11 chapters across the catalog
The hosts examine OnlyBoosts.social, a new platform modeled after OnlyFans for podcast boosts. While they praise the concept, they express frustration with the requirement to sign in via Nostr rather than simply providing a Lightning invoice for Strike.
Adam Curry details the technical difficulties of shutting down a large Lightning Network node with 140 channels. He describes the LND database as becoming unusable at scale, requiring the use of the lncli command-line tool and custom scripts to force-close channels over a multi-week period.
The conversation shifts to the X402 protocol backed by Cloudflare, which aims to facilitate micro-payments for AI agents using stablecoins. The hosts reflect on the philosophical disconnect between the Bitcoin ecosystem and the practical needs of average podcasters for low-fee, self-sovereign payments.
The hosts discuss transitioning their payment splits to the Alby Hub. Adam Curry reports technical failures with his Start9 box, noting that the Tor connection and Helipad interface stopped functioning, possibly due to recent software updates.
Adam Curry describes building a custom "Helipad" spreadsheet using AI to track show comments and payments. He reiterates the goal of maintaining an open Value for Value system that allows podcasters to be supported directly by their audience without being forced into closed ecosystems.
Adam Curry explores ways to evolve the podcasting funding tag to provide financial incentives for app developers. He mentions Elon Musk's "xMoney" as a potential future payment system and discusses the "splits" model originally popularized by the Lightning Network as a way to sustain the ecosystem.
The hosts discuss the technical difficulty of signaling payment destinations through RSS tags and the legal hurdles of becoming a money transmitter. They express frustration that these problems were largely solved by the Lightning Network, which has seen limited adoption due to its technical complexity.
Revenue from the Lightning Network for the Podcast Index has plummeted from $50 per week to approximately $11, making the $240 monthly cost of maintaining a Voltage node unsustainable. The decline is attributed to changes in protocols, the rising price of Bitcoin causing users to "HODL" their sats, and a general shift away from the initial excitement of streaming micropayments. The hosts are now considering whether to shut down the node entirely.
The decision to shut down the Podcast Index Lightning node is finalized due to its high cost, technical instability, and lack of usage. The hosts express "sour grapes" regarding the Bitcoin Maximalist world, accusing figures like Jack Dorsey and Jack Mallers of allowing the technology to be captured by venture capital interests. They plan to close the node's channels over the coming weeks, signaling an end to their attempt to run a major piece of Lightning infrastructure.
Podcasting 2.0 Episode 258 Introduction, Cedar Fever and Node Issues
Adam Curry and Dave Jones open episode 258 of Podcasting 2.0 from Texas and Alabama. Jones describes suffering from cedar fever while Curry addresses technical issues regarding his Alby lightning node not appearing in the live splits. The hosts exchange banter about domestic interruptions and the "whatever" response before transitioning into the official board meeting.
Satogram Lightning Spam, Bitcoin Micro-Payments and KYC-Free Cards
Dave Jones reports receiving his first "boost spam" via Satogram, an advertisement for Orangefriend.com. The message promoted Bitcoin to Lightning swaps and P2P markets with no-KYC prepaid cards. Jones expresses amusement at being paid one satoshi to receive spam, noting that the micro-payment model changes the economics of digital advertising.
