Actress Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, who plays Sofia on Apple TV+’s “Loot,” tells theGrio in an exclusive interview that her character will explore a new phase in the upcoming second season. In season one, Sofia is a determined executive director at billionaire Molly Wells’ philanthropic ...

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How to watch 'Loot' season 2 online – release date, episode schedule | Tom's Guide

Rudolph is still terrific fun as a billionaire’s ex intent on shedding her riches, but this second series tries too hard to be serious

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Creators Matt Hubbard and Alan Yang pull the curtain back on their Apple TV+ comedy.

'Loot' Season 2 Scoop on Molly's Charitable Challenges & Sophia's Romance

The video, called ‘Discord Loot Boxes are here’, is a straightforward April Fool’s joke about adding loot boxes to the online communication platform. That, you would have thought, would be that. But something odd happened: the video saw hundreds of millions of views in the blink of an ...

Discord Seemingly Accidentally Viewbotted Its Own April Fool’s Video to Smash the GTA 6 Trailer Record in Half a Day - IGN

Maya Rudolph, Michael Jaé Rodriguez, Joel Kim Booster and more return in new installments of the Apple TV+ comedy The post ‘Loot’ Season 2 Episode Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Air? appeared first on TheWrap.

‘Loot’ Season 2 Episode Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Air?

Matt Hubbard &amp; Alan Yang are interviewed for AppleTV+&#x27;s Loot Season 2. The series is produced by and stars Maya Rudolph and is created by Alan Yang and Matt ...

Loot Season 2 creators Matt Hubbard & Alan Yang on the joy of returning to these characters & cast - YouTube

Never going too dark or deep, Apple TV+&#x27;s series remains a fun showcase of its star&#x27;s charms.

Loot season 2 review: Maya Rudolph's comedy is here for a good time

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Loot

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BetFury Unveils Innovative NFT Lootboxes In Its Expanding NFT Ecosystem

The Moon Metal by Garrett Putman Serviss is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book here. THE LOOTING OF THE MOON THE LOOTING OF THE MOON I shall spare the reader a recital of the tireless efforts, continuing through many almost sleepless weeks, whereby Andrew Hall obtained his clew to Dr. Syx’s method. It was manifest from the beginning that the agent concerned must be some form of etheric, or so-called electric, energy; but how to set it in operation was the problem. Finally he hit upon the apparatus for his initial experiments which I have already described. “Recurring to what had been done more than half a century ago by Hertz, when he concentrated electric waves upon a focal point by means of a concave mirror,” said Hall, “I saw that the key I wanted lay in an extension of these experiments. At last I found that I could transform the energy of an engine into undulations of the ether, which, when they had been concentrated upon a metallic object, like a chunk of gold, imparted to it an intense charge of an apparently electric nature. Upon thus charging a metallic body enclosed in a vacuum, I observed that the energy imparted to it possessed the remarkable power of disrupting its atoms and projecting them off in straight lines, very much as occurs with a kathode in a Crookes’s tube. But—and this was of supreme importance—I found that the line of projection was directly towards the apparatus from which the impulse producing the charge had come. In other words, I could produce two poles between which a marvellous interaction occurred. My transformer, with its concentrating mirror, acted as one pole, from which energy was transferred to the other pole, and that other pole immediately flung off atoms of its own substance in the direction of the transformer. But these atoms were stopped by the glass wall of the vacuum tube; and when I tried the experiment with the metal removed from the vacuum, and surrounded with air, it failed utterly. “This at first completely discouraged me, until I suddenly remembered that the moon is in a vacuum, the great vacuum of interplanetary space, and that it possesses no perceptible atmosphere of its own. At this a great light broke around me, and I shouted ‘Eureka!’ Without hesitation I constructed a transformer of great power, furnished with a large parabolic mirror to transmit the waves in parallel lines, erected the machinery and buildings here, and when all was ready for the final experiment I telegraphed for you.” Prepared by these explanations I was all on fire to see the thing tried. Hall was no less eager, and, calling in his two faithful assistants to make the final adjustments, he led the way into what he facetiously named “the lunar chamber.” “If we fail,” he remarked with a smile that had an element of worriment in it, “it will become the ‘lunatic chamber’—but no danger of that. You observe this polished silver knob, supported by a metallic rod curved over at the top like a crane. That constitutes the pole from which I propose to transmit the energy to the moon, and upon which I expect the storm of atoms to be centred by reflection from the mirror at whose focus it is placed.” “One moment,” I said. “Am I to understand that you think that the moon is a solid mass of artemisium, and that no matter where your radiant force strikes it a ‘kathodic pole’ will be formed there from which atoms will be projected to the earth?” “No,” said Hall, “I must carefully choose the point on the lunar surface where to operate. But that will present no difficulty. I made up my mind as soon as I had penetrated Syx’s secret that he obtained the metal from those mystic white streaks which radiate from Tycho, and which have puzzled the astronomers ever since the invention of telescopes. I now believe those streaks to be composed of immense veins of the metal that Syx has most appropriately named artemisium, which you, of course, recognize as being derived from the name of the Greek goddess of the moon, Artemis, whom the Romans called Diana. But now to work!” It was less than a day past the time of new moon, and the earth’s satellite was too near the sun to be visible in broad daylight. Accordingly, the mirror had to be directed by means of knowledge of the moon’s place in the sky. Driven by accurate clockwork, it could be depended upon to retain the proper direction when once set. With breathless interest I watched the proceedings of my friend and his assistants. The strain upon the nerves of all of us was such as could not have been borne for many hours at a stretch. When everything had been adjusted to his satisfaction, Hall stepped back, not without betraying his excitement in flushed cheeks and flashing eyes, and pressed a lever. The powerful engine underneath the floor instantly responded. The experiment was begun. “I have set it upon a point about a hundred miles north of Tycho, where the Yerkes photographs show a great abundance of the white substance,” said Hall. Then we waited. A minute elapsed. A bird, fluttering in the opening above, for a second or two, wrenched our strained nerves. Hall’s face turned pale. “They had better keep away from here,” he whispered, with a ghastly smile. Two minutes! I could hear the beating of my heart. The engine shook the floor. Three minutes! Hall’s face was wet with perspiration. The bird blundered in and startled us again. Four minutes! We were like statues, with all eyes fixed on the polished ball of silver, which shone in the brilliant light concentrated upon it by the mirror. Five minutes! The shining ball had become a confused blue, and I violently winked to clear my vision. “At last! Thank God! Look! There it is!” It was Hall who spoke, trembling like an aspen. The silver knob had changed color. What seemed a miniature rainbow surrounded it, with concentric circles of blinding brilliance. Then something dropped flashing into an earthen dish set beneath the ball! Another glittering drop followed, and, at a shorter interval, another! Almost before a word could be uttered the drops had coalesced and become a tiny stream, which, as it fell, twisted itself into a bright spiral, gleaming with a hundred shifting hues, and forming on the bottom of the dish a glowing, interlacing maze of viscid rings and circlets, which turned and twined about and over one another, until they had blended and settled into a button-shaped mass of hot metallic jelly. Hall snatched the dish away, and placed another in its stead. “This will be about right for a watch charm when it cools,” he said, with a return of his customary self-command. “I promised you the first specimen. I’ll catch another for myself.” “But can it be possible that we are not dreaming?” I exclaimed. “Do you really believe that this comes from the moon?” “Just as surely as rain comes from the clouds,” cried Hall, with all his old impatience. “Haven’t I just showed you the whole process?” “Then I congratulate you. You will be as rich as Dr. Syx.” “Perhaps,” was the unperturbed reply, “but not until I have enlarged my apparatus. At present I shall hardly do more than supply mementoes to my friends. But since the principle is established, the rest is mere detail.” Six weeks later the financial centres of the earth were shaken by the news that a new supply of artemisium was being marketed from a mill which had been secretly opened in the Sierras of California. For a time there was almost a panic. If Hall had chosen to do so, he might have precipitated serious trouble. But he immediately entered into negotiations with government representatives, and the inevitable result was that, to preserve the monetary system of the world from upheaval, Dr. Syx had to consent that Hall’s mill should share equally with his in the production of artemisium. During the negotiations the doctor paid a visit to Hall’s establishment. The meeting between them was most dramatic. Syx tried to blast his rival with a glance, but knowledge is power, and my friend faced his mysterious antagonist, whose deepest secrets he had penetrated, with an unflinching eye. It was remarked that Dr. Syx became a changed man from that moment. His masterful air seemed to have deserted him, and it was with something resembling humility that he assented to the arrangement which required him to share his enormous gains with his conqueror. Of course, Hall’s success led to an immediate recrudescence of the efforts to extract artemisium from the Syx ore, and, equally of course, every such attempt failed. Hall, while keeping his own secret, did all he could to discourage the experiments, but they naturally believed that he must have made the very discovery which was the subject of their dreams, and he could not, without betraying himself, and upsetting the finances of the planet, directly undeceive them. The consequence was that fortunes were wasted in hopeless experimentation, and, with Hall’s achievement dazzling their eyes, the deluded fortune-seekers kept on in the face of endless disappointments and disaster. And presently there came another tragedy. The Syx mill was blown up! The accident—although many people refused to regard it as an accident, and asserted that the doctor himself, in his chagrin, had applied the match—the explosion, then, occurred about sundown, and its effects were awful. The great works, with everything pertaining to them, and every rail that they contained, were blown to atoms. They disappeared as if they had never existed. Even the twin tunnels were involved in the ruin, a vast cavity being left in the mountain-side where Syx’s ten acres had been. The force of the explosion was so great that the shattered rock was reduced to dust. To this fact was owing the escape of the troops camped near. While the mountain was shaken to its core, and enormous parapets of living rock were hurled down the precipices of the Teton, no missiles of appreciable size traversed the air, and not a man at the camp was injured. But Jackson’s Hole, filled with red dust, looked for days afterwards like the mouth of a tremendous volcano just after an eruption. Dr. Syx had been seen entering the mill a few minutes before the catastrophe by a sentinel who was stationed about a quarter of a mile away, and who, although he was felled like an ox by the shock, and had his eyes, ears, and nostrils filled with flying dust, miraculously escaped with his life. After this a new arrangement was made whereby Andrew Hall became the sole producer of artemisium, and his wealth began to mount by leaps of millions towards the starry heights of the billions. About a year after the explosion of the Syx mill a strange rumor got about. It came first from Budapest, in Hungary, where it was averred several persons of credibility had seen Dr. Max Syx. Millions had been familiar with his face and his personal peculiarities, through actually meeting him, as well as through photographs and descriptions, and, unless there was an intention to deceive, it did not seem possible that a mistake could be made in identification. There surely never was another man who looked just like Dr. Syx. And, besides, was it not demonstrable that he must have perished in the awful destruction of his mill? Soon after came a report that Dr. Syx had been seen again; this time at Ekaterinburg, in the Urals. Next he was said to have paid a visit to Batang, in the mountainous district of southwestern China, and finally, according to rumor, he was seen in Sicily, at Nicolosi, among the volcanic pimples on the southern slope of Mount Etna. Next followed something of more curious and even startling interest. A chemist at Budapest, where the first rumors of Syx’s reappearance had placed the mysterious doctor, announced that he could produce artemisium, and proved it, although he kept his process secret. Hardly had the sensation caused by this news partially subsided when a similar report arrived from Ekaterinburg; then another from Batang; after that a fourth from Nicolosi! Nobody could fail to notice the coincidence; wherever the doctor—or was it his ghost?—appeared, there, shortly afterwards, somebody discovered the much-sought secret. After this Syx’s apparitions rapidly increased in frequency, followed in each instance by the announcement of another productive artemisium mill. He appeared in Germany, Italy, France, England, and finally at many places in the United States. “It is the old doctor’s revenge,” said Hall to me one day, trying to smile, although the matter was too serious to be taken humorously. “Yes, it is his revenge, and I must admit that it is complete. The price of artemisium has fallen one-half within six months. All the efforts we have made to hold back the flood have proved useless. The secret itself is becoming public property. We shall inevitably be overwhelmed with artemisium, just as we were with gold, and the last condition of the financial world will be worse than the first.” My friend’s gloomy prognostications came near being fulfilled to the letter. Ten thousand artemisium mills shot their etheric rays upon the moon, and our unfortunate satellite’s metal ribs were stripped by atomic force. Some of the great white rays that had been one of the telescopic wonders of the lunar landscapes disappeared, and the face of the moon, which had remained unchanged before the eyes of the children of Adam from the beginning of their race, now looked as if the blast of a furnace had swept it. At night, on the moonward side, the earth was studded with brilliant spikes, all pointed at the heart of its child in the sky. But the looting of the moon brought disaster to the robber planet. So mad were the efforts to get the precious metal that the surface of our globe was fairly showered with it, productive fields were, in some cases, almost smothered under a metallic coating, the air was filled with shining dust, until finally famine and pestilence joined hands with financial disaster to punish the grasping world. Then, at last, the various governments took effective measures to protect themselves and their people. Another combined effort resulted in an international agreement whereby the production of the precious moon metal was once more rigidly controlled. But the existence of a monopoly, such as Dr. Syx had so long enjoyed, and in the enjoyment of which Andrew Hall had for a brief period succeeded him, was henceforth rendered impossible. About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Garrett Putman Serviss (2005). The Moon Metal. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved October 2022 https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/8199/pg8199-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org , located at https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html .

THE LOOTING OF THE MOON

A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book here . THE LOOTING OF ZODANGA THE LOOTING OF ZODANGA As the great gate where I stood swung open my fifty Tharks, headed by Tars Tarkas himself, rode in upon their mighty thoats. I led them to the palace walls, which I negotiated easily without assistance. Once inside, however, the gate gave me considerable trouble, but I finally was rewarded by seeing it swing upon its huge hinges, and soon my fierce escort was riding across the gardens of the jeddak of Zodanga. As we approached the palace I could see through the great windows of the first floor into the brilliantly illuminated audience chamber of Than Kosis. The immense hall was crowded with nobles and their women, as though some important function was in progress. There was not a guard in sight without the palace, due, I presume, to the fact that the city and palace walls were considered impregnable, and so I came close and peered within. At one end of the chamber, upon massive golden thrones encrusted with diamonds, sat Than Kosis and his consort, surrounded by officers and dignitaries of state. Before them stretched a broad aisle lined on either side with soldiery, and as I looked there entered this aisle at the far end of the hall, the head of a procession which advanced to the foot of the throne. First there marched four officers of the jeddak’s Guard bearing a huge salver on which reposed, upon a cushion of scarlet silk, a great golden chain with a collar and padlock at each end. Directly behind these officers came four others carrying a similar salver which supported the magnificent ornaments of a prince and princess of the reigning house of Zodanga. At the foot of the throne these two parties separated and halted, facing each other at opposite sides of the aisle. Then came more dignitaries, and the officers of the palace and of the army, and finally two figures entirely muffled in scarlet silk, so that not a feature of either was discernible. These two stopped at the foot of the throne, facing Than Kosis. When the balance of the procession had entered and assumed their stations Than Kosis addressed the couple standing before him. I could not hear his words, but presently two officers advanced and removed the scarlet robe from one of the figures, and I saw that Kantos Kan had failed in his mission, for it was Sab Than, Prince of Zodanga, who stood revealed before me. Than Kosis now took a set of the ornaments from one of the salvers and placed one of the collars of gold about his son’s neck, springing the padlock fast. After a few more words addressed to Sab Than he turned to the other figure, from which the officers now removed the enshrouding silks, disclosing to my now comprehending view Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium. The object of the ceremony was clear to me; in another moment Dejah Thoris would be joined forever to the Prince of Zodanga. It was an impressive and beautiful ceremony, I presume, but to me it seemed the most fiendish sight I had ever witnessed, and as the ornaments were adjusted upon her beautiful figure and her collar of gold swung open in the hands of Than Kosis I raised my long-sword above my head, and, with the heavy hilt, I shattered the glass of the great window and sprang into the midst of the astonished assemblage. With a bound I was on the steps of the platform beside Than Kosis, and as he stood riveted with surprise I brought my long-sword down upon the golden chain that would have bound Dejah Thoris to another. In an instant all was confusion; a thousand drawn swords menaced me from every quarter, and Sab Than sprang upon me with a jeweled dagger he had drawn from his nuptial ornaments. I could have killed him as easily as I might a fly, but the age-old custom of Barsoom stayed my hand, and grasping his wrist as the dagger flew toward my heart I held him as though in a vise and with my long-sword pointed to the far end of the hall. “Zodanga has fallen,” I cried. “Look!” All eyes turned in the direction I had indicated, and there, forging through the portals of the entranceway rode Tars Tarkas and his fifty warriors on their great thoats. A cry of alarm and amazement broke from the assemblage, but no word of fear, and in a moment the soldiers and nobles of Zodanga were hurling themselves upon the advancing Tharks. Thrusting Sab Than headlong from the platform, I drew Dejah Thoris to my side. Behind the throne was a narrow doorway and in this Than Kosis now stood facing me, with drawn long-sword. In an instant we were engaged, and I found no mean antagonist. As we circled upon the broad platform I saw Sab Than rushing up the steps to aid his father, but, as he raised his hand to strike, Dejah Thoris sprang before him and then my sword found the spot that made Sab Than jeddak of Zodanga. As his father rolled dead upon the floor the new jeddak tore himself free from Dejah Thoris’ grasp, and again we faced each other. He was soon joined by a quartet of officers, and, with my back against a golden throne, I fought once again for Dejah Thoris. I was hard pressed to defend myself and yet not strike down Sab Than and, with him, my last chance to win the woman I loved. My blade was swinging with the rapidity of lightning as I sought to parry the thrusts and cuts of my opponents. Two I had disarmed, and one was down, when several more rushed to the aid of their new ruler, and to avenge the death of the old. With my back against a golden throne, I fought once again for Dejah Thoris. As they advanced there were cries of “The woman! The woman! Strike her down; it is her plot. Kill her! Kill her!” Calling to Dejah Thoris to get behind me I worked my way toward the little doorway back of the throne, but the officers realized my intentions, and three of them sprang in behind me and blocked my chances for gaining a position where I could have defended Dejah Thoris against an army of swordsmen. The Tharks were having their hands full in the center of the room, and I began to realize that nothing short of a miracle could save Dejah Thoris and myself, when I saw Tars Tarkas surging through the crowd of pygmies that swarmed about him. With one swing of his mighty longsword he laid a dozen corpses at his feet, and so he hewed a pathway before him until in another moment he stood upon the platform beside me, dealing death and destruction right and left. The bravery of the Zodangans was awe-inspiring, not one attempted to escape, and when the fighting ceased it was because only Tharks remained alive in the great hall, other than Dejah Thoris and myself. Sab Than lay dead beside his father, and the corpses of the flower of Zodangan nobility and chivalry covered the floor of the bloody shambles. My first thought when the battle was over was for Kantos Kan, and leaving Dejah Thoris in charge of Tars Tarkas I took a dozen warriors and hastened to the dungeons beneath the palace. The jailers had all left to join the fighters in the throne room, so we searched the labyrinthine prison without opposition. I called Kantos Kan’s name aloud in each new corridor and compartment, and finally I was rewarded by hearing a faint response. Guided by the sound, we soon found him helpless in a dark recess. He was overjoyed at seeing me, and to know the meaning of the fight, faint echoes of which had reached his prison cell. He told me that the air patrol had captured him before he reached the high tower of the palace, so that he had not even seen Sab Than. We discovered that it would be futile to attempt to cut away the bars and chains which held him prisoner, so, at his suggestion I returned to search the bodies on the floor above for keys to open the padlocks of his cell and of his chains. Fortunately among the first I examined I found his jailer, and soon we had Kantos Kan with us in the throne room. The sounds of heavy firing, mingled with shouts and cries, came to us from the city’s streets, and Tars Tarkas hastened away to direct the fighting without. Kantos Kan accompanied him to act as guide, the green warriors commencing a thorough search of the palace for other Zodangans and for loot, and Dejah Thoris and I were left alone. She had sunk into one of the golden thrones, and as I turned to her she greeted me with a wan smile. “Was there ever such a man!” she exclaimed. “I know that Barsoom has never before seen your like. Can it be that all Earth men are as you? Alone, a stranger, hunted, threatened, persecuted, you have done in a few short months what in all the past ages of Barsoom no man has ever done: joined together the wild hordes of the sea bottoms and brought them to fight as allies of a red Martian people.” “The answer is easy, Dejah Thoris,” I replied smiling. “It was not I who did it, it was love, love for Dejah Thoris, a power that would work greater miracles than this you have seen.” A pretty flush overspread her face and she answered, “You may say that now, John Carter, and I may listen, for I am free.” “And more still I have to say, ere it is again too late,” I returned. “I have done many strange things in my life, many things that wiser men would not have dared, but never in my wildest fancies have I dreamed of winning a Dejah Thoris for myself—for never had I dreamed that in all the universe dwelt such a woman as the Princess of Helium. That you are a princess does not abash me, but that you are you is enough to make me doubt my sanity as I ask you, my princess, to be mine.” “He does not need to be abashed who so well knew the answer to his plea before the plea were made,” she replied, rising and placing her dear hands upon my shoulders, and so I took her in my arms and kissed her. And thus in the midst of a city of wild conflict, filled with the alarms of war; with death and destruction reaping their terrible harvest around her, did Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, true daughter of Mars, the God of War, promise herself in marriage to John Carter, Gentleman of Virginia. About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Edgar Rice Burroughs (1993). A Princess of Mars. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved October 2022 https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/62/pg62-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org , located at https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html .

THE LOOTING OF ZODANGA

Introduction I’ve only been in Web3 for about a year now, but I can honestly say that NFTs are the most exciting aspect about it for me. I’m not talking about Apes or Punks, however. PFP (profile picture) projects and art, although cool and a simple proof of concept for the technology, won’t create a better world. Instead, I’m excited about the actual utility of NFTs. Allowing gamers to own their assets, delivering fair royalty commissions to musicians and artists, and making concert tickets impossible to scalp while providing a sweet digital memento are some of the use cases I find interesting. However, building and interacting with NFTs aren’t always the easiest thing to do. As developers, we need clear resources to build projects effectively in order to give our users a better experience. I recently heard about , so I thought I would check it out and see how it could improve my development workflow. In this article, I will explore the capabilities of Infura’s NFT API and test it out using a Lootbox NFT sample project from Infura’s Github. Infura’s private beta for their NFT API What is the Infura NFT API? According to on Infura’s website, the NFT API will help me “accelerate my time to value” and allow me to interact with anything related to NFTs through a convenient SDK. In addition, I can build and verify my NFTs, create metadata templates and easily mint NFTs. So my first impression is that I can start creating and interacting with NFTs using API endpoints rather than building smart contracts and deploying them. this blog post Sounds pretty useful! And I’m all for testing any tool that will help improve my development processes. Infura’s NFT API suite seems helpful for any dev transitioning from Web2, since you can run API endpoints without Solidity. Now let’s dive deeper and see what this NFT API is capable of. Infura NFT API Capabilities A quick glance through the on Infura’s website proves my first impression correct. I will be able to deploy and call methods on my NFT contracts using Infura’s API endpoints, without having to actually write the smart contract code. This is a huge time saver! NFT API documentation is straightforward. I create the NFT metadata in JSON format, in another Infura project, then create a simple deployment script and run it with node. I also have to make a file to hold some environment variables. My deployment script ends up looking something like this: Deploying a contract upload the metadata to IPFS .env import { config as loadEnv } from 'dotenv';
import { SDK, Auth, TEMPLATES } from '@infura/sdk';

loadEnv();

const auth = new Auth({
      projectId: process.env.INFURA_PROJECT_ID,
      secretId: process.env.INFURA_PROJECT_SECRET,
      privateKey: process.env.WALLET_PRIVATE_KEY,
      chainId: 4,
    });

const sdk = new SDK(auth);

const myNFTContract = await sdk.deploy({
   template: TEMPLATES.ERC721Mintable,
   params: {
     name: 'My NFT Contract',
     symbol: 'MYNFT',
     contractURI: 'https://MY_NFT_METADATA_URL',
   },
 });
console.log(`Contract address is: ${myNFTContract.contractAddress}`); Then, I run it with Node. Infura creates a smart contract for me and uploads it to Ethereum behind the scenes. After that, I just need to make sure I have some tokens for whichever I have specified in my code. In this case, the Rinkeby testnet (chainId: 4). From here, I could from this contract or gather the contract metadata. chainId mint NFTs This is a much easier method to create an NFT contract than writing Solidity code and deploying it myself! The NFT API also provides methods for from wallets, from one wallet to another, and a host of other . These include , , and . gathering NFT info transferring NFTs NFT methods adding an address to the minter list setting royalty info changing the contract URI Overall, it seems that Infura’s NFT API indeed helps improve my development workflow. Having all the necessary functionality for building and interacting with NFTs packaged together in an easy-to-use SDK is quite convenient! But enough about what it can do, let’s see how this API works! The Lootbox Project Along with the NFT API, Infura released an to demo its capabilities. All I will have to do is input an Infura project ID and secret, then connect my MetaMask wallet to the dapp frontend. Then the dapp uses the API to fetch all my NFTs to display nicely in the frontend. So to break that down, I will need the following things for this project: NFT Gallery Project on their Github An Infura account Infura Project ID and Secret A with NFTs in it MetaMask wallet extension Let’s get started! Step 1 - The Infura Project ID and Secret Before starting the Lootbox project, I want to gather the necessary items. So first, I’ll head to , log in, and create a new project. Then, I can grab the and for use later. infura.io Project ID Project Secret Step 2 - MetaMask This step will be quick because I already have the extension installed in my browser. If someone following along with this article doesn’t, however, head to and the extension for your specific browser. Then follow the steps to create a new account. metamask.io download Next, I’ll sign in and switch accounts to the wallet address that holds my NFTs. If you need to acquire an NFT, you can head to and buy one or try to create one yourself using the Infura NFT API 😉. Either way, you will need some ETH in your wallet. your favorite marketplace Step 3 - Setting Up The Project With all the prep work out of the way, I can start building the project. So next, I’ll clone the project repo onto my local machine. I’ll first navigate to the folder I want to work out of and then type the following command: git clone https://github.com/INFURA/nft-api-lootbox-gallery-app.git Next, I will change directories into the project folder and install dependencies using : yarn cd nft-api-lootbox-gallery-app
yarn After everything is installed, the last thing I need to do is create a file to store my environment variables and secrets. I’ll just copy the file that’s already there and add my variables to it. .env cp .env .env.local Now I’ll open up the project and add my and from my recently created Infura project. There’s also an option to input the Account Address of any wallet to view their NFTs, but I’ve got my own I want to see in the Lootbox NFT Gallery. Project ID Project Secret With all the setup out of the way, I can finally run the Lootbox project. But first, I want to browse through the code to see what’s happening under the hood. Step 4 - The Lootbox Code Based on the of the Lootbox project, the most important components are in the , , and files. So I’m going to browse those and see if I can figure out how this project uses the Infura NFT API. README file pages/index.tsx hooks/useWallet.ts pages/api/assets.ts After looking through these files, I can see the file contains the code which displays the frontend for the project. If the state variable is true, then it should display my NFTs. If it’s false, then it should display the welcome text with the button. This Connect Wallet button connects to some functions in the file, so I’ll check there next. pages/index.tsx showGallery Connect Wallet hooks/useWallet.ts In the file, I can see the function which is supposed to grab my NFTs. Specifically, the function. hooks/useWallet.ts getTokens const getTokens = async (accountAddress: string) => {
    try {
      const { data } = await axios.post('/api/assets', { accountAddress });
      return data.assets;
    } catch (error) {
      setTimeout(() => {
        setErrorMessage('Error getting tokens');
      }, 2000);
      return;
    }
  }; This function seems to make a POST request using a parameter from the file and return the results with my assets. So looking into the file, I can see where the NFT API is being used. /api/assets pages/api/assets.ts try {
    const { data } = await axios.get(  `https://nft.api.infura.io/networks/1/accounts/${accountAddress}/assets/nfts`,
      {
        headers: {},
        auth: {
          username: `${process.env.INFURA_PROJECT_ID}`,
          password: `${process.env.INFURA_PROJECT_SECRET}`
        }
      }
    );

    return res.status(200).json({
      assets: data.assets,
    }); This code calls the , using my and to access my account, and returns my NFTs in a JSON object. Following the path back to the file, if the function from doesn’t timeout, it will return my NFTs, switch the state variable to , and display my NFTs on the page. get function of the NFT API Infura Project ID Project Secret pages/index.tsx getTokens hooks/useWallet.ts setGallery true Cool! So I’ve got an idea of how it works, let’s see it in action! Step 5 - Running The Lootbox Project To run the project locally, I just need to type: yarn dev After navigating to , I can see a nice-looking frontend for the Lootbox Project. http://localhost:3000/ Clicking on prompts my MetaMask wallet to pop up to approve the connection request. Connect Wallet After connecting, it immediately starts fetching my tokens. This is the point where I now know the dapp is using the NFT API. Once the fetch is successful, it displays my NFTs in a fancy gallery, allowing me to browse and choose each one to get a better look at them. Neat! Conclusion My verdict on the Infura NFT API is that it's a tool that cuts down my development time, and there’s quite a bit I can do with it. It’s handy to build, mint, and interact with NFTs from an easy-to-use API. Although I am more familiar with building NFT contracts with Solidity and deploying them with Truffle, I can easily see how this would help smooth the transition of a Web2 dev into Web3. Using JavaScript rather than writing a smart contract will be a huge time saver for many Web2 developers. I would suggest trying the NFT API out for yourself. It’s still in private beta, but anyone can . For more information on its capabilities, you can check out or . register this YouTube demo Infura’s documentation Also published . here

Using Infura's NFT API With Lootbox

Web3 Gaming is developing fast, but limitations such as isolated in-game economies and single-use NFTs restrict its full potential. Eldarune — a multi-faceted gaming ecosystem with average monthly transactions of over 100,000 — seems to break down these barriers and promote a more all-encompassing experience. Eldarune is the biggest Turkish Web3 gaming project that has the most advanced technology in the Web3 gaming market to date. The studio was conceived in Seedify, a Web3 gaming-focused incubator and launchpad, and has garnered the support of BNB Chain, Bybit, Decubate, Hacken, Immutable, Layer One X, and other The team behind Eldarune is based in Turkey and consists of 28 individuals, each bringing their expertise to the table.Can Picak, the CEO and project spokesperson, is a prominent industry leader with a background in Web3 gaming and blockchain marketing. He has practical experience in integrating gaming with blockchain and leveraging AI and IoT in startups. Building a Gaming Studio Powerhouse: The DIGA Labs Legacy Eldarune is a creation of DIGA Labs, a cutting-edge blockchain gaming solutions provider. Founded in 2021 by a team of passionate gamers and blockchain enthusiasts, DIGA Labs has a proven gaming industry track record and brings in software development expertise. This expertise shows that, technologically speaking, Eldarune titles are state-of-the-art. The company breaks the mold of traditional Web3 gaming, letting the players use their digital assets across multiple games. ELDA tokens and NFTs are like universal game currency, working in all their titles. This creates a connected ecosystem where all in-game efforts have real value and can be applied to different gaming experiences. ELDA Token The ELDA token is the lifeblood of the Eldarune ecosystem, powering a diverse range of in-game experiences. Players can use ELDA to access exclusive features and content, and also NFT purchases and rentals to expand their arsenals. ELDA unlocks participation in competitive activities like arena battles and tournaments – a juicy chance to win even more tokens and prestigious rewards. Players can also stake their ELDA for passive income through farming and burning mechanisms or directly invest it in powerful in-game items and character upgrades. For those eager to join the Eldarune adventure, ELDA is readily available for purchase on popular DEXs and CEXs like Bybit, MEXC, and PancakeSwap. A Universe of Games: Eldarune's Multi-Faceted Approach Eldarune is building a sprawling gaming universe that is not confined to a single blockchain. This multi-chain approach leverages the strengths of BNB Chain, Polygon, and Ethereum, creating a versatile and expansive player experience. On the 8th of April, Eldarune will also integrate Avalanche, and later, Solana will join the party. So, what is the multi-chain approach all about? Imagine playing different games where your cool sword or rare character skin follows you from one adventure to the next. That's the magic of Layer One X tech – Eldarune’s partner. It lets you trade your digital assets (tokens, NFTs, and customization items) seamlessly between their games, even if they’re on different blockchains. Simply put, you can jump between games without losing your hard-earned loot, creating a more connected experience and opening doors to potentially sweet rewards. So far, Eldarune’s universe includes four titles. World of Elymnias (WoE), an open beta idle game, lets players build empires and collect loot with minimal effort, perfect for casual sessions. Strategic minds can test their skills in the closed beta of Heroes of Eldarune (HoE), a TCG where they can build their ultimate deck and outwit opponents. Journey (open Beta) offers a captivating narrative adventure through text-based choices, allowing players to craft their own story. For the competitive crowd, ELDA RUSH, a closed alpha MOBA, is on the waitlist, promising fast-paced brawls. Eldarune's Diverse Gaming Universe: World of Elymnias (WoE) This idle game attracts over 10,000 daily active users. WoE has PvP modes where you can test your strategic prowess against other players in the arena. It is currently in open Beta, and players can download the game’s APK through the Eldarune Discord channel. Heroes of Eldarune (HoE) HoE is a TCG (Trading Card Game) with simple mechanics and user-friendly graphics. The game’s continuous development and new features are decided through collaboration with the Eldarune community and DAO. HoE is currently in the Beta stage, expected to launch in Q3 2024. Journey It is a text-based adventure game in which players explore a narrative-driven world, with over 50,000 users actively engaging in the storyline. You'll send your troops on dangerous journeys, following the narrative's twists and turns as you make choices that shape your path. Completing quests and progressing through the story unlocks valuable rewards. Eldarune Journey is in closed Beta. ELDA Rush It is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game akin to popular titles like Dota 2 and League of Legends. Assemble your team of powerful heroes, each with distinct abilities, and dive into the battlefield. ELDA Rush is currently in a closed Alpha stage with a limited player base. Players can join Eldarune's live streams to experience the game firsthand and potentially participate in the testing phase. Interoperability, Multi-Chain Dominance – and More Eldarune's true innovation lies in its interoperable NFTs and multi-chain functionality, setting it apart in the crowded Web3 gaming space. As of 2024, it delivers the most advanced technology in the market: Interoperable NFTs Players can use their acquired NFTs across all Eldarune titles. In-game NFTs in Eldarune transcend individual games, boosting their value and utility. The ability to rent or sell these NFTs on marketplaces creates a highly liquid in-game economy, allowing players to earn real-world value from their assets. Multi-Chain Gameplay Eldarune is currently operational on BNB, Polygon, and Ethereum, which is a great chance for players from different ecosystems to connect and compete. This creates a more expansive and inclusive gaming environment, attracting a wider player base. AI-powered Eldarune elevates gameplay through its AI that tailors experiences to individual players. By learning from your choices and actions, the AI personalizes the in-game world and adjusts difficulty for continued engagement. Players can train the AI and make NPCs fight alongside them in battles; AI-powered NPCs can create unique missions, and trained AI champions can be sold as NFTs. Community-focused Eldarune creates a space where players can contribute to the game's evolution. Further boosting engagement, a system of 21 seasons keeps players hooked, contributing to a sustainable and dynamic in-game economy. Gameplay Versatility Each title offers multiple modes, from conquering campaigns and exploring dungeons to battling clan bosses and testing skills in PvP arenas. This diversity ensures there's something for everyone. Accessibility is paramount, with all Eldarune games playable across browsers, mobile devices, PCs, and even consoles, allowing players to jump in anytime, anywhere. Deep Submersion Eldarune goes beyond captivating gameplay. Each title has its own immersive soundtrack album, setting a new standard for atmospheric experiences. Web3 Gaming Ecosystem That Constantly Evolves With over 20,000 unique NFT holders and the ELDA token reaching an all-time high of $0.062 in January 2024, the Eldarune ecosystem appears to be thriving. The project’s roadmap outlines a continuous development process with exciting prospects – Eldarune gears up for a busy March and April. Public Beta Testnets for both Heroes of Eldarune and Journey kick off in March, followed by exciting Public Beta Testnet Tournaments for both games in March and April. 2024 brings even more action with a free mint event on Avalanche (April 15th), Avalanche integration, L1X integration, and an Avalanche HoE Tournament. Eldarune's commitment to interoperability, multi-chain functionality, and a diverse gaming portfolio positions it as a strong contender in the Web3 gaming landscape. Even though the project is still under development, with Elda Rush and HoE yet to be fully launched, the initial games offer a glimpse into Eldarune's potential. The long-term success will hinge on the execution of the ambitious roadmap and the continuous delivery of engaging and vanward gaming experiences. This story was distributed under HackerNoon’s Brand As An Author Program. Learn more about the program here. Web3 Gaming is developing fast, but limitations such as isolated in-game economies and single-use NFTs restrict its full potential. Eldarune — a multi-faceted gaming ecosystem with average monthly transactions of over 100,000 — seems to break down these barriers and promote a more all-encompassing experience. Eldarune Eldarune Eldarune is the biggest Turkish Web3 gaming project that has the most advanced technology in the Web3 gaming market to date. The studio was conceived in Seedify , a Web3 gaming-focused incubator and launchpad, and has garnered the support of BNB Chain, Bybit, Decubate, Hacken, Immutable, Layer One X, and other Web3 gaming Seedify Seedify The team behind Eldarune is based in Turkey and consists of 28 individuals, each bringing their expertise to the table. Can Picak , the CEO and project spokesperson, is a prominent industry leader with a background in Web3 gaming and blockchain marketing. He has practical experience in integrating gaming with blockchain and leveraging AI and IoT in startups. Can Picak Can Picak Building a Gaming Studio Powerhouse: The DIGA Labs Legacy Eldarune is a creation of DIGA Labs , a cutting-edge blockchain gaming solutions provider. Founded in 2021 by a team of passionate gamers and blockchain enthusiasts, DIGA Labs has a proven gaming industry track record and brings in software development expertise. DIGA Labs DIGA Labs This expertise shows that, technologically speaking, Eldarune titles are state-of-the-art. The company breaks the mold of traditional Web3 gaming, letting the players use their digital assets across multiple games. ELDA tokens and NFTs are like universal game currency, working in all their titles. This creates a connected ecosystem where all in-game efforts have real value and can be applied to different gaming experiences. ELDA Token The ELDA token is the lifeblood of the Eldarune ecosystem, powering a diverse range of in-game experiences. Players can use ELDA to access exclusive features and content, and also NFT purchases and rentals to expand their arsenals. ELDA token ELDA token ELDA unlocks participation in competitive activities like arena battles and tournaments – a juicy chance to win even more tokens and prestigious rewards. Players can also stake their ELDA for passive income through farming and burning mechanisms or directly invest it in powerful in-game items and character upgrades. For those eager to join the Eldarune adventure, ELDA is readily available for purchase on popular DEXs and CEXs like Bybit , MEXC , and PancakeSwap . Bybit Bybit MEXC MEXC PancakeSwap PancakeSwap A Universe of Games: Eldarune's Multi-Faceted Approach Eldarune is building a sprawling gaming universe that is not confined to a single blockchain. This multi-chain approach leverages the strengths of BNB Chain, Polygon, and Ethereum, creating a versatile and expansive player experience. On the 8th of April, Eldarune will also integrate Avalanche, and later, Solana will join the party. So, what is the multi-chain approach all about? Imagine playing different games where your cool sword or rare character skin follows you from one adventure to the next. That's the magic of Layer One X tech – Eldarune’s partner . It lets you trade your digital assets (tokens, NFTs, and customization items) seamlessly between their games, even if they’re on different blockchains. Simply put, you can jump between games without losing your hard-earned loot, creating a more connected experience and opening doors to potentially sweet rewards. partner partner So far, Eldarune’s universe includes four titles. World of Elymnias (WoE), an open beta idle game, lets players build empires and collect loot with minimal effort, perfect for casual sessions. Strategic minds can test their skills in the closed beta of Heroes of Eldarune (HoE), a TCG where they can build their ultimate deck and outwit opponents. Journey (open Beta) offers a captivating narrative adventure through text-based choices, allowing players to craft their own story. For the competitive crowd, ELDA RUSH, a closed alpha MOBA, is on the waitlist, promising fast-paced brawls. Eldarune's Diverse Gaming Universe: World of Elymnias (WoE) World of Elymnias (WoE) This idle game attracts over 10,000 daily active users. WoE has PvP modes where you can test your strategic prowess against other players in the arena. It is currently in open Beta, and players can download the game’s APK through the Eldarune Discord channel . Eldarune Discord channel Eldarune Discord channel Heroes of Eldarune (HoE) Heroes of Eldarune (HoE) HoE is a TCG (Trading Card Game) with simple mechanics and user-friendly graphics. The game’s continuous development and new features are decided through collaboration with the Eldarune community and DAO. HoE is currently in the Beta stage, expected to launch in Q3 2024. Journey Journey It is a text-based adventure game in which players explore a narrative-driven world, with over 50,000 users actively engaging in the storyline. You'll send your troops on dangerous journeys, following the narrative's twists and turns as you make choices that shape your path. Completing quests and progressing through the story unlocks valuable rewards. Eldarune Journey is in closed Beta. ELDA Rush ELDA Rush It is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game akin to popular titles like Dota 2 and League of Legends. Assemble your team of powerful heroes, each with distinct abilities, and dive into the battlefield. ELDA Rush is currently in a closed Alpha stage with a limited player base. Players can join Eldarune's live streams to experience the game firsthand and potentially participate in the testing phase. Interoperability, Multi-Chain Dominance – and More Eldarune's true innovation lies in its interoperable NFTs and multi-chain functionality, setting it apart in the crowded Web3 gaming space. As of 2024, it delivers the most advanced technology in the market: Interoperable NFTs Interoperable NFTs Players can use their acquired NFTs across all Eldarune titles. In-game NFTs in Eldarune transcend individual games, boosting their value and utility. The ability to rent or sell these NFTs on marketplaces creates a highly liquid in-game economy, allowing players to earn real-world value from their assets. Multi-Chain Gameplay Multi-Chain Gameplay Eldarune is currently operational on BNB, Polygon, and Ethereum, which is a great chance for players from different ecosystems to connect and compete. This creates a more expansive and inclusive gaming environment, attracting a wider player base. AI-powered AI-powered Eldarune elevates gameplay through its AI that tailors experiences to individual players. By learning from your choices and actions, the AI personalizes the in-game world and adjusts difficulty for continued engagement. Players can train the AI and make NPCs fight alongside them in battles; AI-powered NPCs can create unique missions, and trained AI champions can be sold as NFTs. Community-focused Community-focused Eldarune creates a space where players can contribute to the game's evolution. Further boosting engagement, a system of 21 seasons keeps players hooked, contributing to a sustainable and dynamic in-game economy. Gameplay Versatility Gameplay Versatility Each title offers multiple modes, from conquering campaigns and exploring dungeons to battling clan bosses and testing skills in PvP arenas. This diversity ensures there's something for everyone. Accessibility is paramount, with all Eldarune games playable across browsers, mobile devices, PCs, and even consoles, allowing players to jump in anytime, anywhere. Deep Submersion Deep Submersion Eldarune goes beyond captivating gameplay. Each title has its own immersive soundtrack album, setting a new standard for atmospheric experiences. Web3 Gaming Ecosystem That Constantly Evolves With over 20,000 unique NFT holders and the ELDA token reaching an all-time high of $0.062 in January 2024, the Eldarune ecosystem appears to be thriving. reaching an all-time high reaching an all-time high The project’s roadmap outlines a continuous development process with exciting prospects – Eldarune gears up for a busy March and April. Public Beta Testnets for both Heroes of Eldarune and Journey kick off in March, followed by exciting Public Beta Testnet Tournaments for both games in March and April. 2024 brings even more action with a free mint event on Avalanche (April 15th), Avalanche integration, L1X integration, and an Avalanche HoE Tournament. Eldarune's commitment to interoperability, multi-chain functionality, and a diverse gaming portfolio positions it as a strong contender in the Web3 gaming landscape. Even though the project is still under development, with Elda Rush and HoE yet to be fully launched, the initial games offer a glimpse into Eldarune's potential. The long-term success will hinge on the execution of the ambitious roadmap and the continuous delivery of engaging and vanward gaming experiences. This story was distributed under HackerNoon’s Brand As An Author Program. Learn more about the program here. This story was distributed under HackerNoon’s Brand As An Author Program. Learn more about the program here . here

Eldarune: Revolutionizing Web3 Gaming with Interoperability and Multi-Chain Dominance

Eldarune: ইন্টারঅপারেবিলিটি এবং মাল্টি-চেইন আধিপত্য সহ ওয়েব3 গেমিংকে বিপ্লবী করা

Eldarune: Revolutionierung des Web3-Gamings durch Interoperabilität und Multi-Chain-Dominanz

Eldarune: revolucionando los juegos Web3 con interoperabilidad y dominio de múltiples cadenas

Eldarune : révolutionner le jeu Web3 avec l'interopérabilité et la domination multi-chaînes

एल्डारून: इंटरऑपरेबिलिटी और मल्टी-चेन प्रभुत्व के साथ वेब3 गेमिंग में क्रांति लाना

Eldarune: 相互運用性とマルチチェーン優位性で Web3 ゲームに革命を起こす

Eldarune: 상호 운용성과 다중 체인 지배력을 통해 Web3 게임에 혁명을 일으키다

Eldarune: Revolucionando os jogos Web3 com interoperabilidade e domínio multi-chain

Eldarune: революция в Web3-играх благодаря совместимости и доминированию нескольких цепочек

Eldarune: Birlikte Çalışabilirlik ve Çoklu Zincir Hakimiyeti ile Web3 Oyunlarında Devrim Yaratıyor

Eldarune: Cách mạng hóa trò chơi Web3 với khả năng tương tác và thống trị đa chuỗi

Eldarune：通过互操作性和多链主导性彻底改变 Web3 游戏

Nigeria! Giant of Africa, as she is fondly called. It is the most populous black country in the world, with over 200 million people, a teeming youth population, and . That's about 100 million, mostly tech-savvy young people all over the internet struggling to wrest some money from the famed riches of cyberspace. It's no wonder the country is well known for internet fraud, with a world-famous fraudster from Nigeria named Hushpuppi recently jailed by the US government for swindling numerous Americans off millions of hard-earned dollars. While internet fraud has cast a bad light on Nigerians online, this single story must not be allowed to take root, however, because Nigerians have also found ingenious ways to use the internet constructively with world-reaching effects. over 50% aged from 15 to 60 years For example, are well recognized in the content creation industry with many well-know ones like Mark Angel, Emmanuela, Sabinus etc. having millions of followers from around the world whom they routinely entertain. Nigerian music has also dominated the global space in recent years, with the internet playing a critical role in this rise. Nigerian music has dominated Africa since the 2010s, but recently, Nigerian artists like Burna Boy, Rhema, and Ckay have released colossal global hit songs like Last Last, Calm down, and Love Nwantiti, respectively, reaching hundreds of millions and even billions of streams. This was only made possible through online streaming and video platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and TikTok. Nigerian comedians A relatively recent technology known as cryptocurrency has hit the internet, and Nigerians have not been left behind. The country was in crypto adoption around the world. This, of course, can be traced back to the country's relatively backward financial system, with Nigeria recording numerous economic crises over the years. happened just before the 2023 elections in the country, where the Nigerian Naira was not even available for people to withdraw. Basically, there was little cash in circulation, and protests erupted in Banks, with people demanding to withdraw the money they had deposited so they could handle day-to-day expenses. This cash shortage lasted for several weeks, and millions of Nigerians began adopting alternative financial systems for Nigerian banks. Through this crisis, a little-known Crypto trader in the country known as would rise to fame and fortune by introducing an app for financial transactions that completely circumvented the Nigerian banking system. Blord would also go on to introduce a crypto exchange company called Blord Group in the country to convert cryptocurrency to Naira. Many Nigerians adopted Cryptocurrency during this financial crisis. recently ranked second A particularly crazy financial crisis Blord What you should know about Nigeria is that even though it is a very gifted country with lots of natural and human resources, it is run by a very corrupt government with notable ethnic biases. This has created widespread poverty in the country, with most of the gigantic 200 million people in the country left to fend for themselves anyhow they can. But the youths have taken up Agency as autonomous individuals battling against classist and ethnic divides, plus a corrupt, powerful government with dictatorial tendencies to create comfortable lives for themselves as sovereign entities who would not meekly surrender to a British-imposed country that seems determined to keep them down. This Nigerian dream has united beautifully with the vision of cryptocurrency, which basically serves as a democratized financial system that will create a level playing field for anyone around the world to make money. This article dives deeper into the possible role of autonomy, Crypto, and DAOs in getting Nigerians out of poverty. Tribalism and Classism in the Nigerian Government Nigeria is a multi-ethnic country with about 250 different ethnic groups. However, there are three main ethnic groups by population: the Hausa-Fulani in the Northwest, the Yoruba in the South West, and the Igbo in the South East. These three ethnic groups have dominated the government of the country since it gained independence from the British in 1960. However, was fought in 1967, with the Igbo of the Eastern region trying to break away from the country due to an ethnic crisis. The Igbo lost the war and have never produced a president to date, with the Mostly Muslim Hausa Fulani dominating the government at that time. Hence, there's a lot of ethnic discrimination in Nigerian politics with the Igbo, who number up to 40 million, and other Christian groups, with tens of millions of people mostly kept away from the presidency of what is supposed to be a democratic country. This discrimination in government has far-reaching economic impacts as the government of the day often favors their region in resource distribution. So, Nigerian Christians are often at a political disadvantage. a bloody civil war Classism is another major factor in Nigerian politics, with the mega-rich corrupting the voting system with their money and routinely rigging elections to maintain their hold on power and maltreat the poor (who are the majority) however they see fit. Hence, poor people in Nigeria who bear the brunt of the suffering hardly have a way to fix the country since their votes may not even count. This has led to a lot of crime around the country, with fraudsters, kidnappers, cultists, and sex workers being rampant. Nigerian Government Versus Autonomy The , through a federal system like the American government with executive, legislative, and Judiciary, does not practice true federalism. Simply put, the executive, who is led by the president, is too powerful, and through widespread corruption, they can control the lawmakers and judiciary, who are supposed to checkmate their excesses. This is also true for the state and local governments, who are often arm-twisted into doing the will of the federal government because the federal government has overall control of resources in the country. Hence, the Nigerian government is often anti-autonomy! Nigerian government Many groups have risen in the country to demand more autonomy and resource control at the regional level, but the federal government usually puts them down by force. This is mostly against the will of the people who always find ways to fight against the tyrannical control of the federal government. Basically, Nigerians want more autonomy to utilize their resources for a better life, as the federal government doesn't seem capable of delivering basic amenities like good roads, running water, and electricity. This has remained a constant cause of conflict in the country, with many lives lost. Nigerian Government Versus Wealthy Citizens As with any tyrannical system, the government in Nigeria seems determined to keep the people poor; hence, they are unable to fight for their rights. This is more rampant in the North, where despite hundreds of millions of Naira being allocated to education yearly. [Nigerian minimum wage](https://nigerian minimum wage), as at the time of this writing, is a meager 30,000 Naira (about $22) for a full month. That's way below the minimum wage in most countries and has made Nigeria a poor country for about a hundred years of its existence now. This is, of course, a deliberate act of corrupt politicians who prefer to cart away huge sums of money from budget allocations while leaving the people to fight for scraps. Hence, the people are kept poor and uneducated, so they can't really do much against these wealthy leaders who keep impoverishing them. A wealthy, educated population will, of course, be quite difficult to swindle as you please. millions of children are out of school Nigerian Government Versus the Internet During the Coronavirus crisis, Nigerians were locked up at home like others around the world, and palliatives released by international groups to ease the suffering of Nigerians were hoarded in several warehouses instead of being distributed to the people. Also, police personnel in the SARS unit went on a rampage, harassing tech-savvy Nigerian youths who were making money from the internet as fraudsters without much investigation. Nigerian youths responded by protesting on Twitter using hashtags and proceeded to coordinate themselves and break the curfew into a real Nationwide Street protest that came to be known as the #endsars protest. Millions of Nigerian youths took to the streets around the country and gained global coverage. Also, secessionist groups like , who were clamoring to break away from Nigeria, used online platforms like Facebook and Twitter to gather and communicate with millions of followers. The Nigerian government then effectively responded by banning Twitter in the country but soon canceled the ban after it failed, as citizens were using VPN apps to circumvent the ban. Hence, the Nigerian government has tyrannically tried to suppress the internet in Nigeria without regard for the millions of people who have found employment online. IPOB Nigerian Government Versus Crypto Expectedly, the Nigerian government has not reacted very well to Cryptocurrency technology in the country, though the people have welcomed the decentralized finance system with open arms. in the country as the government tries very hard to clamp down on global crypto agencies like Binance. Even the earlier mentioned millionaire crypto trader in the country (Blord) was arrested and charged with internet fraud even though he was able to come out victorious. The government predictably hates Crypto as they can't really control it. They complain that terrorists and fraudsters use Crypto for financial transactions though they've not really done much about the corrupt politicians who use the actual banking system in the country to loot Country funds. Crypto has created jobs for many Nigerian youths who work online as crypto traders, forex traders, software developers, writers, content creators, etc., and earn decent wages from foreign customers. Crypto has been banned, unbanned, and banned again The Role of Autonomy, Cryptocurrency, and Daos in Potentially Lifting Nigerians From Poverty With the country divided between several tribes and two major religions (Christianity and Islam), tribal and religious sentiments have often been used by malicious politicians to keep Nigerians fighting against each other and refuse to unite in fighting against the corrupt leaders who are the real problem. Tribal and religious crises often mar Nigerian elections to the benefit of politicians who capitalize on such crises to rig elections and discriminate in government. Also, leaders who steal often defend their tribesmen from anybody who may try to prosecute them. This is a huge problem in the country, with many jobs and industries often being based on tribe instead of qualification. Autonomy: To solve this fundamental problem, Nigerians must start thinking of themselves first as individuals instead of as members of a tribe or religion. They must prioritize their welfare as citizens in voting and making other electoral and job related decisions in order to get competent leaders and office holders who will transform the country. Regional autonomy must be prioritized over the current seemingly unworkable "federal system" which has only created much infighting. Autonomy is critical to the development of Nigeria! When Satoshi Nakamoto released Bitcoin, he was trying to create a decentralized financial system that would make financial opportunities fairly available to everyone around the world instead of to just a few members of the elite class who capitalized on the unfair legacy centralized system to get ahead of the rest of the population. Such a system is sorely needed in Nigeria, where inequality is even worse from widespread poverty and illiteracy. Many Nigerians use mobile phones, and with a little knowledge of Cryptocurrency, they can invest and get out of poverty without having to depend on a government that doesn't really seem to care about them. Cryptocurrency: Cryptocurrency could be the best opportunity for Nigerians to benefit from the financial system. Many Nigerians have never really experienced a free and fair election in their lifetime. This is due to widespread electoral malpractice that seems to have become the norm. Just like Twitter, which provides a global voice for the Nigerian people, which the government cannot forcefully shut down, DAOs will provide an even more decentralized platform for Nigerians to unite, organize, plan, and execute digital infrastructure for the good of the country. DAOs will allow Nigerians to practice democracy and governance in a free and safe virtual environment for education and networking purposes. Also, DAOs will allow Nigerians to influence the development of Web 3 to enable the developers to come up with software that is better suited to the Nigerian environment. DAOs: DAOs will provide a more sophisticated, unstoppable cyber voice for Nigerians around the world. Conclusion Nigerians have been held down by a corrupt, tyrannical government that seemingly would prefer to keep the people divided, poor, and uneducated. However, the Web 3 vision of democratizing the Internet and financial system is in complete opposition to such a system. With crypto concepts like autonomy, individualism, and sovereignty encapsulated in DAOs, Nigerians have a global technological movement they can leverage to come out of the country's economic crisis. is a groundbreaking DAO technology that Nigerians (and anyone around the world) can use to opt out of a corrupt leadership system that doesn't really represent them. Auth Labs

Empowering Nigeria With Web3: Exploring Autonomy, Cryptocurrency, and DAOs as Pathways to Prosperity

As part of my job search, I'm being introduced to a new language: Python. As the proud owner of a primate brain on the one hand, I'm well aware of the power that , in the context of learning, can have on me. gamification As a technophile on the other, I couldn't miss the emergence of artificial intelligence tools, notably the conversational AI phenomenon that is ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI. How can ChatGPT help me discover Python while making the experience as fun as possible? FROM ChatGPT - the Generalist TO ChatRPG - the Python Expert Although powerful, ChatGPT is even more so when subjected to . So, I've defined how I want ChatGPT to take charge of training me in Python, following a certain formalism to give it as much as possible: role-playing context The role of the AI: ChatGPT will be a Python expert with a strong propensity for teaching. What I expect from the AI: ChatGPT will have to introduce me to the most common syntax and methods of the Python language. The method: in order to achieve this, I want ChatGPT to propose a series of exercises, I'll tell it I have a certain amount of knowledge (JS), and I'll ask it to provide me with external documentation so that I can explore the notions that I am learning further (and, moreover, it will allow me to check that ChatGPT isn't fooling me). The way: finally, I introduce the notion of gamification of my learning, specifying my minimum expectations on this subject: (RPG, Mage, notion of XP). Become a Powerful Mage Initially, ChatGPT provided me with a series of "exercises"; even though it's called that, it's nothing more than code extracts enabling me to grasp the basics of Python syntax. As agreed, he provided me with documentation, gave me experience so that I could level up, and listed the skills acquired during this first phase. Having reached Level 7, I asked ChatGPT to provide me with a more substantial challenge than simply copying code into my IDE. Notice how OpenAI doubts my kindness when I ask ChatGPT to kick some ugly monsters in the teeth. After having been congratulated on my perspicacity facing this first boss, which I easily swept aside, and then provided with a new code-copying "exercise", I had to face my . first real challenges OMG, The Data Dragon! Unimpressed by the enemy, and helped by good , I naturally . documentation slaughtered the hot breathed creature This is where learning via conversational AI makes sense. ChatGPT is capable of providing an while between the two proposals. We'll see a little later that it's capable of being even more complete when it comes to analyzing the code I propose. alternative solution explaining the difference The other advantage is the ease with which you can "shape" the conversation. This way, I was able to obtain an Artifact, and that's . dopamine directly in the veins Yeah I claimed, so what?!? A bit of lore, it's always nice. The Pythonic Monster! After a new series of exercises/lessons, a few questions about instruction 'with', a little challenge on how to throw exceptions, some article reading, and a lot of leveling-up; I asked to take on a . ChatGPT offered me a multi-stage challenge (a succession of small algorithmic problems), with the promise of a chest full of well-deserved loot : new monster Once again, ChatGPT provides a and is complete enough to demonstrate the advantages of its solution over mine. quality correction What's more, I got a really cool amulet! Make ChatRPG Even More RPGed With an MCQ At this stage of my discovery of Python with ChatGPT, I thought it would be a good idea to check that I'd acquired the concepts I'd seen previously. So I asked the AI to generate an MCQ for me, which I included in an encounter with an NPC (non-player character), with the promise of being rewarded with a if I succeeded. familiar So, after answering the questions of a (probably Gandalf undercover), I was able to choose a companion for the rest of my adventure. strange but clever peasant Aware that I sometimes find it difficult to and my code, I've chosen to fight my next battles alongside the Shadowstalker. The beast has a whole arsenal of techniques that will enable me to be more efficient in the future. factor optimize ChatGPT lets me apply a different reading to my code I've identified beforehand! So, I can ask for specific feedback without having to define what kind of feedback I need. according to the needs Here, for example, is the first of the techniques applied to a problem I was given on a quest further along my initiatory journey: the aim of the problem was to generate all the prime numbers up to the number entered by the user. It's got style! Conclusion Considering what I already knew about ChatGPT, the AI has lived up to my expectations regarding its ability to support the discovery of a new programming language. I was, however, very enthusiastic about its ability to bring a gamification layer to the process. Here, in no particular order, is a list of the pros and cons I encountered during my experience: Pros: Quick and easy to set up. Adaptable over time. Satisfactory progress overview. Lore is ok. Ability to correct behavior that doesn't meet your expectations. Possibility of re-launching the latest ChatGPT contribution if it doesn't suit you. "Wow, it can do that ?!" effect. Cons: Commits a few errors and inaccuracies: for example, the first version of the MCQ included a question to which no answer could be given. Requires reminders from time to time: "Don't forget to provide me with documentation", "give out rewards for success", "you must include my progress in the general Lore of our conversation", etc. A few tips if you want to try out this way of learning: Don't use this method on a subject you don't know too much about! If ChatGPT makes a mistake or lies to you, you won't know. Give it as clear and precise information as possible. Don't give it too many instructions at once. At the end of my experiment, I tried to automate the way it generates learning and challenge phases, in a prompt of around thirty lines and with sometimes complex instructions. The result? I broke everything! Nothing beats the expertise of a human being! Pedagogy is a virtue that's reserved for us, the machine is currently unable to appreciate precisely what a student needs to get the most out of what he/she's learning. If you want to be trained in the best possible conditions, call a professional. Bonus I asked ChatGPT to provide me with prompts to generate images using . Stable Diffusion ChatGPT : He's not wrong. What about ? Vast subject. copyright management for artists present in datasets used to train models Thanks!

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To the woke-liberal lot, any assertion that India was once the richest country in the world will evoke hysterical laughter and probably a familiar jibe that it was impossible for India to ever have been the proverbial (golden bird). soney ki chidya But facts speak otherwise. India was indisputably the largest economy in the world between the first century AD and the seventeenth century AD accounting for one-third or one-fourth of global wealth. India’s GDP in 1700, in terms of 1990 international dollars was $90,750 as compared to $82,800 of China’s and $83,395 for the whole of Western Europe. Considering that the world GDP in that year was $371,369, India’s share of the global economy was an astounding 24.43%.[1] What Caused the Downfall? From a high of more than 24% of the world economy in 1700 to 4% of global GDP at the end of British rule, India’s fall from its preeminent position at the top to the very bottom was a direct consequence of the pernicious impact of colonial rule. Britain’s rise to be the largest empire ever known to mankind occurred during the course of its 200-year rule in India and was financed by the wholesale looting of India and the asset stripping of its economy. It is not surprising that the Hindi word loot meaning large-scale theft, made its way to the English language. Evidence of that loot can still be found in the museums, private collections, and imperial treasury of modern Britain. The most emblematic of this is the famed diamond. Kohinoor So thoroughly did the British devastate and enervate the Indian economy that even today, seventy-six years after independence, large numbers of its people suffer from poverty, lack of access to clean drinking water, access to healthcare, and education. That is not to take away from the vast change that has come over the country, which is now acknowledged as a global economic power boasting the fifth largest economy in the world having overtaken its erstwhile colonial master Britain. It has seen the emergence of a 432 million strong middle class (2020-21 figures) which is expected to hit 1.66 billion in 2047.[2] Creditably as many as 415 million people were lifted out of poverty in 15 years between 2005 and 2021[3]. India is a technology and space powerhouse that commands global respect for its accomplishments. Its diaspora has reached every part of the globe with people of Indian origin reaching the highest positions in corporations and governments of some of the leading first world nations. India also has a sizeable military that acts as a force of global stability-something that was evidenced by India’s naval operations against international pirates in the Red Sea region. Can India Become the Richest Country in the World Again? At a time when most people in the world expect China to replace the US as the numero uno nation, it is important to remember that India was largely a bigger economy of the two in the years leading up to the colonial era. Given the slew of recent bad news trickling out of China, in terms of its collapsing demographics and slowing down industries, India, which is the fastest-growing large economy in the world with a much younger demographic profile, stands a good chance of racing ahead in the not-so-distant future. India is one of the very few countries in the world that not only grows enough food to feed its own people, but also export it. Besides, its geographical position that allows it to straddle the important sea routes that pass below its peninsula means that it will never be vulnerable when it comes to sourcing its energy supplies. What do the facts state? An Ernst and Young report suggests that India could become a $26 trillion economy by 2047, boasting a per capita income of more than $15000 by then. [4] Goldman Sachs, on the other hand, predicts that India will become the world’s second-largest economy by 2075, overtaking the US in the process.[5] A study by Citi Group actually expects India to be the largest economy in the world by 2050 with an $85.97 trillion GDP by Purchasing Power Parity, followed by China at $80.02 trillion and the US at $39.07 trillion. That will translate to a per capita income of more than $50,000 per capita income considering the nation’s population to be 1.63 billion.[6] Will India do it? It’s not going to be easy. But it has done it in the past and held on to that position for a millennium and a half. It is said that what goes around comes around. It is India’s time now. Let it rise and rise. [1] https://cgijeddah.gov.in/web_files/267622636-History-of-Indian-Economy.pdf [2] https://www.business-standard.com/economy/news/indian-middle-class-will-nearly-double-to-61-by-2046-47-price-report-123070500864_1.html [3] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/415-million-people-exited-poverty-in-india-in-15-years-un-report/articleshow/101678289.cms [4] https://assets.ey.com/content/dam/ey-sites/ey-com/en_in/topics/india-at-100/2023/01/ey-india-at-100-executive-summary.pdf [5] https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/10/india-to-become-worlds-second-largest-economy-by-2075-goldman-sachs.html [6] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/et-commentary/with-85-trillion-how-india-can-become-worlds-largest-economy/articleshow/10699821.cms

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