Oddbean

@fiatjaf begged me to come up with this. NOSTR is a set of agreements on a file system. Everyone indexes their own files using cryptography to describe under whatever name the data is published. Because these names are random and unique, there is no conflict among the identities so they can all exist next to each other. This means the data can be gathered and redistributed by anyone, and they don't have to concern themselves with indexing such that others know what to ask for. You yourself can be such a relay, or use any (multiple of) services out there to transmit your notes and other stuff to anyone who asks for it. This Notes and Other stuff Transmitted Over Relays (NOSTR) protocol is not special because it uses public private key pair cryptography. Its method of success among all attempts out there is realizing that the indexing part is not what is ultimately important in becoming an open standard; but the practical, concrete means used in applying the index amongst each other. Complexity in integrating the protocol into other systems results in centralization of development. The consequence is a limited offer in software resulting in a no longer really open standard that is in the hands of those who facilitate the tools used to speak the protocol. By being specific on its simple set up, NOSTR can be a new starting point to set up the infrastructure we use on the internet; where we are free to name, share, find and experience.

Next time someone ask you what is Nostr you must answer with this: nostr:nevent1qqsqt6jadfdlgap98lxt7mql246q72qahhtqr5en0l8znwdnvz93r7spzpmhxue69uhk2tnwdaejumr0dshsz8nhwden5te0vejk2ern9ehx7um5wghxyctwvshhqmmsw4kxzuspvemhxue69uhkv6tvw3jhytnwdaehgu3wwa5kuef0dec82c33vyehqanhv5e8qvmkxakku6n6xe5xcefkxdervv3cwakrjae4xcmkzaehw5erxen6w9enqd3jwc6hvutrw9ch2vmnva5rx0mzwfhkzerrv9ehg0t5wf6k2qgwwaehxw309ahx7uewd3hkctcpr4mhxue69uhkummnw3ez6vp39e3x7mr59ehkyum9wfmx2u30qy28wumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnp0f6x2tnrduhszxnhwden5te0dehhxarj9eekzmnywa5kx6pwveshymf0qy0hwumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnnv46xsen0wfc8y6tkv93hjtnrdakj7qgnwaehxw309ahkvenrdpskjm3wwp6kytcprpmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujucm4wfex2mn59en8j6f0qy2hwumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnyv9kh2uewd9hj7qghwaehxw309aex2mrp0yhxummnw3ezucnpdejz7qfpwaehxw309aex2mrp0yhxummnw3ezucnpdejz7un9wd68y6trw3jkgqg7waehxw309aex2mrp0yhxummnw3ezucnpdejz7arjw4ehgetyqyd8wumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnndp5hgen0wf3k2tn0dejj7qg5waehxw309aex2mrp09skymr99ehhyee0hyx7k0

Nah, file system doesn’t fit. Nostr is a new protocol sitting alongside email and HTTP, starting with genuinely different principles. I’d pragmatically define a FS as anything you could write a sane FUSE for

Please read the word "file" with an open mind: nostr:nevent1qqsqt6jadfdlgap98lxt7mql246q72qahhtqr5en0l8znwdnvz93r7sppemhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mp0qgs9afryspzmk8ljyfj4mhfkumwwmhzrtyxzvzgvfp477w80g5x6t0grqsqqqqqpm60kg7

I like this way of thinking of #nostr Compared to "web3", nostr focuses on a shared data structure, not on a shared execution environment like smart contract platforms. It's flexible for nearly any use-case and so much easier to wrap your head around, therefore it grows quickly. nostr:note1qh4966jm736z207vhakp74t5pu5pm0wkq8fnxl7w9xumxcytz8aq7v96gc