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>I think the correct response is asking how they would get back their money if cash was stolen from their house. But stealing Bitcoins doesn't require physical

>I think the correct response is asking how they would get back their money if cash was stolen from their house. But stealing Bitcoins doesn't require physical access to your property. That seems like a pretty big distinction to me. Edit: And if Bitcoins are like cash, why should I bother using them? I already have cash (that I don't use very often) available to me readily. And since I get paid in dollars, what advantage do I have to use a separate currency solely for rare and unimportant transactions?

spindritf 14y ago
You can't send cash over the Internet.
- Goronmon 14y ago
  I've used Paypal in the past. Bitcoin is like cash (pseudo-anonymous, nobody can technically interfere with your transactions...) except it is digital while preserving these advantages. This is why it cannot be compared to Paypal. So, Bitcoin is like cash, except in the important ways in which it is different. And along with also gaining some more disadvantages as well. But you're right, Paypal isn't cash. But then again, neither is Bitcoin.
  - deleted 14y ago
    [deleted]
  - mrb 14y ago
    Being digital and decentralized are 2 significant advantages. Unless you are a luddite preferring to send cash in the mail!
- mrb 14y ago
  Goronmon: a Paypal account is in no way similar to cash. It can be frozen by authorities. It is centralized. It is not anonymous. Bitcoin is like cash (pseudo-anonymous, nobody can technically interfere with your transactions...) except it is digital while preserving these advantages. This is why it cannot be compared to Paypal.
mrb 14y ago
Actually, yes, stealing bitcoins will increasingly require physical access as technologies for storing them offline evolve: brainwallet, paper wallet, credit-card sized electronic bitcoin wallets (at least 2 in development). I personally think the latter is what will propulse mainstream adoption of Bitcoin, as it will make it impossible for inexperienced users to leave unsecure bitcoins on their computers.

spindritf 14y ago

You can't send cash over the Internet.

Goronmon 14y ago
I've used Paypal in the past. Bitcoin is like cash (pseudo-anonymous, nobody can technically interfere with your transactions...) except it is digital while preserving these advantages. This is why it cannot be compared to Paypal. So, Bitcoin is like cash, except in the important ways in which it is different. And along with also gaining some more disadvantages as well. But you're right, Paypal isn't cash. But then again, neither is Bitcoin.
- deleted 14y ago
  [deleted]
- mrb 14y ago
  Being digital and decentralized are 2 significant advantages. Unless you are a luddite preferring to send cash in the mail!
mrb 14y ago
Goronmon: a Paypal account is in no way similar to cash. It can be frozen by authorities. It is centralized. It is not anonymous. Bitcoin is like cash (pseudo-anonymous, nobody can technically interfere with your transactions...) except it is digital while preserving these advantages. This is why it cannot be compared to Paypal.

mrb 14y ago

Actually, yes, stealing bitcoins will increasingly require physical access as technologies for storing them offline evolve: brainwallet, paper wallet, credit-card sized electronic bitcoin wallets (at least 2 in development). I personally think the latter is what will propulse mainstream adoption of Bitcoin, as it will make it impossible for inexperienced users to leave unsecure bitcoins on their computers.