Sign up today
Softphone APP for Android &IOS
eComTechnology Posts
The Court That Let Democracy Bleed
The Court That Let Democracy Bleed MeidasTouch Network and Michael Cohen Jul 15, 2025 Guest article by Michael Cohen In a chilling, unsigne...
Leonard Leo Trump adviser Federalist Society
Cryptocurrencies are forms of digital currency
Background
Colloquially known as “crypto,” cryptocurrencies are forms of digital currency that have evolved to have a wide variety of uses in recent years. Among their key features is decentralization, meaning that unlike traditional money, they generally aren’t controlled by a single authority like a bank or government.
As of early 2025, cryptocurrencies had a cumulative market cap of almost $3.4T, making them worth more than some of the world’s most valuable companies, like Google and Amazon (both valued at roughly $2.3T). A recent survey found roughly 17% of US adults had invested in, traded, or used cryptocurrency.
History and Uses
While modern cryptocurrency took off in the 2010s, some point to eCash—an early '90s private peer-to-peer transfer system—as the forerunner to the modern crypto ecosystem.
Currently, the most established and well-known cryptocurrency is bitcoin, which was created in 2009 following a now-famous white paper written by a programmer using the pen name Satoshi Nakamoto. It is mostly used as a substitute for traditional money and a store of value and has been referred to as “digital gold”—a limited resource not controlled by a central government.
Bitcoin’s value remained relatively low until around 2017 but has peaked above $100K per coin as of this writing. Explore 1440’s Bitcoin topic page here.
Ethereum, the second-most valuable cryptocurrency, was launched in 2015. Unlike bitcoin, Ethereum is more than just a digital currency. Instead, it operates similarly to a platform (think Apple’s iOS system on an iPhone), enabling applications ranging from smart contracts to decentralized financial tools to gaming, gambling, file sharing, road mapping, and more (how it works).
A third type is referred to as “memecoins.” These easy-to-create tokens usually have no utility and are treated as speculative investments, many of which trade near zero. The first memecoin, Dogecoin—inspired by a popular internet meme featuring a Shiba Inu—was created in 2013 by software engineers as a joke (watch explainer). Unlike others, it is now one of the top 10 most valuable cryptocurrencies as of early 2025.
The total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies went from under $20B in 2017 to more than $3.4T in 2025. As of this writing, the top three cryptocurrencies ranked by market cap are bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP (see full list).
See a timeline of crypto’s history and how it became so popular here.
Blockchains and Crypto
Most cryptocurrencies rely on blockchain technology. Blockchains are the digital equivalents of public ledgers: On a blockchain, every transaction is recorded and bundled into a “block.” That block is then added to a long “chain” of blocks that anyone—aside from certain instances of private blockchains—can view and verify.
Some cryptocurrencies function like Ethereum—highly technical projects that use their underlying blockchains for more decentralized applications.
Many believe such approaches may lead to a flourishing ecosystem of next-generation applications and businesses. Ethereum and Solana are the leading examples of the technology; see the differences here.
There are many ways to invest in crypto, including using a traditional broker, a payment app like Venmo, a peer-to-peer marketplace (P2P), or a bitcoin ATM. One of the most common ways to invest is via an exchange like Coinbase or Kraken.
Pros and Cons
Advocates of cryptocurrency point to several advantages: instant transfer of funds, protection against inflation, ease of access, the ability to build decentralized applications, and much more.
Conversely, critics argue cryptocurrencies help facilitate crime and can have an outsized environmental impact due to high energy consumption (though new approaches are addressing the energy challenge).
Finally, many types of cryptocurrencies are susceptible to boom-and-bust cycles, making investments risky for those without a clear understanding of the ecosystem.
Gils Walker
During the 30 years it took to research and write this book, several people were a continuing source of inspiration and encouragement, for which I am very grateful. They are men I went to school with as boys and who are now older men in their 60s, like me. People like Patrick Doheny, Jay Lumière, Gordon Glass, and Allan MacDougall. Equally, I am indebted to former teachers at Bishop’s College School like John Cowans and John Pratt.
My two editors, Bryan Demchinsky and Correy Baldwin, were sources of encouragement and criticism when needed, for which I thank them. Correy is a relative newcomer to the editing trade whereas Bryan is a veteran journalist who speaks like crusty lifers are supposed to speak. He says things like: “I turned up a few more fly specks amid the sugar.” Dana Edmonds took charge of the images that appear in the book and the website created to promote the book. Their quality reflects her skills and patience. My good friend, Barbara Sears, helped me with the research for the book but more importantly she encouraged me from the very beginning, telling me I could and should write this book. My brothers, David and Julian, both former BCS students themselves (although they escaped Forster), have been loyal and insightful supporters over these many years. Charlotte Breese provided me with encouragement and, often, accommodation on my various trips to England to research this book. Graham Patriquin’s two-volume history of BCS, From Little Forks to Moulton Hill, was an indispensible reference and source of information. Many other people helped me along the way. There are too many to name in full but I must mention Suzanne DePoe, Peter Hutchins, Tam Davis, Tony Suche, John Dean, Paul Cowan, Peter Norris, Michel Choquette, Ron Owen, Alexis Troubetzkoy, Stephen Fox, John and Jill Stephenson, Dendle French, Mark Abley, David Evans, David Muschett, William Walker, Jill McGreal, Dr. Peter Collins, Dr. Michael Seto, Judy Steed, Merrily Weisbord, Simon Dardick, Marion Hebb, and a very special thanks to Dr. Gizelle Popradi. My wife, Hannele Halm, has always been the most reliable judge of my work, whether in filmmaking or writing. I dare not take a step without her support, for which I will never be able to express enough thanks. My children, Anna-Kaisa and Sam, have been patient readers and supporters when called upon. It’s been a very long and winding road. This book began life some 30 years ago as a research project for a feature film entitled Retribution. Jefferson Lewis has worked tirelessly to write and shape the screenplay. We fervently believe the film will get made one of these days. Harold Forster was a man whose very existence defied belief. Stories about him never failed to intrigue or astound, and their number grew and grew as the years went by and the research continued. Eventually, the collective revulsion against his sins coalesced into a class-action lawsuit brought against BCS by his former students. That lawsuit has now been settled and the Harold Forster story has been told.
Oscar Peterson: Cherishing a legacy of technical virtuosity and soulful swing
Oscar Peterson: Cherishing a legacy of technical virtuosity and soulful swing
- 2/13/2025
- 11:59 AM
- Web site view
The distinction given to the virtuoso — an artist recognized for exceptional skill and talent — is generated by their prominence and unique creative fortitude.
Through the ages and across genres, virtuosi have been revered for their ability to transcend technical limitations and transport audiences into new realms of musical experience.
Oscar Peterson’s artistic identity as a conveyor of compelling passion, expressive freedom and technical command of the piano through jazz improvisation became a beacon of inspiration among his contemporaries, across the spectrum of music.
Here, as a professor of vocal jazz studies at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and as a performing vocal artist, pianist, choral conductor, jazz and gospel artist, I reflect on elements that contributed to Peterson’s identity, distinctive sound and mission as a Black artist.
As a visiting instructor at Carleton University in Ottawa, I am pleased to present these thoughts in collaboration with my colleague, James Deaville, a musicologist who has researched virtuosity.
Trailblazer in virtuosity
Peterson’s legacy stands as a bright beacon among the trailblazers in technical virtuosity and soulful expression.
Peterson, who was born in 1925 and passed away in 2007, was a foundational catalyst for new generational keepers of artistic excellence due to his tremendous range, from rhapsodic spontaneity to vulnerable tenderness.
This contributed to his iconic stature, globally evidenced in sold-out concert halls, filled jazz clubs and many commissioned works. His media personality and his television appearances, including performing his acclaimed composition “Canadiana Suite” in 1964, contributed to the pop culture of his generation.
I was delighted to visit Peterson’s home church in Montréal with my wife on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 20.
Childhood milieu, training
Peterson established his musical heritage through the bonds of family and church in his childhood home of the Little Burgundy community in Montréal.
He did so as one of five siblings with his immigrant father and mother respectively from the British Virgin Islands and St. Kitts.
Founded in 1907, the Little Burgundy church home of the Petersons, Union United Church, still stands. It serves as a representation of faith-based progressive activism, social consciousness and a resource for the civility and human rights of its congregation. The church proudly displays its African and Afro-Caribbean heritage, and “continues to serve a diverse congregation with roots from over 50 countries.”
Throughout centuries, Black churches have intrinsically been linked to the core of community engagement, socialization, educational programs, political activism and such initiatives as job training and raising health-care awareness.
At Union’s observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, individuals spoke to the congregation and with me privately of their lifetime multi-generational sacrifices, accomplishments and efforts to combat racial injustice and employment inequities. These endeavours they undertook from their origin as a community of immigrants and parishioners of colour.
One meeting of great significance took place with Annie “Mildred” Rockhead, the sister-in-law of Rufus Nathaniel Rockhead (1896-1981), Jamaican-born entrepreneur and founder of the famed Rockhead’s Paradise Jazz Club in Little Burgundy.
Another was with Oliver Theophilus Jones, critically acclaimed African Canadian jazz pianist, composer and educator.
Notably, Jones, like Peterson, received musical tutelage under the accomplished Daisy Peterson Sweeney (1920-2017), Oscar’s sister.
Virtuosic fluency
Sweeney and Peterson’s father were his first musical teachers.
An amalgamation of concepts and cultural exposures established the platform for Peterson’s musical explorations. His training in western music theory and his immersion in Black vernacular traditions — comprising linguistic, oral and improvisational elements from Black cultural, popular and religious spaces, and music genres such as spirituals, gospel, blues and jazz — provided him with an expansive repertoire on which to build.
Pedagogic guidance with such mentors as Hungarian concert pianist Pauly de Marky and the influence of iconic jazz pianist Art Tatum also contributed to Peterson’s unique mix of virtuosic fluency.
Peterson absorbed a wide range of stylistic influences in tempos and dynamics into his prevailing spiritual core of swing and blues.
‘Soulful swing’
Peterson’s tutelage and cultural absorption contributed to an identifiable expressive voice of stylistic grace, impeccable command of his instrument and execution of spiritual freedom.
I refer to this freedom as the identity of Peterson’s interminable musical statement of “soulful swing.” It draws on blues from its historical roots of cries, moans, and smiles through tears, of the hope and joyful praise of gospel and the pride and grace of jazz. These may all be woven into a charismatic tapestry of rhapsodic virtuosity or solemn stillness.
In exploring Oscar Peterson’s encompassing discography, I reference two mesmerizing excerpts from the Solo recording, featuring solo piano renditions performed for live audience in 1972, released 2002.
Peterson’s performance of the classic Edward Heyman jazz ballad, “Body and Soul,” contains innovative depth, improvisatory brilliance and transportive eloquence. Through these elements, and its structural pace-setting, the performance may be aligned to some of great virtuosi of music history, including such masters of the piano as Franz Liszt, Vladimir Horowitz and another Canadian, Glenn Gould.
Each statement of the song is presented in incremental segments. We hear the mastery of harmonic inflection, dramatic flare — and elements of surprise. Peterson escorts the listener through multiple doors of rapture, humour, joy and personal tenderness.
“Hogtown Blues” presents Oscar’s rhythmically precise, memorable melody punctuated by harmonic “call and response” phrases raised out of the African American diaspora from secular work songs to sacred songs of faith, hope and praise.
Throughout each consecutive chorus, Peterson extends this lyrical simplicity into euphoric release by the application of virtuosic complexity in keyboard techniques. Yet, during this journey, the constant dance groove remains at the forefront of Oscar’s signature expressive voice — swing!
Dignity, elegance, empowerment
As Canada celebrates Black History Month and the centennial commemoration of Peterson, I am most inspired by Peterson’s own words about his “Hymn to Freedom,” originally featured on the Night Train album with the Oscar Peterson Trio.
Of the song, inspired by the words and life of Martin Luther King Jr., Peterson said:
“I wrote the song with hope because the lyrics personified exactly what I was thinking): ‘When every man joins hands and forever sings in harmony, that’s when we’ll be free.‘”
Today, Peterson’s stardom continues to resonate as one of the first world-renowned African Canadians. He set a path for many African Canadian artists of today like The Weeknd, Drake and hip-hop legend Maestro Fresh Wes, who paid tribute to Peterson in his 1991 track “Nothin’ at All.”
As one of our most prolific representatives of dignity, elegance and empowerment over adversity, Peterson’s artistic profile and lifetime achievement remain a legacy to cherish.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
MAGA assault on the foundations of our democracy
Given the scope of the MAGA assault on the foundations of our democracy, many Democrats, responsible media outlets, and concerned Americans have (understandably) been focused on its attempt to obliterate the rule of law, the separation of powers, and the First Amendment. But we should never lose track of the abject immorality that is part and parcel of an ideology based on vengeful victimhood, conspiracy-mongering, and repudiation of science.
From the outbreak of measles to stalling grants to the pursuit of cures for “diseases ranging from heart disease and cancer to Alzheimer's and allergies” to renewing the starvation crisis in Sudan to devasting cuts at the Veterans Administration to dismissal of patriotic, highly-trained trans members of the armed services…we cannot miss this administration’s abject cruelty; its almost-boisterous disregard for human life and dignity.
 |
House and Senate Republicans bear just as much responsibility as President in Name Only (PINO) Donald Trump and acting president Elon Musk for mutely going along with these actions. Moreover, we must view the House budget as yet another exercise in cruelty and reckless endangerment of human life.
“Trump and Musk have slashed roughly 2,400 VA jobs…A decision that won’t make things more efficient, like they claimed, but will actually lead to longer wait times, more backlog and more chaos for Veterans,” Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Minn.) recently said at a virtual townhall. “They’ve also launched a wider purge of federal workers—firing, in total, an estimated 6,000 Veterans, including the folks behind the Veterans Crisis Line.” She emphasized, “The only reason they are doing this is to try to find enough loose change behind the couch cushions so that they can give even bigger tax breaks to the rich guys they pal around with on the golf course.”
Breaking the sacred obligation to care for our veterans is only one aspect of the onslaught. Perhaps the most egregious is the plan to slash $880B from Medicaid. The argument that cuts of that magnitude can be achieved by “reform” or by cutting “waste, fraud, and abuse,” frankly, insults our intelligence.
The impact of such cuts is immense given the reach of Medicaid. The Kaiser Family Foundation notes, “Medicaid is the primary program providing comprehensive health and long-term care to one in five people living in the U.S. and accounts for nearly $1 out of every $5 spent on health care.” Medicaid covers not only the poorest Americans, but seniors’ long-term health care, drug addicts, and the disabled. More than 72 million Americans are enrolled in some aspect of the program.
The results of capping the cost per beneficiary could be devastating. By 2034, 15 million fewer people would be receiving benefits including:
5.3 million children
4.8 million adults eligible through the ACA expansion
2.9 million parents and other adults under age 65
1.3 million people with disabilities
0.6 million people ages 65 and older.
KFF points out that an “additional 15 million expansion enrollees could lose Medicaid coverage (totaling about 20 million expansion enrollees by FY 2034) if the ACA expansion match rate is also eliminated.”
Especially hard-hit would be hospitals, in particular rural hospitals already facing economic distress. “Rural Americans would also be at risk of losing services,” ABC News reported. “Penn State professor Dennis Shea said many rural hospitals and community health centers have already closed and the ones that remain open already face funding challenges.” If they lose funding, hospitals will close and deprive rural residents of critical medical services. Moreover, since rural hospitals often are the major employer in their localities, a closure can have devastating ripple effects on the entire community.
In short, Republicans pushing these cuts are depriving their constituents of healthcare, consigning rural hospitals to closure, and potentially wrecking the economic lifeline for their communities.
Understand, they are doing this so that Trump, Musk, and the oligarch class can get more tax breaks.
As if that were not bad enough, House Republicans want to cut $230B from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over ten years. “[L]awmakers cannot cut $230 billion—or anything close to that amount — from SNAP without slashing benefits, restricting eligibility, or some combination of both,” the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities finds. “Republican lawmakers could make these benefit or eligibility cuts directly through changes to federal SNAP policy. But they could also enact them indirectly by shifting costs to states, forcing state officials to decide whose benefits will be cut and by how much.” Those changes amount to slashing “more than 20 percent from a program that helps more than 40 million people, including 1 in 5 children, afford groceries.” (About 90 percent of the households receiving SNAP benefits have “children, older adults, or people with disabilities.”)
Contrary to what you hear from Republicans, SNAP already imposes strict work requirements on most adults who are over the age of eighteen without children in the home. They can remain on benefits for only 3 months “unless they can demonstrate they are working at least 20 hours per week or prove they qualify for an exemption, such as having a disability.” These are not flimsy, free-loader-friendly programs. (Most SNAP beneficiaries already work; the notoriously cumbersome red tape will wind up depriving eligible people of benefits to which they are entitled.) Making such requirements even more exacting undoubtedly yields hardship for the most vulnerable Americans.
This might sound like a bone-chilling Dickens novel. (“Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?”) Sadly, this very real scheme is MAGA nirvana: Take away healthcare benefits from grandma in a nursing home. Snatch food stamps away from a hungry, disabled child or elderly person. And boot out drug addicts from lifesaving treatment programs. (Not to mention massive cuts to Pell Grants, school lunches, and Head Start.) All of this is designed to give the richest people even more tax cuts.
“By voting for this cruel bill, you are betraying hardworking Americans by raising costs for all those already struggling to make ends meet,” former Speaker of the House Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Cal.) told MAGA Republicans on the House floor. “Indeed, a vote for this budget is a vote against Medicaid, ripping away health care from children, people with disabilities, and seniors. And it is a vote against SNAP…taking food out of the mouths of babies. And you do that with glee.”
This GOP’s agenda is a moral abomination that no American, regardless of party, should support. If there is anything worth taking to the streets for peaceful protest, it is this sort of massive, regressive redistribution from the already-struggling to the no-amount-is-ever-enough billionaire class.
The Contrarian is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.