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No, they're not. The definition of "Ponzi scheme" is not "something financial I think is a scam" as most people use it. It's a very specific type of financial f

No, they're not. The definition of "Ponzi scheme" is not "something financial I think is a scam" as most people use it. It's a very specific type of financial fraud. "Everything is a Ponzi" is a lazy analysis only made possible by having a lazy definition of what a Ponzi scheme is

darkerside 4y ago
A Ponzi scheme is a form of fraud that lures investors and pays profits to earlier investors with funds from more recent investors. Many things from MLM to social security to VC markets can be viewed as a Ponzi scheme.
- skinnymuch 4y ago
  Your second paragraph doesn’t indicate that’s most things. Those are the obvious ones.
carlivar 4y ago
Here's the definition: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/ponzischeme.asp https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/ponzischeme.asp I think the point is that there are more structures out there like this than we think. Social Security for example. Just do a web search and you'll see it's a rather mainstream question. Also there are so many unfunded public pensions that could meet the definition. Perhaps the difference is transparency. We know these public programs are currently in bad shape, but private schemes are completely opaque until they collapse.
- skinnymuch 4y ago
  Social security is brought up all the time as a Ponzi scheme. Do you have examples that aren’t represented well? To prove the point.
- SideQuark 4y ago
  Social Security isn't a Ponzi scheme. It's not hiding how it's funded, has accurate transparent accounting, and isn't misleading anyone about it. It's more like insurance. Pay as you go isn't a Ponzi scheme.
  - panarky 4y ago
    Then Bitcoin isn't a Ponzi scheme either. It doesn't hide anything, it's far more transparent than Social Security, it doesn't mislead anyone.
    - SideQuark 4y ago
      I didn't call Bitcoin a Ponzi scheme. It's more of a pump and dump scheme where people extol made up virtues to get suckers to put money in, and as demonstrated for well over a decade now, it's a complete financial crapstorm filled with theft, criminal activity, and people stealing incredible sums of money from the unsuspecting. But sure, it's not a Ponzi scheme. It just makes them easier to do to people.

darkerside 4y ago

A Ponzi scheme is a form of fraud that lures investors and pays profits to earlier investors with funds from more recent investors. Many things from MLM to social security to VC markets can be viewed as a Ponzi scheme.

skinnymuch 4y ago
Your second paragraph doesn’t indicate that’s most things. Those are the obvious ones.

carlivar 4y ago

Here's the definition: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/ponzischeme.asp https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/ponzischeme.asp I think the point is that there are more structures out there like this than we think. Social Security for example. Just do a web search and you'll see it's a rather mainstream question. Also there are so many unfunded public pensions that could meet the definition. Perhaps the difference is transparency. We know these public programs are currently in bad shape, but private schemes are completely opaque until they collapse.

skinnymuch 4y ago
Social security is brought up all the time as a Ponzi scheme. Do you have examples that aren’t represented well? To prove the point.
SideQuark 4y ago
Social Security isn't a Ponzi scheme. It's not hiding how it's funded, has accurate transparent accounting, and isn't misleading anyone about it. It's more like insurance. Pay as you go isn't a Ponzi scheme.
- panarky 4y ago
  Then Bitcoin isn't a Ponzi scheme either. It doesn't hide anything, it's far more transparent than Social Security, it doesn't mislead anyone.
  - SideQuark 4y ago
    I didn't call Bitcoin a Ponzi scheme. It's more of a pump and dump scheme where people extol made up virtues to get suckers to put money in, and as demonstrated for well over a decade now, it's a complete financial crapstorm filled with theft, criminal activity, and people stealing incredible sums of money from the unsuspecting. But sure, it's not a Ponzi scheme. It just makes them easier to do to people.