Appreciate you taking the time to lay this out — genuinely helpful. This is the kind of practical framing I was hoping for. Running a full node first makes sense to me, especially as a way to learn by doing without jumping straight into mining or more complex setups. The Raspberry Pi / SSD route and platforms like Umbrel or Start9 are already on my radar, so this helps confirm I’m thinking in the right direction. And yeah — the core vs knots debate is part of what prompted my original post. Not because it isn’t important, but because it shows how quickly newcomers can end up inside internal battles before they’ve even taken a first step. I’m still learning, so I’m intentionally moving slowly and trying to understand the tradeoffs before “casting a vote,” so to speak. What I was trying to point at (probably clumsily) is the on-ramp problem, not the destination. I’m an artist, not a tech native, but I believe deeply in Bitcoin and understand why mining, nodes, and self-custody matter — even if I haven’t set up my own yet. Where I struggle is when internal debates and purity tests become the first thing new people see. For someone already all-in, that’s fine. For someone just trying to escape fiat pressure — working two jobs, barely having time to read — it can be overwhelming fast. I’m not questioning Bitcoin’s fundamentals. I’m questioning how approachable we make the first step. If the entry requires mastering every internal battle up front, we risk losing people who might need Bitcoin the most. I also agree that supporting Bitcoin goes far beyond nodes or mining — accepting BTC, avoiding custodial traps, eventually running Lightning, engaging respectfully, and supporting the culture all matter. I’m moving deliberately, learning as I go, and trying to keep the door open for others who aren’t technical yet but are genuinely curious. I will have to look into accepting bitcoin again and running a lightning network might be something I take serious. Thanks again for the solid guidance — this is the kind of signal that actually helps people move forward.

I recently was asked to slow down and articulate how I actually work — not just what I make, but how and why. The questions weren’t about output or milestones as much as rhythm, process, and learning to build something over time without forcing it into a fixed schedule. We touched on airbrush work, music, documentation, and the challenge of balancing what supports me now with what I’m building toward next. Rather than treating those as separate lanes, the conversation explored how they inform one another and how creative work often moves in cycles instead of straight lines. I also recorded a short audio piece around the same time — Airbrushes & Airplanes, Journaling the Journey — as a way to capture where my head and heart were before the interview. It’s less of a statement and more of a timestamp. Airbrushes & Airplanes, Journaling the Journey by ICT - DJ Lexo on Audius https://audius.co/AlexAirbrushLuna/airbrushes-airplanes-journaling-the-journey #Art, #CreativeProcess,#Journey