Nick Szabo  🔑

The history of holding and otherwise using gold is very closely tied to physical security. The history of crypto is and will be closely tied to key management.

Swiss soldiers were also, not coincidentally, often hired as mercenaries and guards across Europe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Guards …

That mountain terrain is historically underrated. Same with Afghanistan.

I have always wondered if there were other factors involved in why certain tribes immediately rose against invaders while others submitted. The Nooristani, no doubt the most carnivorous and isolated, were the first to rise against the Soviets.

Then there were the Eastern tribes that rose against the most beloved king Amanullah- for he dared to announce a plan to tax Afghans, infringing on their sovereignty.

Then there is a historic Afghan aversion to certain foods, such as legumes for example. 'Daalkhor' (eater of legumes) being an insult. https://twitter.com/HakonRotmwrt/status/864152733577859074?s=19 …

I know nothing but here's a guess: could be inverse causation: meat eaters likely were wealthier as a result of being higher social class (meat is expensive). Their status could be derived from military strength. So the fighters ate me, but meat eaters not necessarily fighters.

This is very interesting. I do know that in Wakhan, for example, there are only two groups with an interesting dynamic: the Wakhi (poor, agriculturalist) and the Kyrgyz (wealthier, sheep/yak pastoralists). The Wakhi typically work for the Kyrgyz.

Kyrgyz probably able to survive famins and have lower time preference b/c higher life expectancy, leading to wealth accumulation and military power. (100% credit for seeing the world through @nntaleb and @saifedean lenses since reading both on last vacation. Makes sense though).

Pastoral/nomad societies being lots more Antifragile that Agriculturers. Less prone to weather and physical attacks, being able to flee literally with their wealth and source of income.