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We are quickly approaching two decades of Bitcoin existing. And yet, I have zero reason to own any for myself. On the other hand, nearly two decades after the W

We are quickly approaching two decades of Bitcoin existing. And yet, I have zero reason to own any for myself. On the other hand, nearly two decades after the World Wide Web came into existence (around 2006 or so) - we all knew the Web was here to stay even well before then. Side-note: Going back through my comments history here on HN, I feel like I've been engaging on this topic too much. I feel like a curmudgeon, even though I don't want to be. :-)

thomassmith65 1y ago
Yes, that's the point: your opinion on bitcoin, like that of most people on HN, is informed. If I never hear about crypto again, it will be too soon. There were several stints throughout the 2010's where this website was unreadable due to everyone constantly shilling.
chrisjj 1y ago
> We are quickly approaching two decades of Bitcoin existing. And yet, I have zero reason to own any for myself. What, the coffee bars near you don't take it?? :)
- TheAmazingRace 1y ago
  The few that I remember advertising "We Accept Bitcoin!" turned out to not accept it at all, and it was some sticker left on the window. To be fair, I'm sure there are shops that do directly accept it, but it's not this amazing life changing thing, unless you acquired a bunch in its halcyon days and forgot about it, only to then cash out afterwards, assuming you didn't forget your keys. ;-)
ryanjshaw 1y ago
Did you know AI was here to stay 2 decades after Eliza? How about prime numbers - also a waste of time, right?
- TheAmazingRace 1y ago
  I have no qualms with AI. There are some neat applications with it. And prime numbers... lolwut? Prime95 is a fun stress test, but I don't see how it improves my day to day life. I feel this is whataboutism. EDIT: I should note that I should have worded my statement to say that the Web is infinitely useful as a tool in addition to being here to stay. I don't necessarily see Bitcoin going away any time soon, if ever. However, its utility is much lower on the totem pole, if not non-existent, depending on who you are. To each their own though. Some folks like living life on the edge.
  - ryanjshaw 1y ago
    I’m challenging the notion that 2 decades is a meaningful timescale to evaluate the value of an idea. Prime numbers are the reason you can use the web securely over WiFi. It took 2,500 years for that to happen.
    - TheAmazingRace 1y ago
      I'm pretty sure I would have figured the usefulness out a long time ago if it truly was going to make a difference. Two decades is plenty of time. On your comment on how prime numbers helped with WiFi. I say "cool... but I don't have to directly think about it and everything around it just works since it's transparent to me." Again, some folks might value this for their own reasons, and that is their business. It's not my right or interest to tell people how to spend their money. But the downsides and the externalities of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency make it not worth it for me. I don't want to be my own bank. I want people smarter than me to manage it on my behalf.

thomassmith65 1y ago

Yes, that's the point: your opinion on bitcoin, like that of most people on HN, is informed. If I never hear about crypto again, it will be too soon. There were several stints throughout the 2010's where this website was unreadable due to everyone constantly shilling.

chrisjj 1y ago

> We are quickly approaching two decades of Bitcoin existing. And yet, I have zero reason to own any for myself. What, the coffee bars near you don't take it?? :)

TheAmazingRace 1y ago
The few that I remember advertising "We Accept Bitcoin!" turned out to not accept it at all, and it was some sticker left on the window. To be fair, I'm sure there are shops that do directly accept it, but it's not this amazing life changing thing, unless you acquired a bunch in its halcyon days and forgot about it, only to then cash out afterwards, assuming you didn't forget your keys. ;-)

ryanjshaw 1y ago

Did you know AI was here to stay 2 decades after Eliza? How about prime numbers - also a waste of time, right?

TheAmazingRace 1y ago
I have no qualms with AI. There are some neat applications with it. And prime numbers... lolwut? Prime95 is a fun stress test, but I don't see how it improves my day to day life. I feel this is whataboutism. EDIT: I should note that I should have worded my statement to say that the Web is infinitely useful as a tool in addition to being here to stay. I don't necessarily see Bitcoin going away any time soon, if ever. However, its utility is much lower on the totem pole, if not non-existent, depending on who you are. To each their own though. Some folks like living life on the edge.
- ryanjshaw 1y ago
  I’m challenging the notion that 2 decades is a meaningful timescale to evaluate the value of an idea. Prime numbers are the reason you can use the web securely over WiFi. It took 2,500 years for that to happen.
  - TheAmazingRace 1y ago
    I'm pretty sure I would have figured the usefulness out a long time ago if it truly was going to make a difference. Two decades is plenty of time. On your comment on how prime numbers helped with WiFi. I say "cool... but I don't have to directly think about it and everything around it just works since it's transparent to me." Again, some folks might value this for their own reasons, and that is their business. It's not my right or interest to tell people how to spend their money. But the downsides and the externalities of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency make it not worth it for me. I don't want to be my own bank. I want people smarter than me to manage it on my behalf.