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Topic: GEM - as a potential stable value currency - page 3. (Read 6299 times)

Red
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October 12, 2011, 12:08:00 PM
#29
I edited the above couple of posts for clarity. Just-in-case there are people who don't free like talking about solidcoin. Smiley
Red
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October 11, 2011, 07:44:16 PM
#28
(Edit) The previous post was too long so I removed this boring beginning. I'm putting it here for reference incase anyone doesn't get the above bits.

---------------
Economic Dynamics

This section is about adjusting monetary policy in the face of extrinsic inflation and deflation. By extrinsic I mean GEM pricing changes that result from a mismatch between the value of goods available to be traded and the number of GEMs available to be traded.

The hardest thing about monetary policy is the shear number of hidden variables. Nobody knows which GEMs are "available" to be traded vs those which are lost or deliberately hoarded. Nobody knows how much total goods are available to be traded. Nobody even really knows the system wide break even price for mining GEMs.

However, it is easy for humans to measure the success of the system. It's simply a matter of monitoring prices over time. To avoid arguments over terminology, I'll use the following definitions.

--Definitions---
If before prices were:
1 GEM = 1 loaf = $x

Then, if afterward prices are:
1 GEM = 1 loaf = $y
This means pricing is stable and have met our goals. The GEM supply is "Just Right" no matter what direction dollar value moved.

Else, if afterward prices are:
1/2 GEM = 1 loaf = $y
Then goods pricing, with respect to GEM, has deflated. The GEM supply is "Too Low". We should mine more GEMs and discourage GEM hoarding to increase GEM availability.

Else, if afterward prices are:
2 GEM = 1 loaf = $y 
Then goods pricing, with respect to GEM, has inflated. The GEM supply is "Too High". We should destroy GEMs and encourage GEM hoarding to decrease GEM availability.
---------------
Red
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October 11, 2011, 06:06:00 PM
#27
Second Order (Economic) Dynamics

Rather than trying to detect basket-of-goods prices, GEM leaves that to humans. Instead GEM detects the "human" consensus on the GEM supply itself (too high, just right, too low). To do this, we *require* human mining behavior to follow personal self-interest. Each miner knows their own mining costs and can determine their personal ROI on any GEM transaction. Stable monetary policy is means actively balancing the natural pressure to increase the GEM supply, with a downward counter-pressure to stop runaway increases.

Upward: Each miner is allowed to non-competitively mine GEMs whenever they see profit. When their personal ROI goes to zero, they stop mining.
Downward: GEM uses a fixed percentage transaction fee to avoid runaway GEM supply growth. The particular fixed percentage is probably important, but not for this conversation. The transaction fee is destroyed.


Primary Monetary Detection

We detect the system wide mining consensus by measuring total GEMs mined versus total transaction fees over fixed periods. (Say bitcoin like, 10 minute periods.) That gives the ratio (total mined/trans fees) that I'll use in examples below.

(total mined/trading fees) = 1
If you are mining exactly what it take to replace your fees then there is a 100% consensus that the money supply is "just right". Who should receive the newly mined GEMs is NOT really a monetary policy decision. But in GEM's case, the miners keep their spoils.

(total mined/trading fees) > 1
This ratio is unbounded, so it has no way to express 100% consensus that the GEM supply is "too low". But the farther this ration moves above one, the closer you get to that consensus. The farther this ration tends above one, the faster GEMs are being added to the economy.

(total mined/trading fees) < 1
If this ratio is zero, there is a 100% consensus that there are too many GEMs currently available for circulation. The closer this ratio gets to zero, the faster surplus GEMs are being destroyed by the transaction fee.



Dynamic Monetary Adjustment - Springs and Shocks

Note that the above primary forces tend to act linearly. However, there will be times with more dramatic economic changes. (say Walmart starts taking GEMs) In these cases we'll need for more dynamic changes in the GEM supply. In support of this, GEM provides two periodic non-linear forces. The "Deflation Spending Subsidy" and "Inflation Panic Tax".

(total mined/trading fees) = 1
If you are mining exactly  what it take to replace your fees (ratio near 1), there are no additional taxes or subsidies necessary.

(total mined/trading fees) >> 1
If this ratio tends far above 1, GEM aims to do three additional things:
1. Avoid removing GEMs from circulation by rebating fees.
2. Encourage hesitant buyers to buy NOW! (Stop hoarding GEMs)
3. Discourage sellers from panicked selling of goods. (Hoard goods)

As this ration tends above 1, the fixed transaction fee fights against our monetary policy goals. It is destroying GEMs during a period where everyone is in agreement that more GEMs need to be mined. GEM mitigates the consequences of this through a deflation spending subsidy. The goal is to redistribute the transaction fee to those it should never have been taken from.

(total mined/trading fees) << 1
If this ratio tends far below 1, GEM aims to do three things:
1. Destroy additional surplus GEMs, by taxing panicking buyers.
2. Encourage potential buyers NOT to buy. (Hoard their GEMs until prices recover)
3. Encourage potential sellers to sell NOW! (Stop hoarding goods)

Psychologically, I charge the *panic* tax ON TOP OF the price the seller is asking. As opposed to requiring the seller to hide that included tax in his price. The former tends to make clear to *panicked* buyers that prices are *already* considered too high. It also makes it clear to sellers that NOW is a great time to actually close the deal. The later tends to encourage sellers to inflate their prices (which is what we are fighting against). And if they think prices are moving higher, they are further encouraged to hoard goods.


Deflation Spending Subsidy
In times of deflation, when the money supply is too low. GEM levies an additional deflation spending subsidy in proportion to the standard ratio above. (total mined/trading fees) If mining exceeds trading fees, the mining wealth is shared with those who continue to spend in the face of deflation. The details are hand wavy now, but the concept is to rebate all transactions fees at say (2 mined/1 fee). And to rebate say double fees at (3 mined/1 fee). This encourages spenders and discourages hoarders.

Inflation Panic Tax
In times of inflation, when the money supply is too high. GEM levies an additional inflation panic tax in proportion to the inverse of the ratio above. (trading fees/total mined) As mining moves to zero, the surcharge moves to infinity. This should provide a strong disincentive to panicked sellers. The details are hand wavy now, but that is the concept.

-----

Going Rogue

Should miners choose to work against their own self-interest, GEM adjusts to make sure each rogue miner's electric company penalties become as high as necessary to end their bad behavior. If the award reduction/difficulty increase keeps everyone else aligned with Koomey's law. (for argument 1 GEM = 10 kwh) Then the run away miner is now mining at 1 GEM = 11 kwh. If he continues to do so causing a GEM glut and price inflation then he is compounding his loss because his 1 GEM buys < $1.

If enough people mine at a loss, it will temporarily trick the system into thinking the consensus is to add more money into circulation. The deflation spending subsidy will begin dumping money into the market. This will temporarily increase inflation for everyone. But inflation hurts the miner's profits, while the subsidy compensates others spenders. This further compounds the runaway miner's losses.

There is no way a runaway miner can profit. Like in Vegas, a time will come when he has to pay the piper. And that electric company piper is a real bitch!
Red
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October 11, 2011, 05:16:20 PM
#26
Oh, so difficulty is solely dependent on time? Hashing power does not affect it at all?

Yes, that is correct.

Mining becomes non-competitive and based purely on the self-interest of each miner. This self-interest is held in check by very real electric bills.


Yeah, it's kinda hard for me to visualize how it works without the whole picture. And no need to go out of your way to compare it to my idea. My log curve is flawed anyway in that it will tend to deflation in the long term because it requires Koomey's Law to continually accelerate to remain stable.

I'm typing it now. Need a few more minutes.
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
October 11, 2011, 05:06:41 PM
#25
I don't like any currency that involves mining.  Especially with my sour grapes of mining solidcoin for the 1st 8 hours with 50 KH/s and getting nothing but shares.

Interesting would be a cryptocurrency without mining. You get coins for doing work etc. !?
hero member
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Merit: 501
October 11, 2011, 03:43:01 PM
#24
I don't like any currency that involves mining.  Especially with my sour grapes of mining solidcoin for the 1st 8 hours with 50 KH/s and getting nothing but shares.
hero member
Activity: 798
Merit: 1000
October 11, 2011, 03:22:42 PM
#23
Why, pray tell, would I care if your totally vague statement is right or wrong? I could point out various posts on this board that claimed bitcoins would be worth $100 by now or the end of the year. I don't care if you think a ponzi scheme is an investment, but I will be doing my best to educate newcomers that it is not--even though the price of bitcoin has done a pretty good job by itself.
legendary
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Ron Gross
October 11, 2011, 02:37:52 PM
#22
There was a risk in investing money and time in Facebook's development.

So how does anyone other than satoshi bear that risk for bitcoin? How do people joining a website or mining some coins for a couple dollars in electricity bear a risk? ohnoos I wasted $3 to mine 50k coins...

Quote
So yes, there's a risk, and appropriate rewards. My subjective belief is that (Risk X Potential Reward) in Bitcoin currently outweighs any other investment I know.

And your subjective belief is completely unclouded by the fact that for that reward to increase, bitcoin needs more suckers who need to be convinced that they too will earn this wonderful return. Roll Eyes



Please, if you use Google Calendar or some other system, set up a reminder for yourself for ... let's say 3 10/10/2014, to check back at this thread.
If I'm right, at Bitcoin is worth significantly more than 4$ a piece, drop me a line at [email protected].

Red - no worries. I just heard the "bitcoin is ponzi scheme" argument a bit too much, and am perhaps a bit sensitive. I can see the humor Smiley
Red
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October 11, 2011, 01:10:37 PM
#21
Is this better?

I wasn't attmpting to mock you or derail my own thread. I just thought your particular "phrasiology" seemed humorous and worthy of a shared giggle. No harm intended.
hero member
Activity: 798
Merit: 1000
October 11, 2011, 01:04:04 PM
#20
There was a risk in investing money and time in Facebook's development.

So how does anyone other than satoshi bear that risk for bitcoin? How do people joining a website or mining some coins for a couple dollars in electricity bear a risk? ohnoos I wasted $3 to mine 50k coins...

Quote
So yes, there's a risk, and appropriate rewards. My subjective belief is that (Risk X Potential Reward) in Bitcoin currently outweighs any other investment I know.

And your subjective belief is completely unclouded by the fact that for that reward to increase, bitcoin needs more suckers who need to be convinced that they too will earn this wonderful return. Roll Eyes

legendary
Activity: 1358
Merit: 1003
Ron Gross
October 11, 2011, 12:55:38 PM
#19
There was a risk to joining facebook in 2004? There was a risk to joining bitcoin in 2009?

There was a risk in investing money and time in Facebook's development.

Right now, if you'll ask 99 out of 100 people, they'll say "there's a risk to invest in Bitcoin in 2011. It's a ponzi scheme. It will not be worth anything within a few years.".

So yes, there's a risk, and appropriate rewards. My subjective belief is that (Risk X Potential Reward) in Bitcoin currently outweighs any other investment I know.
hero member
Activity: 798
Merit: 1000
October 11, 2011, 12:51:46 PM
#18
There was a risk to joining facebook in 2004? There was a risk to joining bitcoin in 2009?
legendary
Activity: 1358
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Ron Gross
October 11, 2011, 12:46:58 PM
#17
So in my subjective experience, there is still plenty of room for Bitcoin to grow into. Not as a ponzi scheme, but as something even late adopters will benefit from ... but of course, the earlier you join, the higher the rewards ... and risks.

OK, admit it. What you wrote was funny! It's not a ponzi scheme. It's multi-level marketing!

Imagine you're now in Feburary 2004:

Quote
So in my subjective experience, there is still plenty of room for Facebook to grow into. Not as a ponzi scheme, but as something even late adopters will benefit from ... but of course, the earlier you join, the higher the rewards ... and risks.

Is this better?
Red
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October 11, 2011, 12:44:00 PM
#16
So in my subjective experience, there is still plenty of room for Bitcoin to grow into. Not as a ponzi scheme, but as something even late adopters will benefit from ... but of course, the earlier you join, the higher the rewards ... and risks.

OK, admit it. What you wrote was funny! It's not a ponzi scheme. It's multi-level marketing!
Red
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Activity: 210
Merit: 115
October 11, 2011, 12:41:00 PM
#15
So how would the reward algorithm look like? Sounds like it's the same concept as this but looked from another angle. What differences in dynamics can you see between both methods?

I think what you are saying is very similar to what I'm suggesting. I see two slight differences.

You are optimizing against computational speed (MHash/s), I'm optimizing against computational efficiency (MHash/ws). (One watt second = one joule) This in practicality is a very minor difference. Moore's Law and Koomey's Law are both exponential and very close cousins.

You are benchmarking against combined instantaneous hashing speed of all nodes. I am benchmarking against time. I think in both cases, we are both making the same presumption that future technology improvements follow Moore's/Koomey's exponential curve.

I wish I could tell you the differences I see. Quite frankly, I didn't have a complete grasp of what you were suggesting at the time. That was mostly because I didn't have a complete grasp of what I am suggesting at that time either!  Smiley You're curve idea might very well turn out to be better.

There is lots I don't like about what I'm suggesting. Personally, I hate the idea of burning all that electricity just to make a GEM. However, once I realized the math might lead to stability, I thought it might make a good starting place for discussion.


7) Difficulty never declines.

What's the rationale behind this?

I'm basically benchmarking efficiency against time. Time doesn't go backwards so efficiency never gets worse. Once a mining rig is built that can mine 1 GEM for (X) joules, that rig will never mine 1 GEM at (>X) joules in the future.


Won't this make extrinsic inflation extremely hazardous?  

I deal with that in the next section. Basically by adding a transaction fee to NULL, to exert constant downward monetary pressure. And subsidies to compensate for the fee when it would be counter productive.

Are we ready for that discussion? I'd like to have it if only to compare and contrast with your idea. I think each could help clarify the dynamics of the other, possibly leading to easier explanations of why one is better than the other.
legendary
Activity: 1358
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Ron Gross
October 11, 2011, 12:38:01 PM
#14
I said "5 for a dollar" or 20 cents each. I think the week before bitcoin got slashdotted, the coins were between 500 and 50 for a dollar. There was no exchange, just people making deals in the forum. Meaning, the real "early adopters" were throwing them around like candy.

I see, my bad.

I'm not saying they'll never go up from their current prices. I just think bitcoin is well past the early adopter section of your bell curve.

I'm a rather vocal spokesmen for Bitcoin among my social circle. I've been blogging about it for the last six months.
I've posted status updates to Facebook and Google+. I talked to a numerous amount of people about it personally.

Still, less than a handful of the people I know actually put any significant money into it. Most of my friends are hackers or geeks in some sense of the way or another, so imagine how little "ordinary Joes" have been exposed to it.

So in my subjective experience, there is still plenty of room for Bitcoin to grow into. Not as a ponzi scheme, but as something even late adopters will benefit from ... but of course, the earlier you join, the higher the rewards ... and risks.

Also, many short-sighted people will continue to lose money by buying in, watching the price decline, and deciding "this is it" and quitting. Bitcoin should be treated as a long-term investment, that you're willing to fully lose, not as something where you can game the market and extract some money from the next fool ... because you can't (on average).

Regarding price stability - if any merchant (e.g. Silk Road users) want to user Bitcoin as an anonymous tool right now, but without being exposed to its volatility, they can immediately and automatically sell any Bitcoin they earn. Although ... I admit this is currently not perfect since Bitcoins can be tracked (there isn't yet a good laundry service), so they run the risk of their Mt. Gox account being seized at one point, and further connections made. It's much safe for them not to sell Bitcoins right now, but that mandates a certain exposure to an unstable currency.

I guess this answers my question and supports my premise at the same time.

It seems like few are using bitcoin as a currency, but those who are have to use it like a poor western union. (dollars in, dollars out) If people are not speculators, there seems little reason to hold BTC in your wallet just-in-case you might want to buy something.


Right now I believe this is true. I think the most important reason to hold Bitcoin right now is as an investment, nothing more. Oh, and because it's fun!
This will change.
Red
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October 11, 2011, 11:54:34 AM
#13
I respect this opinion. But that was what everyone was saying when I was here more then a year ago. Bitcoins were 5 for a dollar then.

Amm ... Bitcoin prices a year ago seems to be a fraction of what they're now. BItcoins were 5 dollars then? Where???

I said "5 for a dollar" or 20 cents each. I think the week before bitcoin got slashdotted, the coins were between 500 and 50 for a dollar. There was no exchange, just people making deals in the forum. Meaning, the real "early adopters" were throwing them around like candy.

I'm not saying they'll never go up from their current prices. I just think bitcoin is well past the early adopter section of your bell curve.

Regarding price stability - if any merchant (e.g. Silk Road users) want to user Bitcoin as an anonymous tool right now, but without being exposed to its volatility, they can immediately and automatically sell any Bitcoin they earn. Although ... I admit this is currently not perfect since Bitcoins can be tracked (there isn't yet a good laundry service), so they run the risk of their Mt. Gox account being seized at one point, and further connections made. It's much safe for them not to sell Bitcoins right now, but that mandates a certain exposure to an unstable currency.

I guess this answers my question and supports my premise at the same time.

It seems like few are using bitcoin as a currency, but those who are have to use it like a poor western union. (dollars in, dollars out) If people are not speculators, there seems little reason to hold BTC in your wallet just-in-case you might want to buy something.
legendary
Activity: 1358
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Ron Gross
October 11, 2011, 02:46:08 AM
#12
Bitcoin are still at the very early adopter phase.

I respect this opinion. But that was what everyone was saying when I was here more then a year ago. Bitcoins were 5 for a dollar then.

Amm ... Bitcoin prices a year ago seems to be a fraction of what they're now. BItcoins were 5 dollars then? Where???

2. They (IMHO) are still profitable as a long term investment, and this is the prime reason newcomers will start buying/mining them, beyond academic curiosity.

This should be a clue that things are well beyond the early adopter phase. A year ago in that phase people said things like, "I have no idea if this will become anything. but its cool! Why don't we throw all our excess coins in a fountain?" Nothing pragmatic in early adopter sentiments.

My belief (that Bitcoin is under-valued right now) is obviously not shared by the market. The market thinks its value is $4-5. So, if I'm right, and the market is wrong, Bitcoin will be worth a lot more in ten years.

As time passes, we'll see more and more legitimate uses, but it will become progressively easier and safer to do so, and in parallel less lucrative to invest in.

Still waiting on "legitimate" uses, but I was encouraged to hear of even "illegitimate" uses like Silk Road. At least some people are trying to use bitcoins as actual money! Where do those folks get their training? I don't see a lot of chatter among them here.


Regarding price stability - if any merchant (e.g. Silk Road users) want to user Bitcoin as an anonymous tool right now, but without being exposed to its volatility, they can immediately and automatically sell any Bitcoin they earn. Although ... I admit this is currently not perfect since Bitcoins can be tracked (there isn't yet a good laundry service), so they run the risk of their Mt. Gox account being seized at one point, and further connections made. It's much safe for them not to sell Bitcoins right now, but that mandates a certain exposure to an unstable currency.

I hope it's just a matter of time.
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
October 10, 2011, 11:51:53 PM
#11
Yep. Anyone who sees Bitcoin at $30 then at $5 will think immediately it is a scam. Price stability will make it much more adoptable by merchants etc. to be used as a real currency not just a nerd / speculator toy.

I agree that value stability makes coins seem much more like traditional money to the average user. I'm just wondering if there are any "average users" actually using any of the coins.

Is there a forum anywhere that teaches people how to just use bitcoins to buy stuff? I mean how does the average Joe with a $10 bill learn the wonders of buying a cheeseburger with bitcoins?

Good point. Maybe someone should create like a guide or something etc. !?
Red
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October 10, 2011, 09:01:31 PM
#10
I appreciate the direct answer to my question!

It is way premature for any attempt at a "completely fair currency" like GEM, because there's no way it could acquire the critical mass of users.
Perhaps after the Bitcoin revolution hits mainstream ... although by then it would be too late, because Bitcoin's value has stablized.

This is why I don't see a future to any new currency that early adopters can't profit from.

Clearly you are correct. GEM couldn't acquire a critical mass of users recruiting only from this forum.

But what about Silk Road bitcoin users and the like? They are not attempting to profit as early adopters. They are attempting to profit from actual business. Surely they don't like selling $100 of product and only receiving $90 by the time they get the coins to the exchange. (Exaggeration for effect)
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