Hello Steemit!
My name is Brendan Valentine. I am happy to be here!
Rather than dilute this post with too much about me, I would prefer to focus on what I am planning on bringing to the platform.
My own life experience allows me to potentially contribute from a few different subject matter topics. I'm going to briefly run through these:
Markets, Trading and Investing: I am a student of the markets, trader and investor. I am active in cryptocurrency, physical commodities / precious metals, stocks / equities, options and futures. I am always analyzing for new causative relationships and interesting insights into the financial workings of the world. I believe that economics and politics are inseparable from how we live as human beings and organize social systems, so am therefore always exploring the relationship between humans and the systems we create. All that I share from this avenue would be restricted to original, personal insights that arise from day to day learning - my personal experience rather than what I have spent my time learning.
Music, poetry and writing: I am a lifelong multi-instrumentalist musician and writer. My main focus is on musical instrumentation and poetry. I used to teach guitar when I was younger and played with dedication for over 13 years. I played in a local band for about 5 years and also play bass, drums, keyboards, vocals, electronic production, and some other wind instruments. The inconvenience of adult life has detracted from my musical pursuits but I have reached a point in my life where I intend to pursue the creation of music again. Likewise, poetry has always been a large part of my artistic expression. Where it can be joined with music I think is ideal. My focus in writing tends to be on short, streamlined logic-oriented quatrains that run up into larger compositions. I really like to embed axioms and paradox into my poetry; I think this is related to the substantial inspiration I have been able to draw from Buddhist works.
Debate, logic and rhetoric: Drawing on my love for the works of Nagarjuna I can't help but have a soft spot in my heart for logic, thinking and problem solving. I love to engage in the exercise of using our thinking and the crazy axioms derived to try and make any sense of our individual experiences. I doubt this will ever get boring for me and I am always happy to have a light-hearted brainstorming session about what is really going on here with our peculiar existence.
Medical Cannabis and Entheogens: Medical cannabis and entheogens have played a pivotal role in my own life which I would be remiss to overlook. I use medical cannabis for a complex spectrum of health issues and the past effects of entheogens have shaped a foundation of personal growth. I enjoy theorizing about the inexplicable experiences and effects that these biochemical wonders produce. I also invest in cannabis and am always fascinated by learning and sharing cutting-edge research and testimonials.
Gardening: I love plants. Simply. I always want to get more into horticulture and urban farming, as well as learn everything I can about plants, mycology, and botany. What little I know I am always happy to share. Where I think I can contribute here is in my pseudo-engineering vision of complex self-sustaining systems. Permaculture also gets my heart pumping.
Programming, Computers, and Next Generation Technology: I am a big techno-enthusiast. I invest in high-tech and I am fascinated by it. I have loved computers since I was a kid and started playing Chip's Challenge on Windows 95 - I almost miss the days of Telnet and dial-up modems...almost. Blockchain is just about the most exciting thing around for me right now and I would love to learn more about the programming mechanics of blockchain networks. High tech trends, emergent technology, suppressed patents, overlooked theories, etc. Let's talk about it all!
Mental health, personal growth, trauma recovery: Without diving into details I have had a decent amount of sickness, injury and trauma in my life. I find that this is maybe the core driver of everything that I am really interested in - how to overcome the challenges faced in life. The human condition is perpetually interesting so there should never be an opportunity to get bored.
I look forward to expanding these topics by learning from everybody here! Where I can share I am always happy to contribute. This is a great platform, great blockchain and by the looks of it a really great community.
All the best!!
Brendan