Macbeth loses his head and soul in the unknowing clouds of his own sin-deceived ego. So does Nietzsche. Far from seeing life as a quest for truth, they are left with nothing but their own bitter inquest on life, signifying nothing. This is the deepest consequence of their rejection of faith and reason.

Ive recently enjoyed six months of discussions on Henri de Lubacs masterpiece, The Drama of Atheist Humanism, with Father Fessio and Vivian Dudro as part of our ongoing series of book discussions for the FORMED Book Club. One of the things that puzzled us was the choice of title. Why would de Lubac frame his study of the ideas of the major atheist philosophers of the nineteenth century as a drama? The answer to this puzzling question didnt fully emerge until the final part of the book in which de Lubac dissects the decline and fall of Friedrich Nietzsche. It was only at this point that the history of humanism in the nineteenth century is revealed as darkly comic and deeply tragic, culminating in a providentially ironic denouement of such dramatic power that it could be seen as a delightfully grotesque tragicomedy.

The drama that de Lubac narrates was such that it seemed to be worthy of the stage but then, as Shakespeare reminds us, the world is a stage and all the men and women of history merely players on times stage. It is, therefore, appropriate to see the striking parallels between the real-life factual character of Friedrich Nietzsche and the larger-then-life fictional character of Macbeth who prefigures Nietzsche in his manic pursuit of self-empowerment in defiance of reason.

Like his tragic Shakespearean forerunner, Nietzsche begins by abandoning reason in pursuit of power. From the very outset, his denial of the existence of God had nothing to do with any rational process of thought: Atheism, is not, for me, the consequence of something else in my case it is something that goes without saying, a matter of instinct. In similar vein, his rejection of Christianity had nothing to do with any rational process of thought and everything to do with pride and its prejudices: [I]t is our preference that decides against Christianity not arguments.

If Nietzsches atheism and anti-Christianity is irrational, there is nonetheless a reason for it, a rationale for his irrationality. The man who refuses to subject himself to reason is freed from the rational constraints that reason imposes. He is the freed man, liberated by the will to power (der Wille zur Macht), who can do what he likes and to whom nothing is now forbidden. The rule of reason, this last bondage, must be cast off. [W]e have abolished the world of truth, Nietzsche proclaimed; nothing is true.

The consequences of such abandonment of reason to the appetite for self-empowerment was obvious enough, even to Nietzsche. The philosopher, he wrote, is a terrible explosive from which nothing is safe.

This being so, de Lubac comments, it was not surprising that the drama that had taken shape in human minds quickly reached the point at which it burst forth in fire and slaughter.

Ironically, Nietzsche would have agreed with de Lubac. I herald the coming of a tragic era, he said, assuming the role of a self-proclaimed prophet of doom. We must be prepared for a long succession of demolitions, devastations and upheavals. [T]here will be wars such as the world has never yet seen. Europe will soon be enveloped in darkness. These words, written at the end of the nineteenth century, would prove to be truly prophetic of the new century about to be born. Europe would soon be enveloped in darkness. It would suffer two wars such as the world had never yet seen, with weapons of mass destruction, produced by those serving the will to power, beyond the imagination of more primitive peoples.

As for who would be to blame for such destruction, Nietzsche claimed that he would himself be responsible for it. Thanks to me, he wrote, a catastrophe is at hand.

His words were true enough, even though others would share the blame, including Comte and Marx, both of whom played leading roles in the drama of atheist humanism which de Lubac recounts.

As for Nietzsche, his ideas would prove not merely destructive but self-destructive. There is more than a suggestion, for instance, that he had ceased to believe his own philosophy and that the living of the lie might have contributed to his final descent into madness. I must persist in my dream under pain of perishing, he wrote. De Lubac is masterful in teasing out the psychological consequences of Nietzsches refusal to confess the lie that he was living: He who smelled out so subtly and flogged so harshly the unconscious hypocrisies of others, he it is who has become in the final analysis, not a masked man, but the man of the mask, almost, as it were, a theoretician of the self-indulgent, obstinate illusion, an adorer of a fiction that he knows quite well in the depths of his heart to be a fiction.

De Lubacs reading of Nietzsches self-deception is borne out by the words that Nietzsche puts in the mouth of his alter ego, Zarathustra: In truth, I advise you, get far away from me, defend yourself against Zarathustra! Better still, be ashamed of him. Perhaps he has deceived you. Or, as de Lubac suggests, perhaps he had deceived himself.

As early as 1883, long before the onset of madness, Nietzsche confessed to being on the brink of suicidal despair: I will not hide it from you, he wrote to a friend. Things are going very badly. Night overwhelms me more and more. I believe that I am walking ineluctably to my ruin. The barrel of a gun is now a source of relatively pleasant reflections for me. A month later, he wrote that he was no longer interested in anything: At the very depths of my being, a black and immutable melancholy. The worst is that I no longer understand at all to what purpose I should continue to live, be this only for six months ahead. Everything seems wearisome, painful, disgusting to me. Considering that Nietzsches whole philosophy is rooted in radical egocentrism, with the self as the centre of its self-empowered cosmos, it is the very self who is everything. Since this is so, the wearisome painful everything that is disgusting to Nietzsche must ultimately be a radical self-disgust.

We will conclude our survey of Nietzsches decline and fall in the company of his alter ego, not Zarathustra but Macbeth.

Having accepted the lie of the wyrd sisters that fair is foul, and foul is fair, Macbeth seeks to go boldly beyond good and evil blazing a self-delusional trail that Nietzsche would discover and follow almost three centuries later. Having chosen power over reason, Macbeth will live increasingly in the narrow and narrowing confines of his own head, making himself the centre of his own contracted and constricted cosmos. As he speaks to himself in secret, divorcing himself from others, his subjective perception supersedes objective reality. His decay is, therefore, as much a decay of philosophy as it is a decay of morality. The more he thinks of himself, the less he thinks of others, and the less he thinks of others, the less he thinks of the Other, i.e. the truth that transcends the self. The result is that his first thought of murder coincides with the murder of thought:

My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical,

Shakes so my single state of man

That function is smothered in surmise,

And nothing is but what is not. (1.3.138-141)

As Macbeths pride takes pride of place on the throne of his soul, he begins to lose his sense of reality. Sin smothers reason so that the normal function of a mans mind, which is to seek and find the truth, is smothered in surmise until nothing is but what is not. Thus, Macbeths nihilism, which will come to bitter and futile fruition in the final act with his dismissal of life as a tale/Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,/Signifying nothing, is seen to have its roots in the plays opening act with his turning away from fides et ratio towards infidelity and irrationality.

When we see Nietzsche in the light or the shadow of Macbeth, we see him as a disciple of his great fictional forerunner. Long before there was the madness of Nietzsche, there was the madness of Macbeth.

Macbeth loses his head and soul in the unknowing clouds of his own sin-deceived ego. So does Nietzsche. Far from seeing life as a quest for truth, they are left with nothing but their own bitter inquest on life, signifying nothing. This is the deepest consequence of their rejection of faith and reason. In losing sight of the significance of others, or the Other, they lose sight of the significance of everything else. In choosing themselves above others, they are not even left with themselves. They lose everything, perhaps even their own souls. They are left with the nothing which is nothing else but the real absence of the good that they have rejected, the ultimate annihilation to which nihilism points.

The Imaginative Conservativeapplies the principle of appreciation to the discussion of culture and politicswe approach dialogue with magnanimity rather than with mere civility. Will you help us remain a refreshing oasis in the increasingly contentious arena of modern discourse? Please considerdonating now.

The featured image is a painting by Charles A. Buchel of Herbert Beerbohm Tree (18521917) as Macbeth in Macbeth by William Shakespeare. This file is in the public domain, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

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Macbeth Revisited: The Decline & Fall of Friedrich Nietzsche - The Imaginative Conservative

The actor and director Christoph Waltz on his musical childhood in Vienna, and the links betweentheatre, film and opera

I grew up with classical music. In the 1950s, early 60s, pop music hadnt been assigned todays importance yet, so what I grew up with was classical. Later, I remember my younger brother introduced me to The Beatles, but up until then music for me was classical music. Even then the orchestras and operas had programmes for children.

Seeing Birgit Nilsson in Turandot, aged about 10, was just incredible, and I remember almost every bit of it. My stepfather was a composer and conductor so he took me to the opera it was his responsibility. He said as long as you promise never to try to be part of the music business its the dirtiest business there is! Not that he knew many other businesses.

I studied voice and singing for a while at the University of Music and Performing Arts, so auditioned in both segments acting and singing and was enrolled in both for a while, until they said its too much, you should actually decide: do you want to be a singer or an actor? I had started working in films already by then, so I think I spared the music world an annoyance! But I thought how can I still live this unfulfilled detail of my life? And so when I was asked 10 years ago by Opera Ballet Vlaanderen whether I wanted to direct an opera, I said well, actually, I was more considerate when I studied and now I will not spare the music world the annoyance anymore!

They suggested Der Rosenkavalier I wouldnt have dared! (I wonder which one would I have dared to suggest?). I said are you sure, you know its kind of a major chunk as a first directing endeavour? And they said: Were looking for a director who can handle the theatrical aspect of it, because it is an interesting piece in that respect. It has been performed as a play, and it holds up as a play. I think it was that acting element that that made them approach me.

Ive done 15 years of consecutive theatre, but film informs my idea too about acting. I dont think stage necessitates neglecting details, thats one of my convictions that an audience doesnt want to be the target of stuff thats being thrown at them, they want to be the ones who decide whats going on, or at least I do when Im in the audience. You need to enable, you need to give the space and opportunity to enter whats going on upon the stage.

Singing was thankfully not the only musical activity I kind of pursued as a dilettante but I always tried to understand, I always tried to either get information about, or to figure out, what holds a work together thats a major part of my enjoyment of listening to music.

Im in Los Angeles now, so the offer of classical music is actually, for a town this size, ridiculously small ridiculous is kind! If youre in Vienna or London or Paris or Berlin, you might have three orchestras playing every night and 5-10 chamber ensembles. And not to talk about the opera houses! Vienna has three, Berlin has three, London has two, and they play every night because they play in repertory. Its not like that here.

In terms of what kind of music I listen to, I dont want to limit myself. Im interested in contemporary music, not that I understand it all that much, not that I like a lot of it, but then I dont like everything in Viennese classical either. Music is pretty much as Nietzsche said: it wouldnt be a life worth living without music but not only the three pieces that I like so much, or that I listen to on Classic FM every day. I need to expose myself to new works, to actually engage, to not make a priori judgements but to educate myself a little bit, not only by reading up but by actually exposing myself, widening my horizon, and maybe trying to live up to the occasion rather than trying to reduce the occasion to my restricted view. I find that one of the really, really fascinating aspects of music.

Christoph Waltzs new production of Der Rosenkavalier opens at Grand Thtre de Genve on December 13

This article originally appeared in the November 2023 issue of Gramophone magazine. Never miss an issue consider subscribing today

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Christoph Waltz | My Music: 'Music is pretty much as Nietzsche said: it wouldn't be a life worth living without music' - Gramophone

Candace Williams sheds light on the transformative power of faith in God

LOCUST GROVE, Ga., Dec. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Candace Williams marks her debut in the publishing scene with the release of a compelling memoir that seeks to guide women to confidently step into adulthood and live a life of fulfillment.

"A Better You Experience" (published by LifeRich Publishing) offers a profound exploration of the transformative power that God can bring to a woman's life. Here, the author reflects on her journey while artfully weaving together a rich tapestry of pivotal moments that have profoundly shaped the trajectory of her life. From sharing the personal journey of celibacy and choosing abstinence until marriage to breaking free from generational curses, overcoming self-sabotage, and mastering financial stewardship, this book provides a detailed roadmap toward self-improvement and personal fulfillment.

"This book stands apart from its counterparts through its unwavering commitment to purity, unvarnished honesty, and unfiltered realism," Williams states. "Unlike many other books on this subject, which often skim the surface when discussing matters of faith and spirituality, this book delves deep. It fearlessly explores both the uplifting aspects of life and the often-neglected, darker facets of the human experience. In doing so, it uncovers profound insights and invaluable lessons, offering readers a rare, authentic glimpse into the multifaceted tapestry of existence."

For those embarking on a journey of self-discovery, yearning for a deeper spiritual connection, and in pursuit of the allure of positivity, "A Better You Experience" stands as a tailored companion. To get a copy of the book, visit URL https://www.amazon.com/Better-You-Experience-Candace-Williams/dp/1489747877/.

"A Better You Experience" By Candace Williams Hardcover | 5.5 x 8.5in | 242 pages | ISBN 9781489747891 Softcover | 5.5 x 8.5in | 242 pages | ISBN 9781489747877 E-Book | 242 pages | ISBN 9781489747884 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author Candace Williams is an insightful author and a motivational figure in the realm of self-discovery and personal growth. Through her illuminating book, "A Better You Experience," she shares her profound wisdom and takes readers on a transformative journey, empowering women to make life-altering decisions with unwavering confidence and a clear sense of purpose. Having weathered the challenges of young adulthood herself, Williams deeply grasps the importance of intentional decision-making during this significant phase. Her book offers a compassionate and nurturing approach, skillfully guiding readers toward a deeper connection with God and an enhanced sense of self-worth. Through her eloquent prose and relatable anecdotes, Williams not only motivates readers to view past mistakes as stepping stones to growth but also encourages them to perceive these experiences through the lens of divine guidance and nurturing influence. She calls upon readers to wholeheartedly embrace their true purpose, leaving behind years of grappling with self-doubt.

LifeRich Publishing, the strategic publishing partnership of Reader's Digest and Author Solutions, LLC, was created to provide all writers a platform for sharing their stories, recipes, advice and more. LifeRich authors will benefit from a wealth of editorial design, marketing and education resources, specially created by Reader's Digest editors for the enrichment of these LifeSmart individuals. Books can be published in print, ebook or audio formats, with additional distribution to up to 25 million Reader's Digest customers through its online properties. For more information or to publish a book, please visit liferichpublishing.com or call 844-686-9607.

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Discover your path to self-empowerment and personal fulfillment with 'A Better You Experience' - PR Web

The Buterin Cards NFT collection triggered a 13% gas fee increase on the Ethereum (ETH) network. In the past 24 hours, transactions linked to the collection resulted in fees totaling 318.31 ETH, equivalent to $665,670.

As of 3:00 p.m. ET on Dec. 1, transactions linked to a new non-fungible token (NFT) project known as Buterin Cards reportedly accounted for over 13% of the total Ethereum network gas fees within three hours, surpassing fees from the Uniswap universal router address and Tethers public address, according to Etherscan data.

The surge in fees was a consequence of heightened demand for processing transactions associated with the Buterin Cards NFT collection.

The Buterin Cards project seeks to release 2,015 NFTs as a tribute to Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of the Ethereum blockchain. Utilizing a unique NFT minting process called JPEG mining, the project distinguishes itself by storing image data on-chain, deviating from conventional NFTs that only store metadata on-chain.

To ensure the integrity of the uploaded data and prevent arbitrary uploads, the smart contract verifies data correctness by computing its hash. The projects website explains that thanks to progressive JPEG technology, the NFT image gradually unveils as it undergoes the mining process.

In exchange for their contributions, miners are rewarded with a card featuring an image of Vitalik Buterin at various quality levels, according to the projects website.

In recent times, Ethereum has undergone significant developments, most notably the shift to a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, known as Ethereum 2.0. This transition replaced the energy-intensive proof-of-work (PoW) model, introducing staking, where validators stake 32 Ether (~$50,000) and are randomly selected to add blocks. This change has led to a remarkable 99.9% reduction in Ethereums energy consumption.

The broader Ethereum 2.0 upgrade, consisting of phases like the Beacon Chain, the Merge, and Shard Chains, aims to enhance scalability and security. These adjustments address Ethereums limitations, including scalability and energy consumption.

In terms of market performance, Ethereums price has rebounded, surpassing the $2,000 level and approaching new 52-week highs, reflecting a robust 2023 performance.

Additionally, Ethereum gas fees have experienced fluctuations, reaching their lowest levels since November 2022.

The decrease in gas fees has been attributed to a reduction in on-network activity, resulting in more manageable fees for Ethereum users. Factors influencing these changes include network congestion, Ethereum upgrades, and market speculation.

However, the primary goal has been to enhance scalability and decrease fees. Even though the immediate effects of these upgrades may not be evident, they have also contributed to the fluctuations in gas fees.

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Vitalik Buterin NFTs triggers surge in Ethereum gas fees - crypto.news

Charles Hoskinson (pictured) took the opportunity on Sunday to poke fun at his fellow crypto big-wigs. Photo By Piaras Mdheach/Sportsfile for Web Summit via Getty Images. Sportsfile Collection.

Charles Hoskinson has taken an opportunity to laugh at a well-known crypto industry Most Influential list. The Cardano founder made a comical reference to the correlation between being influential in the crypto industry and ending up behind bars.

Unfortunately for the Cardano founder, Hoskinson was not featured on the 2023 edition of the list, with Vitalik Buterin, the founder of Ethereum, also failing to make the cut. Although, Hoskinsons comments were made before the latest (2023) version of the list was published.

In a post on X, Hoskinson remarked: Fast Fact: appearing on Coindesks Most Influential list carries an 18 percent chance of a prison sentence. The blockchain veteran was referencing a preview post by the digital magazine which referenced its top entrants over the years.

CoinDesk, a leading news source in the crypto world, has been compiling its Most Influential List annually since 2014. This list reflects those who have made a significant impact on the crypto, blockchain, and Web3 spaces over the year. The 2022 edition of the list, like its predecessors, includes a diverse array of individuals from innovators and thought leaders to controversial figures.

Ethereums founder, Vitalik Buterin, leads with four appearances. Following closely are Balaji Srinivasan, former CTO of Coinbase, and the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto, both making it three times. Notably, Andre Conje, Andreas Antonopoulos, Brian Armstrong, CZ Zhao, Cynthia Lummis, Do Kwon, Gary Gensler, Gavin Andresen, Jack Dorsey, Jeremy Allaire, Jerome Powell, Pieter Wuille, and Sam Bankman-Fried have each appeared twice

On the list are convicted felons Sam Bankman-Fried, whose FTX exchange collapsed in spectacular fashion last year, and Do Kwon, whose TerraUSD stablecoin implosion kicked-off 2022s bear market. Changpeng CZ Zhao is currently looking at potential prison time after admitting serious wrongdoing to the U.S. Department of Justice for his time at the top of Binance.

This year the list includes Caroline Ellison (31) whose testimony helped put FTX founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, behind bars, and Larry Fink (13), the CEO of BlackRock, whose application for a spot Bitcoin ETF helped kick off a new wave of institutional interest in the cryptocurrency. Top of the list this year was Casey Rodarmar, the creator of Bitcoin Ordinals.

The CoinDesk list acknowledges the influence of its listed individuals without necessarily endorsing their actions. As it noted in its 2022 edition, We make no claim that this is a list of the most admirable or admired.

Hoskinsons latest remarks follow weeks of industry insights that have garnered significant attention. Last week, he criticized the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its inconsistent treatment of cryptocurrencies. He pointed to Bitcoins preferential status as one of the few cryptocurrencies not labeled a security.

However, he faced backlash for allegedly supporting the SECs decisions when they benefited Cardanos ADA, but not similarly defending XRP. Hoskinson refuted conspiracy theories involving Ethereum (so-called #EthGate) and demanded evidence for accusations of bribery, which have plagued Ethereums non-designation as a security.

Then, a few days later, Hoskinson developed his remarks on Bitcoin in a further AMA video.

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Charles Hoskinson Mocks Crypto Influencer List as Vitalik Buterin Fails to Make the Cut - CCN.com

U.Today - cofounder Vitalik Buterin has an ambitious redesign for the network, which, if implemented, could have profound implications for users and developers. Speaking at Devconnect in Turkey, Buterin outlined a strategy to enhance Ethereum staking and address performance issues that have been persistent thorns in the network's side.

Buterin's vision includes integrating private mempools and ERC-4337. Private mempools could offer users enhanced privacy and security by allowing them to conduct transactions without exposing their intentions to the public mempool where miners could see and potentially exploit them. ERC-4337 refers to account abstraction, allowing users to have more sophisticated control over their accounts, with operations like multisig wallets becoming easier to implement and more secure.

Code precompilation is another feature Buterin is keen on integrating. This could potentially increase the efficiency of smart contract deployment, making them quicker and cheaper to execute by preprocessing some elements of the code.

Liquid staking, a process that allows stakers to liquify staked (or locked) assets, is a feature Buterin wants to see improved. He has expressed concerns over the centralization of liquid staking solutions, which could be a risk for the network if too much control is in the hands of a few entities like . Decentralizing this aspect could democratize the staking process, giving more users the chance to participate without relinquishing liquidity.

The redesign proposes would likely make Ethereum more scalable, secure and efficient. These changes could lower the barriers to entry for new users and developers, fostering a more inclusive and robust ecosystem. The exact impact on Ethereum's price and the broader crypto market is speculative, but typically, improvements that address fundamental issues and enhance usability bode well for the network's value and adoption.

This article was originally published on U.Today

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Vitalik Buterin Wants to Redesign Ethereum, Here's How It Will Affect Everyone By U.Today - Investing.com

Source: tradingjokes / Instagram

This week in crypto: Vitalik Buterin said he plans to redesign Ethereum staking and praised the UTXO payment model, MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor bought an additional $593 million worth of BTC, Reddit renounced Moons contract completing the decentralization of the token, and Bitfinexs tokenized bond raised only $1.5 million of its initial target of $10 million. Trust Wallet alerted users about an ongoing issue with the Bitcoin node that could result in transaction delays.

In the gaming and NFT world, WAX Chief Gaming Officer Michael Rubinelli said we may be witnessing an overcorrection in the gaming investment landscape, Japanese gaming giant Square Enix began the character NFT auction for its game Symbiogenesis, Illuvium joined a blockchain gaming partnership with the esports powerhouse Team Liquid, and Magic Eden rolled out its Magic Eden Wallet in Beta, with the desktop browser extension to follow.

There was a lot of tax talk this week. Brazilian senators voted in favor of a bill that proposed taxing crypto profits earned on overseas platforms at a fixed rate of 15%, the UK taxing authority asked crypto users to disclose any unpaid taxes or risk fines, and Ukrainian lawmakers were set to debate two crypto tax bills.

Plenty was happening on the legal front, too. Binance founder Changpeng Zhao may not be off the hook yet as the US SEC continued to investigate Binance US, and a judge said Zhao cant leave the US until his sentencing in February.

Then, FTX received court approval to liquidate the $744 million Grayscale Trust assets, while crypto lender Genesis and its parent company DCG reached a settlement in the $620M lawsuit. Bankrupt crypto lender Celsius opened withdrawals for eligible custody customers on November 29, but its Bitcoin mining plans faced obstacles as a US judge hinted at a possible new vote to clear deviations.

Meanwhile, Apple terminated its credit-card partnership with Goldman Sachs as the tech giant pushed deeper into consumer lending, and Upbit crypto exchanges operator Dunamu suffered an 82% drop in profits in Q3. Robinhood said it has plans to launch in the UK as early as the start of 2024, crypto-friendly SEBA Bank rebranded to AMINA Bank, and digital asset brokerage Fasset received a VASP license from Dubas VARA.

While neobank Canza Finances CEO said their DeFi tech provides decentralized FX for African currencies, the United Nations Development Program partnered with the Algorand Foundation to launch a blockchain academy,

Lastly crime. Plenty of it. Immunefi found that $343,038,810 was lost to hacks and fraud in November alone. The US DOJ seized nearly $9 million in USDT from a pig butchering scam organization with Tethers help, Hong Kong authorities confirmed 145 victims and $19 million lost in the crypto scam involving the unlicensed Hounax exchange, and Turkish crypto exchange associated with a Hull City sponsorship, Tumya, was at the center of a fraud scandal.

Also, Indian authorities intensified efforts to bring the mastermind behind a $240 million scam back to the country, while In South Korea, the police raided a drug trafficking organization that used crypto as a payment tool and arrested a group of people suspected of duping 170 people by posing as crypto-issuing robot developers.

Now, their majesties the jokes.

__________

GM, all!

__

Have a colamilk day!

__

Were not done with SBF just yet.

__

Look at that waste. (I intend my puns.)

__

A ton of floor to sleep on and eat on

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Priorities.

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Memes good.

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The most what am I doing here look ever.

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Having more luck than brains.

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Must do d due diligence.

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Sooo, hard?

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Why would anybody be so cruel?

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Lets check what the resident analysts are forecating.

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Oopsie.

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And discuss.

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What say you? You agree with the character choice, and why not?

__

Lets check up on Binance.

__

CZ, a comment?

__

Get it! Get it!

__

For the end: truth.

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Vitalik Buterin's Plans, Changpeng Zhao's Hooks, Michael Saylor's Shoppings and 20 Crypto Jokes - Cryptonews

Popular organic grocer Whole Foods Market brings in millions of customers looking for high-quality foods and products. When you're shopping for responsibly sourced meat, fish, fresh produce, and eco-friendly household products, many will say there's no better place than the Amazon-owned retailer.

However, if you're going for top-tier quality, you're also likely to pay top dollar. Over the years, Whole Foods has developed the common nickname "Whole Paycheck" because its prices often seem much higher than other grocers. And while the caliber of certain top-grade products may justify the added expense, some shoppers would argue that's not always the case with every item at the store.

When the value equation just doesn't add up, customers regularly turn to social media to express their frustrations. Here are eight products that are simply not worth buying at Whole Foods, according to the buyers themselves.

Most large grocery chains have one: the hot bar, a place to get pre-made soups, salads, sandwiches, and other to-go foods. When you step into the prepared foods section, you can find a full buffet of options, which seems like a great idea for someone who needs to grab a quick bite.

Convenient? Definitely. Reasonably priced? Not really. Up to $13.99 per pound in some locations, a box of food from this section can cost as much as sitting down at a restaurant to eat. A TikTok video that went viral in April showed a customer who filled up her box, thinking it was going to cost around $10. But, at checkout, the total rang up much higher: $26. "I could've literally did DoorDash," the poster said in the video.

The high price isn't necessarily justified by its quality, either. While you may assume that these foods are prepared fresh on site, that no longer appears to be the case. According to Eating Well, the retailer mostly closed down its in-store kitchens in 2017 and moved food preparation off-site. In other words, the offerings you see now are generally made elsewhere, then transported, reheated, and then served.

RELATED:10 Best Frozen Foods To Buy at Whole Foods for Weight Loss

The seafood counter at Whole Foods is probably one of the best, thanks to its "responsibly farmed" policies, which requires traceability to the source of the fish and third-party certification of suppliers to meet the company's standards. However, if you ask the fishmonger to cut you a piece of salmon, you'd do well to inspect it first. If it looks old, skip itit may have been sitting in the case for a few days.

One professed regular Whole Foods shopper took to Reddit, complaining that "on at least 50% of occasions, I find myself wondering if the fish is fresh."

A self-described fish-counter employee responded: "Distributors will send us old fish all the time and we either send it back or we sell it. That means that we sometimes sell some old shit not gonna lie. For fish going in the case, freshness and acceptability of sale is a matter of what we deem the quality, it isn't the magic 5 day expiration." The employees may judge the quality to be sellable after a few days, but that doesn't mean you should buy it. You can opt for frozen fish instead, which is likely to be fresher once you thaw it yourself.

One of the easiest ways to burn cash at Whole Foods is to add a container of pre-cut fruits or vegetables to your cart. You're paying an upcharge for the convenience, but the cost is steep. One customer recently posted a photo on Reddit of a modest container of mixed fruit that cost nearly $15. "The pricing on whole foods prepped fruits is a huge mystery to me," wrote one commenter. "I can buy a whole pineapple for $2.28, a large package of blueberries for $5.50, a mango for $1 from Walmart," added another. "Not sure what else is in there But that is already enough for 3-4 of these cups for less than $10." 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

RELATED:6 Fascinating Facts About Whole Foods' 365 Brand

There are certainly reasons to buy organic when you're shopping for produce, like minimizing your intake of pesticides and supporting a sustainable environment. When picking up strawberries, spinach, and other foods that are most susceptible to pesticides,it might be worth the premium price tag.

However, it's probably more cost effective to shop elsewhere for non-organic foods that typically have minimal pesticide residue, like avocados and carrots. Customers see significant price hikes on conventional produce at the Amazon-owned market compared to low-cost grocers like Trader Joe's and Aldi. "WF jacks their prices, even for conventional produce," wrote one self-described former Whole Foods employee on Reddit. Since the difference in nutrition is minimal, you might as well save these few extra dollars where you can.

In the bulk department, you can bag your own grains, flours, beans, spices, nuts, and more. It's a great way to only buy what you need, and you can find some deals in this section. However, some types of nuts in particular can be quite expensive. Shelled pistachios cost as much as $16.79 per pound in some locations, and macadamia nuts can be upwards of $19.99 per pound. Of course, you can choose to still buy a small amount and eat them sparingly, or you could just find a local store that might sell them cheaper. "Nuts that are $9.99 a pound at WF are $5.99/lb at my local market, and sometimes cheaper at Aldi," wrote one commenter on Reddit.

RELATED:13 Highest-Quality Olive Oils on Grocery Shelves

Top-of-the-line organic dairy milk is in ample supply at Whole Foods, with brands like Horizon, Organic Valley, and Maple Hill Creamery ranging about $6 to $8 for a half gallon. If you're looking for something a bit more affordable, however, the retailer also sells milk under its house brand, 365, which costs a few bucks less.

Lately, however, customers have complained about the quality of the 365 brand milk. Several shoppers on Reddit have commented on its "odd taste" and tendency to spoil quickly. "It varies between a strong plastic taste and just tasting like it's about to spoil even when the date is 10 days out," wrote one commenter."We will not buy milk at WF anymore," griped another customer. "It is the 3rd time that the milk goes sour days before its expiring date." The same poster added, "We do not have that problem with any other types and or/brands of other milk."

Buying a fresh, fully-cooked chicken at the grocery store is one of the best ways to save time on cooking, and if you know how to use it well, just one bird can go a long way. But you definitely won't save money if you pick one up at this premium market. A classic rotisserie chicken here is $9.99, and if you want it organic, it's $13.99. The cult-favorite rotisserie chicken at Costco costs about half as much and tastes better, according to a recent taste test by Eat This, Not That! "Doesn't stand out like some of Whole Foods other products," wrote one Amazon reviewer. "Not as good as Costco, more expensive."

Whole Foods' bakery is truly a treasure trove of high-quality cakes, pies, cookies, and pastries. That said, if there's one basic bakery item that you should buy somewhere else, it's the croissants. While customers will admit that they're tasty, they also wish they were cheaper. "They are expensive for what you get," wrote one Amazon reviewer. A box of four laminated pastries costs over $7. Meanwhile, you can get a full dozen for just $6 at Costco. Instead of paying more for less on these, why not put that money towards your next Berry Chantilly Cake?

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8 Whole Foods Items You Should Never Buy, According to Customers - Eat This, Not That

According to research, chemistry is hugely significant in the food processing sector. It informs us about the changes in foods during processing and storage. Again, per another research, every company uses nutrient preservatives in the foodstuff during processing. After adding this additive, the foods color, flavor display, texture, feel, noise (cackle), etc., remains intact for a long duration.

Chemistry or organic chemistry plays a pivotal role in comprehending the composition, flavor, aroma, and nutritional aspects of foods. According to reputed stalwarts who offer chemistry homework help for an eminent academic website, AssignmentHelp.us, this helps in elucidating the chemical compounds that are responsible for the smell and taste of different nutrient items, like the reactions and transformations that take place during food preparation and processing.

The chemistry behind food preservation and flavoring is a complicated and intriguing field surrounding different chemical reactions, processes, and techniques. Here, we will walk you through crucial ways chemistry is used in the food processing industry for preservation and flavor enhancement.

A close look at any chemistry homework sample of reputed websites will help you understand that organic compounds, especially Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), are responsible for the aromas and flavors of foods. These compounds contribute to the sensory experience of drinking and eating. Certain aroma compounds are aldehydes, ketones, esters, and terpenes.

The Maillard reaction is a prominent organic chemical reaction that occurs during cooking and offers food its characteristic brown color and rich flavor. Mike Grey, a reputed expert who offers assignment answers and solutions at a renowned academic website, Assignmenthelp.us, strongly claims that this is the reaction that develops flavors in baked goods, roasted coffee, grilled meat, and more.

Enzymes in food can catalyze different chemical reactions, leading to changes in texture, flavor, and nutritional content. For instance, enzymes like lipases can break down lipids into fatty acids and glycerol that can hugely impact the flavor and texture of cheese.

Certain organic compounds are used as flavor enhancers to intensify food taste. MSG is a renowned instance that improves umami, the savory taste.

Industrial food preservation typically includes three main preservatives: benzoates, nitrites, nitrates, and sulphites. But, before any of these chemical preservatives are added, food products generally undergo different steps in the preservation process. This might incorporate cooking, pasteurization, and irradiation.

These are the salts of the conjugate base. Sodium benzoate is industrially produced through the neutralization reaction between benzoic acid and sodium hydroxide. Its also organically present in berries, cranberries, seafood, and dairy products. At room temperature, sodium benzoate is a white crystalline substance. When dissolved in water, it becomes acidic. This acidity prevents microbial growth and prolongs the shelf life of food.

Meat products like bacon, sausages, and corned beef comprise nitrates or nitrites. Akin to benzoates, these are effective in preventing bacterial and fungal growth. These are also particularly useful in preventing the reproduction of Clostridium botulinum bacterium, which causes botulism or food poisoning.

Apart from meat, nitrates are also useful for other food processing methods like cheese manufacturing. They can prevent certain kinds of cheeses from bloating while theyre being fermented.

These antioxidants generally extend the shelf life of foods like radishes, dried fruits, and potatoes. Mainly used for aesthetic purposes, they stop the oxidation process, which causes dried vegetables and fruits to turn brown.

Flavor enhancement and food preservation are almost as old as humanity itself. In the recent era, the food manufacturing industry depends heavily on using chemical preservatives for food processing. These chemical preservatives can make foods safer to eat as they prevent the growth of potentially harmful bacteria. But theres also evidence to suggest that taking excessive kinds of preservatives can be detrimental to our health, too.

Like long-term consumption of processed meat has been linked to an increased risk of developing different kinds of cancer. Hence, food scientists and technologists are continuously discovering and developing new methods to improve food quality, safety, and shelf life while keeping the needs and consumer preferences in mind.

Featured image credit: Diana Polekhina/Unsplash

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The Impact Of Chemistry On Food Preservation And Flavor ... - Dataconomy

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Deep Water fromiN Natural Dream, a Korean organic anticancer food brand, is receiving much attention. Deep Water is carton water launched by iCOOP's food brand iN Natural Dream in alignment with World Environment Day in 2021. Deep Water is carton-packed mineral-rich deep seawater deep down from more than 600m without heavy metals and microplastics (45m standards).

Carton packages are safe from harmful substances such as microplastics, even when exposed to high temperatures or direct sunlight. Instead of focusing on plastic reduction and recycling, iN Natural Dream focuses on the fundamental problem of the indiscriminate use of plastic water bottles. It recycles used cartons into toilet papers or building panels. Cartons have replaced plastics as eco-friendly materials as the amount of carbon generated during the production and disposal process is about one-third lower than that of plastic bottles.

Moreover, Deep Water features price competitiveness to Korean consumers sold at a similar price to plastic bottled water.

"Many studies show that microplastics can be fatal to cancer patients to the extent of resisting anticancer drugs", iN Natural Dream said. "As the resumed fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) adopted an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, we are looking for ways to curb the use of plastic from the production stage. We produce drinking water good for both people and the planet."

Well-received for its safety and eco-friendliness, Deep Water has recently made its way to Japan. It even presents competitiveness with a price about 7% lower than other famous imported bottled water brands in Japan. Detailed information about Deep Water can be found on the official website. (https://insaltroad.co.kr/en/index.php)

SOURCE iCOOP

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iN Natural Dream's Carton "Deep Water" Is Ousting Plastics in Korea - PR Newswire