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Some of the first big server farms devoted to bitcoin were located in the frozen wastes of Finland.  Why?  Because cooling  costs are minimised when the servers are packed into below ground containers.  But in general, the biggest thing holding back eco-enthusiasts who want to buy BTC, is how much
energy the mining uses. It is very environmentally unfriendly  to get involved with crypto as it relies largely on fossil fuels.
However, that seems poised to change as the price of bitcoin has opened up the possibility to use renewables. With the value of Bitcoin soaring above $20,000 at the moment it means that there can be alternatives to mining. Solar power is not the most consistent in areas where the servers currency operate but that might not be enough to hold it back at this point. Even though we don’t love solar farms, this might provide a solution.

Let’s be honest. The driving force in bitcoin mining is not going to be trying to find a smaller carbon footprint, it will be the cost to mine the coins. Right now, since the computing power required to verify the transactions, also known as mining, is so great it costs a lot to operate.
The only way that switching to solar is going to be viable is if the price is right. There are two things that are working in favor of solar at the moment. One is the value of bitcoin these days. Well above $20,000 in value, it can absorb some higher energy costs and
still be worth mining.

This means that if they had to go somewhere like California to take over the mining energy required then it could still make sense. And farms could be constructed just for the mining operations so it is not going to add to the grid. It would be the same as installing a solar panel on your home to provide you with the energy that you need without needing to be part of the grid.
The other aspect is that solar energy is finally very inexpensive. If you wanted to mine bitcoin and invest in some of the computers you could do so with a good solar power set up if you live in the right part of the world.

Where it makes sense
There are a lot of sunny areas in the world where mining could theoretically take place. However, there are many logistical challenges and this is what is holding back the implementing of solar as the preferred way to power mining. One of which is the infrastructure required to provide the energy is generally lacking in many areas. Many countries in the equatorial region are developing and not ready to
provide a stable energy source.
The other issue is the heat itself. It uses almost as much energy to cool the servers as it does to mine …

The Spanish authorities are boasting they increased the number of cannabis plants seized in the past year – but that still only amounts to a move from from hardly any to very few indeed given the size of the population.

The Guardian Civil took down 9,200 plants last year from 700 arrests across the entire nation, but the main reason for the 67% rise over the previous year was one bust of 3500 plants in Cantabria this September.

Huge resources are being dedicated to tracking down the illegal growers, thereby forgoing one of the main benefits of cannabis legalisation – freeing up police time for more important things. Like stealing electricity – which is a crime that often goes hand in hand with illegal growing.

Prior to decriminalisation, it was easy for the police to visit a site and take a look. Now, the procedures are complicated and the Guardia Civil officers need to track and collect evidence before the judicial authority will give permission to enter.

Statistics confirms that the profile of the plantation owners, is increasingly from the networks of organized crime.…

[before_listing images= youtube=null] Could-a, should-a, would-a.
What’s it gonna take to wake you up?
Unless you get off your butts yesterday, you are toast.
In reality, when the social structure breaks down, there will be nobody to insure justice.
Might makes right.
There will be only two kinds of people.
The Perpetrator and the victim, the hunter and the hunted, The master and the slave.
Pretty much everything I have read on line describes these two elements in one fashion or another.
In my opinion, survival will be a crap shoot.
Whatever you do, whatever your resources are, have a plan.
Remember, before you can solve a problem, you have to recognize that there is a problem.
If you don’t see that not preparing is a problem, then so be it. I wish you all the luck.
In my next message, I will run through a few scenarios. If you have any scenarios, please post them. Any plan is better than no plan, although “No plan” could also be considered a plan. LOL
Love ya all till you try to take my stuff!

[landbuddy_listing youtube=null]…

In these difficult times, it is reassuring to know that if you are a homeowner yo may be able to raise cash that only needs to be repaid after your death.

As long as you have no intention whatsoever of selling your off-grid residence, a reverse home loan
could be of great value as another way to keep control of your finances. Here are some pointers to help you find your way around the retirement home loan, more commonly known as a reverse mortgage.
How does the payback work?
The payback terms on a reverse mortgage are very different to those of a normal loan. The first
significant difference is that you have a lot more time in which to pay the amount back, than you
would have otherwise. The payment terms are very flexible, and you will only have to pay back the
total if you ever choose to sell or leave the house. A reverse home loan is a great way to free up
some extra money during retirement. Its flexibility gives you more control over how you choose to
handle the repayment of the amount you borrowed.
Keep within your means
Especially for those who are well-versed in the workings of traditional loans, the relaxed conditions
of a reverse home loan can seem idyllic. In spite of the very definite benefits this kind of loan, it is
crucial that you don’t lose sight of the fact that it is still a loan like any other. This means that you
would still have to consider the impact of interest, which will still accrue during the loan term, and
for which you will be responsible at the end of the loan term. If you reach the end of the loan period
and are unable to pay back the amount owing, the house will have to be sold in order to recoup the
costs. For this reason, the value of your house is a large consideration in the application process, as
the overall value has to be great enough to cover whatever is left outstanding.
When you approach a lender, they will assess your financial situation using a tool known as a reverse home loan calculator.

Using this points system, factors such as the age of your house, its location and its general condition will be used to rate your application. Due to the intervention of federal laws, you will be blocked from
borrowing the full value of your home. This is where the reverse mortgage calculator come in handy
– it simplifies and regulates the application process without bias.
How do you get your money?
Upon approval of your loan application, you can pick one of several ways in which you can take
receipt of your money, from regular payments that occur monthly, almost like a salary, to taking it as
a line of credit, so you can spend …

Going camping is a fantastic way to relax and unwind. And it’s a first step towards a life off the grid.
Its an activity you can enjoy by yourself, or you can invite friends and family. When you are preparing a camping trip, there are several points that you will have to keep in mind, such as a suitable shelter, and packing enough food and water for your adventure.
Another aspect of camping that you should plan carefully is how you are going to create your campfire at night. The main requirement is dry wood, and a way of lighting the fire. You might want to take a few logs with you, as well as collect some on the way. Wet wood is harder to light, burns slower and gives off more smoke and pollution.

Making a Campfire
Making a fire when you are out camping is useful for two reasons. First of all, a campfire is a great way to keep everyone warm when the temperature drops at night. Your fire will be a fun place for everyone to gather and spend the evening together. This will help everyone get warm and cosy before they go off to their own tents.
Secondly, if you dont happen to own a sun oven, a campfire can be used to cook on when you are sleeping outdoors. You might be tempted to take a stove with you for convenience and ease, but why not cook on a campfire for a more authentic outdoor experience!
Flint and Steel
Using flint and steel to start a campfire is a reliable solution and does not require much time or effort. You simply strike the steel, and sparks will fly into your char cloth, which you then use to ignite a pile of kindling, allowing you to easily start your campfire. Preppers recommend make sure to shop this flint and steel collection. This is going to come in very handy if you find that there are no other ways to make a campfire, so always ensure you have access to tools like this if you want to keep warm while camping.
Teepee Campfire
This is one of the easiest ways to start a campfire. Simply lean your logs together in a pyramid shape over some kindling and add pieces of fuelwood as the fire is getting started. Depending on the size of your teepee campfire, you may find that the logs fall as they burn, so make sure nobody is sitting too close to the flames when you are using this method.
Star Fire
This is a great way to make a campfire if you do not have access to much wood or if you want to keep your fire small for any reason. To make a star fire, get a small pile of kindling going and then position logs into the fire …