So really this is nothing more than a bitcoin themed souvenir that's valued upon the material it is made out of?
I'd take issue with that. It is not at all a souvenir. It is a currency, and not only is it bitcoin themed it has a role in the bitcoin ecosystem that is currently horribly vacant.
How is it a currency? - I can't pay for fuel with it and I can't pay for items through bitpay with it ?
Silver and gold have been currency for about 3000 years. You might be surprised how readily it is accepted. It is a lot easier to trade at point of sale than bitcoin currently, and there are more folks using it than bitcoin today.
Also how is there a vacancy in the bitcoin ecosystem?
The recent Pirateat40 case brought this point to light as well.
The claim that there is no specie for bitcoin was a point brought forward to claim that it is not money, and just a game.
The more products and services that are exchangeable for bitcoin the better for bitcoin. Each new product expands the bitcoin economy.
- That's the whole point of having a virtual P2P currency - nothing physical.
If that is the whole point of it to you, please feel welcome to boycott it, protest it, or do whatever you feel is right. For myself and many others, there are many many points to having a virtual P2P currency, and the absence of material goods denominated in bitcoin is a problem rather than a solution. What better than the oldest and most pervasive monetary commodities with a flexible exchange rate incorporated into the piece to bring the tangible value of bitcoin to a greater population?
All your doing is trying to manipulate bitcoin into something it's not. All I see is a fancy t-shirt made out of silver saying "I <3 Bitcoin"
.... good luck to you.
I deeply appreciate your well wishes, even in your disagreement or misunderstanding of the purpose of this project. It is certainly a project born out of love for Bitcoin. It is not intended as a manipulation, or any attempt to detract from the essential purpose of Bitcoin, but simply to bring it to a wider audience, to extend its reach, to create a physical and tangible reminder of Bitcoin... but most of all, to have a pocket-friendly specie piece that can be carried casually without worry that you are ruining it. Something that you can whip out at any time you transact, to offer a voluntary choice of payment.
Sure you could do that with T-shirts, but they are bulky and less durable, and less fungible and one size doesn't fit all. I am eager to see ways it can be improved or the mission clarified, so I appreciate your comments and welcome more.