3 ms·

We live in mostly great times in the first world countries. Peace, and compared to previous times, almost no one is starving and almost everyone has a roof or c

We live in mostly great times in the first world countries. Peace, and compared to previous times, almost no one is starving and almost everyone has a roof or could get one. It's always easy to take things for granted, but the real power of Bitcoin shows when things go sidewards. One could say that governments printing a lot of money is already the beginning. Bitcoin (as well as other stuff such as Gold or even global competition) are acting as a certain counterweight against control by other people. Maybe without these counterweights, we would already be in a much worse situation right now.

masklinn 5y ago
> It's always easy to take things for granted, but the real power of Bitcoin shows when things go sidewards. Yes because the one thing that works best when things go sideways is a giant network of electricity wasting computers you access over the internet. Definitely nothing taken for granted here. > Maybe without these counterweights, we would already be in a much worse situation right now. That is certainly a take.
- sweetbitter 5y ago
  The environmental issue is somewhat true of Bitcoin, and certainly not true of a slew of other currencies.
  - markdestouches 5y ago
    That begs the question: why does Bitcoin remain the dominant cryptocurrency then?
ngngngng 5y ago
I have plans for a real SHTF scenario. Things to eat, things to barter, things to defend myself with. I really don't think in time of instability I'll be thinking "damn, wish I had some bitcoin right now."
- valenterry 5y ago
  Bitcoin is not for these times directly, but for after. With gold, historically governments have tried to get a hold of it with draconic punishments if they found someone tried to hide it. With gold you are more in danger and you can't easily move it. Bitcoin is better, but certainly not optimal. Still, if you were to flee from your country, you might not be able to take gold or money with you, but for bitcoin it's much easier. So someone in government will think twice before putting heavy restrictions if they can easily be circumvented.

masklinn 5y ago

> It's always easy to take things for granted, but the real power of Bitcoin shows when things go sidewards. Yes because the one thing that works best when things go sideways is a giant network of electricity wasting computers you access over the internet. Definitely nothing taken for granted here. > Maybe without these counterweights, we would already be in a much worse situation right now. That is certainly a take.

sweetbitter 5y ago
The environmental issue is somewhat true of Bitcoin, and certainly not true of a slew of other currencies.
- markdestouches 5y ago
  That begs the question: why does Bitcoin remain the dominant cryptocurrency then?

ngngngng 5y ago

I have plans for a real SHTF scenario. Things to eat, things to barter, things to defend myself with. I really don't think in time of instability I'll be thinking "damn, wish I had some bitcoin right now."

valenterry 5y ago
Bitcoin is not for these times directly, but for after. With gold, historically governments have tried to get a hold of it with draconic punishments if they found someone tried to hide it. With gold you are more in danger and you can't easily move it. Bitcoin is better, but certainly not optimal. Still, if you were to flee from your country, you might not be able to take gold or money with you, but for bitcoin it's much easier. So someone in government will think twice before putting heavy restrictions if they can easily be circumvented.