I've gone ahead and setup some new tools to help with public relations.
1) A new sub-reddit devoted to the topic.
2) A #bitcoin-PR channel on freenode.
3) Requested the creation of a new forum here that would be devoted to media monitoring and public and media relations for the Bitcoin project. Please support this idea if you feel this is needed.
Topic: [FORTUNE] The clock is ticking on Bitcoin (Read 10913 times)
BTW, a good defense against Silk Road arguments would be to highlight that the majority of cash has traces of cocaine on it. Although I'm not sure they aren't working on that as we speak with Quantitative Easing..
Hard currency, 95%. The Fed are enablers and should be ashamed.
We need a section of this forum entirely dedicated to Public Relations
There, we can discuss media articles about Bitcoin, identify where the biggest dangers and misconceptions lie, deconstruct these misconceptions and come up with some snappy rebuttals.
There, we can discuss media articles about Bitcoin, identify where the biggest dangers and misconceptions lie, deconstruct these misconceptions and come up with some snappy rebuttals.
Count me in for that. I've done a lot of work in PR.
BTW, a good defense against Silk Road arguments would be to highlight that the majority of cash has traces of cocaine on it. Although I'm not sure they aren't working on that as we speak with Quantitative Easing..
But for the sake of brevity, the way I phrased it was: No one I know has used Silk Road.
With a side dish of hyperbole: "It's blatantly misleading to imply that ANYONE uses Bitcoin for such things." - that's like a substance abuser in denial
It's obvious that at least a few people have done this, otherwise the whole thing wouldn't exist. Unless it's something like an HBGary false flag operation of course, but I doubt it (even if it is, this kind of thing is bound to happen sooner or later). 0.0000000001% would equal around 0.01 dollarcent total BTW (@15 USD/BTC).Quote from: Bruce Wagner
The fact that people use it, is irrelevant to the fact that no one I know has ever told me they've used Silk Road.
Actually, it makes it irrelevant what you think about the number of people having used it, since if you have talked to many many people, then either many many people is much smaller than a significant enough sample, or it isn't but noone is admitting to having used Silk Road. This boils down to defending your earlier position, instead of validating it.
This is inaccurate. You use Tor. You enter the address. You enter your login and password. It's not some double hopscotch know the secret code game. As for me I would rather have people actually using bitcoin to buy regulated substances than using it to speculate with. Half this forum wants bitcoin to be a get rich quick scheme rather than a viable means of exchange.
A non regular computer hobbyist would find the steps you listed to be double hopscotch know the secret code game.
Writers, sometimes its hard to tell if It's Fiction or not.
Exactly one person has told me that he has been able to get the site to load. But that he's not planning on using the site --- only taking a look at it. He also told me that it was an unbelievable task to get through all the layers of security --- just to be able to read the web page.
This is inaccurate. You use Tor. You enter the address. You enter your login and password. It's not some double hopscotch know the secret code game. As for me I would rather have people actually using bitcoin to buy regulated substances than using it to speculate with. Half this forum wants bitcoin to be a get rich quick scheme rather than a viable means of exchange.
Yes. Obviously. I can't know who uses it without telling me...
But for the sake of brevity, the way I phrased it was: No one I know has used Silk Road.
And I think the point is clear.
The fact that people use it, is irrelevant to the fact that no one I know has ever told me they've used Silk Road.
It's important to let people know that:
(1) I have had contact with many many many Bitcoin users.
And
(2) Not one of them has ever told me that they've bought anything on Silk Road.
Exactly one person has told me that he has been able to get the site to load. But that he's not planning on using the site --- only taking a look at it. He also told me that it was an unbelievable task to get through all the layers of security --- just to be able to read the web page.
But for the sake of brevity, the way I phrased it was: No one I know has used Silk Road.
And I think the point is clear.
The fact that people use it, is irrelevant to the fact that no one I know has ever told me they've used Silk Road.
It's important to let people know that:
(1) I have had contact with many many many Bitcoin users.
And
(2) Not one of them has ever told me that they've bought anything on Silk Road.
Exactly one person has told me that he has been able to get the site to load. But that he's not planning on using the site --- only taking a look at it. He also told me that it was an unbelievable task to get through all the layers of security --- just to be able to read the web page.
It's still an irrelevant anecdote that reveals your agenda. The fact of the matter is that people do use bitcoin to buy drugs on Silk Road, and we have no idea exactly how much is being trafficked. It's an intellectually poor statement to make. You would do better to step down the emotional defense you seem to harbor on bitcoin. There are 1000 better ways to counter the SR assertions, #1 being to acknowledge that it occurs and that it is insanely risky because these users can potentially be traced. Also, there are orders of magnitude greaters drug transactions every day using USD, so the problem is not inherent to bitcoin.
Bottom line, they are scared.
"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."
-- Mahatma Gandhi
The Bitcoin Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/BitcoinChannel?feature=mhee
Buy stock in The Bitcoin Channel and promote Bitcoins:
http://www.empireavenue.com/eahome
Support The Bitcoin Channel by mining for it:
http://www.bitcoinplus.com/generate?for=1691348
"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."
-- Mahatma Gandhi
The Bitcoin Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/BitcoinChannel?feature=mhee
Buy stock in The Bitcoin Channel and promote Bitcoins:
http://www.empireavenue.com/eahome
Support The Bitcoin Channel by mining for it:
http://www.bitcoinplus.com/generate?for=1691348
Playing on people's greed with the price angle is a terrible way to promote Bitcoin because you are pulling in the wrong people before the market is ready. Even if you are only interested in driving the price up to whatever level you have set for yourself, the market is simply not liquid enough yet for the sharks and amateurs who will walk away quickly giving it a bad name. We need users without profit motives and businesses who can rely on them, without the daily dose of fear regarding the worth of their business.
Well said.
Yes. Obviously. I can't know who uses it without telling me...
But for the sake of brevity, the way I phrased it was: No one I know has used Silk Road.
And I think the point is clear.
The fact that people use it, is irrelevant to the fact that no one I know has ever told me they've used Silk Road.
It's important to let people know that:
(1) I have had contact with many many many Bitcoin users.
And
(2) Not one of them has ever told me that they've bought anything on Silk Road.
Exactly one person has told me that he has been able to get the site to load. But that he's not planning on using the site --- only taking a look at it. He also told me that it was an unbelievable task to get through all the layers of security --- just to be able to read the web page.
But for the sake of brevity, the way I phrased it was: No one I know has used Silk Road.
And I think the point is clear.
The fact that people use it, is irrelevant to the fact that no one I know has ever told me they've used Silk Road.
It's important to let people know that:
(1) I have had contact with many many many Bitcoin users.
And
(2) Not one of them has ever told me that they've bought anything on Silk Road.
Exactly one person has told me that he has been able to get the site to load. But that he's not planning on using the site --- only taking a look at it. He also told me that it was an unbelievable task to get through all the layers of security --- just to be able to read the web page.
Bruce, keep fighting the good fight. You're on the front line so you're going to take some heat. Many on this board want BTC to succeed but really can let their emotion overtake them (as you did
) and become accusatory before trying diplomacy. It's easier to attack and push and shove than to have an adult conversation.That being said just take the advice (which I feel you are doing), refine your position and keep moving forward. Many on this board are very young and lack people and communication skills so they just want to fry you because it's easy. Well it's also a cheap shot. Others make really good points so just take it all with a little more than a grain of salt.
Thanks for your efforts.
Yes. Obviously. I can't know who uses it without telling me...
But for the sake of brevity, the way I phrased it was: No one I know has used Silk Road.
And I think the point is clear.
The fact that people use it, is irrelevant to the fact that no one I know has ever told me they've used Silk Road.
It's important to let people know that:
(1) I have had contact with many many many Bitcoin users.
And
(2) Not one of them has ever told me that they've bought anything on Silk Road.
Exactly one person has told me that he has been able to get the site to load. But that he's not planning on using the site --- only taking a look at it. He also told me that it was an unbelievable task to get through all the layers of security --- just to be able to read the web page.
But for the sake of brevity, the way I phrased it was: No one I know has used Silk Road.
And I think the point is clear.
The fact that people use it, is irrelevant to the fact that no one I know has ever told me they've used Silk Road.
It's important to let people know that:
(1) I have had contact with many many many Bitcoin users.
And
(2) Not one of them has ever told me that they've bought anything on Silk Road.
Exactly one person has told me that he has been able to get the site to load. But that he's not planning on using the site --- only taking a look at it. He also told me that it was an unbelievable task to get through all the layers of security --- just to be able to read the web page.
Bruce - re-reading my post, it looks like this was a personal attack on you, and I guess it somewhat was. This was not my intent and I do apologize. I actually enjoy reading your stuff and think you bring a ton (way more than I have, or am likely to!) of value to the community.
I just hate to see Bitcoin develop a PR problem because we as as a community can't do something as simple as having reasonable, respectful, and *truthful* conversations with detractors. Trying to tell people not a single person has used a bitcoin for Silk Road purchases for example I believe is counter-productive to the cause - it's a completely made-up fact that is demonstrably false.
Otherwise, let the revolution continue! It takes all types, and the community diversity is what will make this idea take hold and become strong!
-Phil
I just hate to see Bitcoin develop a PR problem because we as as a community can't do something as simple as having reasonable, respectful, and *truthful* conversations with detractors. Trying to tell people not a single person has used a bitcoin for Silk Road purchases for example I believe is counter-productive to the cause - it's a completely made-up fact that is demonstrably false.
Otherwise, let the revolution continue! It takes all types, and the community diversity is what will make this idea take hold and become strong!
-Phil
I said: Not a single person I KNOW has used Silk Road.
Bruce, you don't KNOW that either. The best you can say is, 'Not a single person I KNOW told me they were using Silk Road.'
I heard about Bitcoin through the Sacramento Bee article about Silk Road.
Anyway, no press is bad press when it comes to Bitcoins.
bruce?
you are kind of a fanatic - and that's ok.
but let me give you a tip - because you're becoming a very high-profile, go-to guy as far as the media is concerned.
get contracts for interviews. real contracts, with... like... lawyers. and don't give any more interviews without final cut: that is, it doesn't print or air without your ok. the slant of a piece on Bitcoin is irrelevant; but you need to keep a firm hold on context, exact quotes, and facts.
you are kind of a fanatic - and that's ok.
but let me give you a tip - because you're becoming a very high-profile, go-to guy as far as the media is concerned.
get contracts for interviews. real contracts, with... like... lawyers. and don't give any more interviews without final cut: that is, it doesn't print or air without your ok. the slant of a piece on Bitcoin is irrelevant; but you need to keep a firm hold on context, exact quotes, and facts.
This is what I also do and it is the only way how it works
This article was obviously a smear campaign to make Bitcoin look bad.
That seems a bit harsh to me, but it might be true. I think most news organizations will naturally develop an editorial narrative on issues, and journalists in this 24/7 newsloop culture with pressures to get stories quickly done will lazily follow this narrative. This is hardly a golden age of investigative journalism, after all.
It might be informative if people who are interviewed ask the journalist outright what's their 'take' on Bitcoin before the interview starts.
Bruce - re-reading my post, it looks like this was a personal attack on you, and I guess it somewhat was. This was not my intent and I do apologize. I actually enjoy reading your stuff and think you bring a ton (way more than I have, or am likely to!) of value to the community.
I just hate to see Bitcoin develop a PR problem because we as as a community can't do something as simple as having reasonable, respectful, and *truthful* conversations with detractors. Trying to tell people not a single person has used a bitcoin for Silk Road purchases for example I believe is counter-productive to the cause - it's a completely made-up fact that is demonstrably false.
Otherwise, let the revolution continue! It takes all types, and the community diversity is what will make this idea take hold and become strong!
-Phil
I just hate to see Bitcoin develop a PR problem because we as as a community can't do something as simple as having reasonable, respectful, and *truthful* conversations with detractors. Trying to tell people not a single person has used a bitcoin for Silk Road purchases for example I believe is counter-productive to the cause - it's a completely made-up fact that is demonstrably false.
Otherwise, let the revolution continue! It takes all types, and the community diversity is what will make this idea take hold and become strong!
-Phil
I said: Not a single person I KNOW has used Silk Road.
of course he is correct ... get your money out quick ... i need a hot buyin opportunity.... all publicity is good publicity...
when profiting from my trade tips please make a tiny donation...
1Li6QGLvkBgdK7TYU6NVgK3RMP3ZYDCcn3
when profiting from my trade tips please make a tiny donation...
1Li6QGLvkBgdK7TYU6NVgK3RMP3ZYDCcn3
(3) "....and many of its uses have nothing to do with Silk Road." // BLATANTLY MISLEADING. 0.0000000001% of its use has anything to do with Silk Road. NO ONE I KNOW has ever used Silk Road. It's blatantly misleading to imply that ANYONE uses Bitcoin for such things. It's absolutely irresponsible reporting.
No, you are misleading. You try to pretend that grey and black markets aren't important part of Bitcoin economy. They are.
Even speculators holding Bitcoins don't like when Silk Road goes down.
1. It is Silk Road that brought so much mainstream media attention last month. Not selling images and jokes on the forum.
2. Show me an online market with real goods sold exclusively for Bitcoins with more transactions than on Silk Road. Well, you don't know how much has been sold on Silk Road because you never visited it. So you talk crap.
Also, your website is marketing hype and crap misleading people too, with stuff like "Bitcoin's Meteoric Rise in Value: 583,900% per Year" (SPECULATIVE HYPE TO MAKE PEOPLE BUY ALREADY OVERPRICED CURRENCY), "It's as free as email. Bitcoin transactions are free." (BLANTANT LIE), "It's more secure than online banking" (LOL), "It's as anonymous as you want it to be." (THEN CLOSE YOUR EYES AND REPEAT: I WANT IT TO BE ANONYMOUS!!!) and tiny fine prints at the end of your website.
bruce?
you are kind of a fanatic - and that's ok.
but let me give you a tip - because you're becoming a very high-profile, go-to guy as far as the media is concerned.
get contracts for interviews. real contracts, with... like... lawyers. and don't give any more interviews without final cut: that is, it doesn't print or air without your ok. the slant of a piece on Bitcoin is irrelevant; but you need to keep a firm hold on context, exact quotes, and facts.
you are kind of a fanatic - and that's ok.
but let me give you a tip - because you're becoming a very high-profile, go-to guy as far as the media is concerned.
get contracts for interviews. real contracts, with... like... lawyers. and don't give any more interviews without final cut: that is, it doesn't print or air without your ok. the slant of a piece on Bitcoin is irrelevant; but you need to keep a firm hold on context, exact quotes, and facts.
Interesting Advice. Who to contact about this? What type of attorney? Referrals?
Also, please note that the email in the original post here was written in anger and in haste. I apologize for the caps and the omg's....
It was also written AFTER the article was published.
It was not the "input", as someone suggested.
It was my response after reading the finished article already published.
This article was obviously a smear campaign to make Bitcoin look bad.
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