BitcoinPorn (OP)
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October 03, 2011, 07:23:25 PM |
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![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.npr.org%2Fassets%2Fimg%2F2011%2F10%2F03%2Fbitcoin_badge.jpg%3Ft%3D1317660371%26s%3D3&t=665&c=dxBoOKDLXhCbng) In 2009, a programmer who called himself "Satoshi Nakamoto" created bitcoin. The virtual currency took off, but Satoshi's identity has remained a mystery.
The journalist Joshua Davis tries to track down Satoshi in an article (subscription req'd) in this week's New Yorker.
Whoever created bitcoin, it's clear that he (or she, or they) is/are a very clever coder with a deep understanding of cryptography.
An expert tells the New Yorker writer that someone with Satoshi's skills would probably be at Crypto2011, the most important cryptography conference. The writer also notes that Satoshi typically uses British (rather than American) spellings.
So he narrows the field to people from the UK at Crypto2011. He finds one compelling candidate: A guy named Michael Clear.
After I read the article this morning, I called Gavin Andresen, a programmer who has done a lot of work on bitcoin, and who we talked to at length when we did a bitcoin story earlier this year.
I asked Gavin if Michael Clear is Satoshi.
"I have no idea," Gavin told me. "It could be."
Clear was named the top computer-science undergrad at Trinity College in Dublin in 2008. He worked for Allied Irish Banks to improve its currency-trading software in 2009. Also that year, he co-wrote a paper on peer-to-peer technology. (Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer system.)
So Davis, the author of the New Yorker story, emails Clear.
"I like to keep a low profile," Clear replies. "I'm curious to know how you found me."
Davis eventually cuts to the chase:
Finally, I asked, "Are you Satoshi?"
He laughed, but didn't respond. There was an awkward silence.
"If you like, I'd be happy to review the design for you," he offered instead. "I could let you know what I think."
"Sure," I said hesitantly. "Do you need me to send you a link to the code?"
"I think I can find it," he said.
In the end, Clear says he's not the guy — but his denial leaves the door open just a crack:
"I'm not Satoshi," Clear said. "But even if I was I wouldn't tell you."
One other interesting detail: Clear says the bitcoin code is good, but there are some weaknesses. Users store their bitcoins in virtual wallets; the system should automatically provide encryption software to secure those virtual wallets, Clear says.
I didn't bring this detail up when I talked to Gavin today. But when I asked him about news from the bitcoin world, he told me that the latest version of the bitcoin software includes wallet encryption. - From NPR http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2011/10/03/141011155/did-a-reporter-just-solve-the-bitcoin-mystery from /r/Bitcoin/ http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/kzmpj/did_a_reporter_just_solve_a_bitcoin_mystery/
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bulanula
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October 03, 2011, 07:28:07 PM |
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Holy cow ! This is huge news. I feel Jesus has descended amongst us !!! No, really ![Grin](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/grin.gif)
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S3052
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October 03, 2011, 07:32:48 PM |
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wow! so what it the truth now? is Clear Satoshi or not?
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DeathAndTaxes
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Gerald Davis
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October 03, 2011, 07:34:24 PM |
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Awesome for Clear to not provide any clarity at all.
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jago25_98
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October 03, 2011, 07:34:52 PM |
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Don't think so: o Davis, the author of the New Yorker story, emails Clear.
"I like to keep a low profile," Clear replies. "I'm curious to know how you found me."
Davis eventually cuts to the chase:
Finally, I asked, "Are you Satoshi?"
He laughed, but didn't respond. There was an awkward silence. ^ awkward silence doesn't really work over email.
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Bitcoiner since the early days. Crypto YouTube Channel: Trading Nomads | Analyst | News Reporter | Bitcoin Hodler | Support Freedom of Speech!
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sadpandatech
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October 03, 2011, 07:38:10 PM |
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I think we should all wear Bitcoin badges that proclaim, "I am the Satoshi Nakamoto"(tm). or "I am not Satoshi. But if I were I wouldn't tell you!"(tm)
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If you're not excited by the idea of being an early adopter 'now', then you should come back in three or four years and either tell us "Told you it'd never work!" or join what should, by then, be a much more stable and easier-to-use system. - GA
It is being worked on by smart people. -DamienBlack
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Phinnaeus Gage
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Bitcoin: An Idea Worth Spending
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October 03, 2011, 07:56:12 PM |
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I want to be Clear! I did not create Bitcoin. ![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blooddirtandangels.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fao_blood%2F2011%2F06%2FPeopleCaughtShapeshiting-1.jpg&t=665&c=aRPCV3d2LHayrw) And, PG, don't even try to link me to Freddy Mercury while playing armchair detective.
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beckspace
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October 03, 2011, 08:03:19 PM |
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Satoshi would not be first concerned about user encryption wallet, just like Gavin told at the NY conference.
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bulanula
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October 03, 2011, 08:05:42 PM |
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Satoshi would not be first concerned about user encryption wallet, just like Gavin told at the NY conference.
He would be concerned about how to dump the rest of the coins on the market without anybody noticing ![Smiley](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/smiley.gif) Just like the 20k dump a week ago ![Shocked](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/shocked.gif) Whoever he is, he is LOADED ![Angry](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/angry.gif) !!!
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Littleshop
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October 03, 2011, 08:10:29 PM |
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Satoshi would not be first concerned about user encryption wallet, just like Gavin told at the NY conference.
He would be concerned about how to dump the rest of the coins on the market without anybody noticing ![Smiley](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/smiley.gif) Just like the 20k dump a week ago ![Shocked](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/shocked.gif) Whoever he is, he is LOADED ![Angry](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/angry.gif) !!! We can tell which coins Satoshi mined in the beginning. We can tell if they move.
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beckspace
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October 03, 2011, 08:11:54 PM |
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He would be concerned about how to dump the rest of the coins on the market without anybody noticing
if only he knows a flaw in the code.
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bulanula
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October 03, 2011, 08:13:33 PM |
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Satoshi would not be first concerned about user encryption wallet, just like Gavin told at the NY conference.
He would be concerned about how to dump the rest of the coins on the market without anybody noticing ![Smiley](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/smiley.gif) Just like the 20k dump a week ago ![Shocked](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/shocked.gif) Whoever he is, he is LOADED ![Angry](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/angry.gif) !!! We can tell which coins Satoshi mined in the beginning. We can tell if they move. Whatever, he is still going to be LOADED when he cashes out. Even if he only does 1000 BTC at a time etc. and transfers it to different addresses to obfuscate the laundering etc.
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evoorhees
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Democracy is the original 51% attack
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October 03, 2011, 08:19:24 PM |
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Satoshi would not be first concerned about user encryption wallet, just like Gavin told at the NY conference.
He would be concerned about how to dump the rest of the coins on the market without anybody noticing ![Smiley](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/smiley.gif) Just like the 20k dump a week ago ![Shocked](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/shocked.gif) Whoever he is, he is LOADED ![Angry](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/angry.gif) !!! We can tell which coins Satoshi mined in the beginning. We can tell if they move. Whatever, he is still going to be LOADED when he cashes out. Even if he only does 1000 BTC at a time etc. and transfers it to different addresses to obfuscate the laundering etc. For some people, "cashing out" happened when they got rid of their fiat currency for something better. For some people, there is little desire to exchange this valuable currency for the play-money of governments.
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gnar1ta$
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October 03, 2011, 08:26:42 PM |
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For some people, "cashing out" happened when they got rid of their fiat currency for something better. For some people, there is little desire to exchange this valuable currency for the play-money of governments.
But play-money of governments buys more stuff - and people need stuff. When do you think I can buy gas and groceries with my Bitcoins?
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Losing hundreds of Bitcoins with the best scammers in the business - BFL, Avalon, KNC, HashFast.
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bulanula
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October 03, 2011, 09:19:48 PM |
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For some people, "cashing out" happened when they got rid of their fiat currency for something better. For some people, there is little desire to exchange this valuable currency for the play-money of governments.
But play-money of governments buys more stuff - and people need stuff. When do you think I can buy gas and groceries with my Bitcoins? Exactly. Most miners cash out ASAP as their things are confirmed etc. !
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Anonymous
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October 03, 2011, 10:13:33 PM |
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![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.impartio.com%2Fimages%2Fmichael.jpg&t=665&c=KXZrZb3tkB455g) He certainly looks the part.
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bulanula
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October 03, 2011, 10:17:29 PM |
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![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.impartio.com%2Fimages%2Fmichael.jpg&t=665&c=KXZrZb3tkB455g) He certainly looks the part. LOL epic ! Let us hope he does not cash out ASAP now he has been uncovered ! Always knew he was from the UK. Who else reads the times !?!? LOL nice one mates !
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