An interview with Wassim Alsindi (TLC 2019)

## Cryptocurrency Podcast Episode Summary: Interview with Wassim Alsindi (TLC 2019)

1. Narrative Summary:

This podcast episode, recorded at a cryptocurrency conference (TLC 2019), offers a humorous and insightful look at the event's atmosphere and the broader concerns surrounding privacy and surveillance in the crypto space. The hosts begin by recounting a series of quirky experiences, including a bizarre encounter with someone attempting to eject them from their room and technical difficulties with the live stream setup. They playfully critique the perceived exclusivity and elitism of a conference party, contrasting it with their own efforts to create a more interactive and engaging broadcast. As the conversation progresses, the hosts shift to a discussion of surveillance technology, drawing parallels to films like "Enemy of the State" and exploring potential mitigation strategies, even suggesting outlandish solutions like dressing in drag. Throughout the episode, they promote a different Bitcoin conference, Bitbrum, and share anecdotes about gaining access to events through social engineering. The episode concludes with a lighthearted warning about one host's potential descent into MLM promotion and a brief mention of obscure blockchain projects.

2. Main Topics Discussed:

• Conference Experiences: Room access issues, live streaming challenges, low attendance, and the overall atmosphere of the conference.
• Exclusivity & Elitism: Observations about perceived elitism and the requirements for gaining access to certain events.
• Privacy & Surveillance: Concerns about surveillance technology and potential mitigation strategies, referencing films like "Enemy of the State."
• Conference Promotion: A significant push for Bitbrum, a Bitcoin conference in Birmingham, England.
• Social Engineering & Access: Techniques for gaining access to events and advice on being more engaging.
• Sponsorship & Influence: Discussion of how sponsorships impact conference appearances.
• Blockchain Projects: Brief mentions of "art chain" and "sock chain," hinting at discussions about specific blockchain projects.
• MLM Concerns: A humorous warning about one host potentially promoting multi-level marketing schemes.

3. Key Quotes:

• "It's like, it's when you meet the aristocracy." (Describing a bizarre encounter at the conference)
• "If you bid enough money, point one Bitcoin, you could be sitting here." (Regarding the influence of sponsorships)
• "I'm like a white collar lock picker. Social engineer, conference social engineer." (Describing how to gain access to events)
• "Sock chain is, is comprised of unregistered Societies, uh, terrible puns." (Humorous comment about a blockchain project)

4. People Mentioned:

• Wassim Alsindi: (Host - mentioned in episode title, but not present in the provided transcripts)
• Mappiklunds: (Host)
• Ryan: (Related to live streaming issues)
• Josh: (Mentioned in relation to live streaming)
• Sophia: (Mentioned in relation to live streaming)
• Chris Ellis: (Shoutout given, known for privacy concerns)
• Jack Mollers: (Mentioned)
• Theo: (Mentioned)
• Luke: (Audience member)
• Gene Hackman: (Actor, referenced in discussion about surveillance)
• Will Smith: (Actor, referenced in discussion about surveillance)
• Francis Ford Coppola: (Director, referenced in discussion about "The Conversation")
• McLaughlin: (Interviewed on Financial Times)

5. Bitcoin Prices Mentioned:

• 0.1 Bitcoin: The approximate cost of securing a conference appearance through sponsorship.
• No point one Bitcoin: The cost of dinner with the host.