Book description
A comprehensive and authoritative exploration of Bitcoin and its place in monetary history When a pseudonymous programmer introduced "a new electronic cash system that's fully peer-to-peer, with no trusted third party" to a small online mailing list in 2008, very few people paid attention. Ten years later, and against all odds, this upstart autonomous decentralized software offers an unstoppable and globally accessible hard money alternative to modern central banks. The Bitcoin Standard analyzes the historical context to the rise of Bitcoin, the economic properties that have allowed it to grow quickly, and its likely economic, political, and social implications. While Bitcoin is an invention of the digital age, the problem it purports to solve is as old as human society itself: transferring value across time and space. Author Saifedean Ammous takes the reader on an engaging journey through the history of technologies performing the functions of money, from primitive systems of trading limestones and seashells, to metals, coins, the gold standard, and modern government debt. Exploring what gave these technologies their monetary role, and how most lost it, provides the reader with a good idea of what makes for sound money, and sets the stage for an economic discussion of its consequences for individual and societal future-orientation, capital accumulation, trade, peace, culture, and art. Compellingly, Ammous shows that it is no coincidence that the loftiest achievements of humanity have come in societies enjoying the benefits of sound monetary regimes, nor is it coincidental that monetary collapse has usually accompanied civilizational collapse. With this background in place, the book moves on to explain the operation of Bitcoin in a functional and intuitive way. Bitcoin is a decentralized, distributed piece of software that converts electricity and processing power into indisputably accurate records, thus allowing its users to utilize the Internet to perform the traditional functions of money without having to rely on, or trust, any authorities or infrastructure in the physical world. Bitcoin is thus best understood as the first successfully implemented form of digital cash and digital hard money. With an automated and perfectly predictable monetary policy, and the ability to perform final settlement of large sums across the world in a matter of minutes, Bitcoin's real competitive edge might just be as a store of value and network for the final settlement of large paymentsโa digital form of gold with a built-in settlement infrastructure. Ammous' firm grasp of the technological possibilities as well as the historical realities of monetary evolution provides for a fascinating exploration of the ramifications of voluntary free market money. As it challenges the most sacred of government monopolies, Bitcoin shifts the pendulum of sovereignty away from governments in favor of individuals, offering us the tantalizing possibility of a world where money is fully extricated from politics and unrestrained by borders. The final chapter of the book explores some of the most common questions surrounding Bitcoin: Is Bitcoin mining a waste of energy? Is Bitcoin for criminals? Who controls Bitcoin, and can they change it if they please? How can Bitcoin be killed? And what to make of all the thousands of Bitcoin knockoffs, and the many supposed applications of Bitcoin's 'block chain technology'? The Bitcoin Standard is the essential resource for a clear understanding of the rise of the Internet's decentralized, apolitical, free-market alternative to national central banks.
Vicious Street
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LocKz
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Sun Washer
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Skool
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M8deUp
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Charms
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The Howling Swede
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available โ so much to learn! The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook.
Jetta Talent
Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze โ this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. ๐ฑ๐ ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer. Iโm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Sun Lemon
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CodeExia
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Senior Smurf
ListenBook has enriched my life with a diverse range of content, all at my fingertips. ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. Itโs so convenient. Iโve been using ListenBook for months, and itโs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnโt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
The Belgian
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy.
Scuffs
I've found my new favorite way to relax โ cuddled up with an audiobook. ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. I can't imagine my life without this app โ it's my constant source of books. Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful.
Twinkle Cutlass
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Romance Guppy
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Mr. Spy
ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. The sound quality is excellent. It feels like Iโm in the story. Iโve been using ListenBook for months, and itโs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnโt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Predator
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient โ it's like having a personal narrator. This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. ListenBookโs interface is clean and intuitive. Itโs a joy to use.
Morbid Angel
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FrankenGrin
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. Simplifying my reading routine โ this app's ease of use is remarkable. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Trash Pocky
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver โ no more losing my place in the story! ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true โ no more hassles! This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience