay, spelled O P A L, and it is a GL SFT1200, okay? So if you, you know, want the same thing or whatever, maybe you can go get it for yourself and, you know, enjoy it. All right, so it doesn't say properly what this device is for, but I'll explain what it is. So this device, right, is a travel router, and it's apparently got top notch security features.
So what it allows is, let's say, for example, which I'm in an institution or I'm on a boat in terms of traveling somewhere or whatever, and I want stable internet connection, but I need to do it through, you know, the normal way, which is the, I believe it's WPA2 way, security way, where you just type in, where you just click the username and you put in the password, right? That is what this would allow me to do. Now, obviously, you need original access to do so.
So in a place like, for example, a university, right, where they have their own internet form of connectivity, for you to be able to connect to the university's facilities internet, you have to be a part of the institution, whether you're a teacher or a student. And since I am part of the institution, I have to do it through their way of signing through. But let's say, for example, you need a stable connection where you want to connect another device to that internet. You need to have some form of security certification. And this would allow me to bypass that signing on another device that isn't registered through that way, if that makes sense.
So what this would do in theory is I would connect the Wi Fi or the internet through this, and this would allow me to connect something that's not able to connect through the internet to this, if that makes sense, okay? All right. For those, you know, who may be thinking, what are you trying to connect? I'm trying to connect something to do with Bitcoin, okay? I mean, I'm trying to invest in the future, right? So I've got myself a Bitcoin miner, and, you know, it doesn't have the normal way of connecting to the internet. It doesn't have an ethernet port to it. And even when you try to connect to it, it's only through Wi Fi, and it needs to be done through a connectivity such as this.
And even then, I plan to invest in my future, so I get these little gadgets because I know that if I, for example, if I want to travel somewhere and the internet isn't the greatest, I can connect something of my phone to this, you know, for stable connection. Yeah? I think I've explained that good enough. If you need more details, I guess I'll put some more information about it in the video or something. All right. I'm going to open this up. Now, I apologize if you still can't see it, but, hey, you know, help me to get monetized and I guess the budget will rise, you know? All you got to do is watch the video. Okay. So in here, it comes with its warranty. You know how it goes. Oh, look at that.
I think I could just about get it for you guys. Yeah, it comes with its warranty. Let's get started, blah, blah, blah. You know how to not break it, so on and so forth. No pausing that. Comes with a little card to promote it. Let's connect, whatever. Don't, don't, don't, don't do that. I'm going to do it before you do it, so don't do that. And then the device. Okay. This is the device. Okay. Very small, so it can be put inside of your pocket. And very easy to carry around. These are its antennas. Ta da! Which is very cool. It reminds me of, like, a little robot device from Star Wars. What's that game where you got a little robot behind you?
You know, I never played it because I'm always too broke to buy new games, but it reminds me of that. Okay. So this is how it looks. It's got ports as well. And then you got a USB port here. USB C, I believe, and you charge through here to turn on. And then underneath here, the writing, I'm not going to show it to you, but the writing here is a model number and a Wi Fi and stuff like that, and how to basically log in. It's got an SSID and stuff like that.
So, you know, sometimes some things need SSID to connect, and this will provide it because I will provide the internet, and this will connect to the internet, and then this will provide the internet to the other device for SSID and so forth, so on and whatever, blah, blah, blah. Okay. Put that aside. Inside of it, now I was hoping this came, but, you know, I was sure it would come because I'm in the UK and UK policy is when you order stuff, it should come with its outlet charger for the UK because, you know, you're ordering to the UK. So, yeah, so this is the American one, I believe, the 2.1. So if I have to be in Europe, maybe, or America, maybe this will work for me.
I've seen hotels where this works, so I'll keep this on the side. And then this is the UK one, you know. Yeah, the three plug thing, which is awesome. Comes with a charger. If you can see that. Oh, it seems like you can see things if I put my hand behind it. So, you can see the charger. Obviously, different things to rotate between. Do you know what I'm saying? To rotate between. And the USB port, which fits inside of the device at the back, you know. Yeah. Comes with also a free Ethernet cable.
So if I ever need stable connection for some reason, it may be, for example, from a uni or hotel or whatever, and there's no connection or the connection is there, but shit, I can connect this to my thing to give me some stable connection and use it, okay? Mainly, it's more of an investment. I'm into Bitcoin and so on and so forth, and just future technology. And as a scientist, I feel like you have to take risks in order to push to see what the future is capable of, okay? Some people may say Bitcoin is trash or it's a hoax or it's a scam, and maybe, fair enough, or they just don't have information enough about it. But I'm a risk taker, you know?
I like to put my money here, put money there, put money over here, use my time for certain things. You know, even making this podcast is a risk, Like, you don't know who's listening to this. You don't know if this is going to be popular, but I know certain things for me is possible, which is my consistency and the time that I will put into this. So, you know, if you don't push yourself, you never know where you can go. It doesn't matter how many times you fail in something, just keep going. You never know when the success will come, but it will come eventually. It's literally statistical probability. Everything is bound to happen. It just takes time.
But the question is, do you have enough time and consistency to follow up through? I mean, I do. I've got one life. You might as well just chase and do whatever you want to do, but it's each their own. So yeah, that was the unboxing. I don't know what I'll tie to this video because this basically was an unboxing of my GL.inet AC1200, I believe, because that's what it said on the box. Yeah, it's my GL.inet AC1200 wireless travel router, but also the conversation was all about Bitcoin and so on and so forth. And I know people are going to be probably thinking about Bitcoin mining
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