Topic: I talked to some people at college about bitcoin and they laughed at me. - page 5. (Read 7024 times)

Also I think focusing on the public ledger aspect, rather than the "bitcoins," is less likely to draw laughter. The Money is Memory thesis is very powerful. It sidesteps many typical objections.

So let us not forget the example of slashdot, and remember the blockchain; The undisputed record of Bitcoin's history, everyone has to verify for themselves and work out the proof of work to make sure it is valid. That is the best way, use your judgement, use your intuition and work out the logic to build the next step. That is what I am doing, i see the system as sound, could it be better yeah for sure, but that is because I understand it and know the need for it in today's world.  

don't forget your own logic, don't stop adding to your own personal Blockchain, the record of your history from which you build upon. no sense in taking someone elses advice without doing a little thorough thinking.

I don't mind if people laugh. Bitcoin is a funny-sounding idea, after all. When I first heard about it, if I'd been in a different mindset at the time I might've laughed, too, but I knew I didn't understand it enough to decide it was ridiculous for sure, even though it sure sounded that way. Fortunately the person who mentioned it (I believe it was MoonShadow or Peter Surda, on another forum) was obviously intelligent so I pretty much knew it couldn't be as ridiculous as first impressions made it seem. If it was a misguided project, it had to be for a more subtle reason that these otherwise intelligent folks failed to catch - I noted to myself.

Still, I'm good at giving things the benefit of the doubt; most people just aren't that careful.

One thing I'm always sure to tell people first is, "When I first heard of Bitcoin it sounded totally ridiculous. I was ready to write it off completely but I had a few lingering questions. I looked into those and realized there could be something to it. Eventually something clicked and I saw that it deserved at least some research. A few days of intense research made me realize it was actually probably legit, for many counterintuitive reasons that require some understanding of both ecnomics and cryptography to fully appreciate. Eventually with further research all my questions were answered and I realized it was definitely legit and would probably change the world."

Ay, same things happen to me.

You got to be well respected before people listen to you.

That's what happened to the first people who tried to share their interest for Bitcoin on Slashdot. They were ridiculed, and the comment section turned into an enormous heap of scorn and sarcasm. I was there and remember asking to myself why people like slashdoters who have once lived the situation of being considered like lunatics can become so arrogant and do exactly the same to other people. That day, I ignored the comments and started to mine Bitcoin, but 99% of people on the thread just flocked with the bullies and missed the opportunity of becoming a second generation early adopter.
But now look at slashdot comments when a Bitcoin discussion is started: where is the scorn? Where is the sarcasm? It was all replaced by bitterness and cynism: people regret hat they didn't listen. Now they just want to avoid the subject. They were among the first people informed about Bitcoin and they just fucked up, and now they can only blame themselves.
So don't worry, you did your job by giving them the opportunity to be open minded and jump on the bandwagon. If they don't, they will likely regret it bitterly in a few years and you can just give them a pat in the back and pay them a round of drinks with all the money you have made.

"If you think I'm crazy, then let's have a little wager.

Let's wager one-tenth of a Bitcoin that, one year from now, I will be right about this.

If I'm wrong ... let's see here, one-tenth of a Bitcoin is roughly $20 right now - so, if I'm wrong, in a year, I'll pay you $20. Because obviously, if you're right and I'm wrong, then one-tenth of a Bitcoin will be worth less than that. So that'll be fair.

If you're wrong, however, one year from today you will pay me one-tenth of a Bitcoin.

Here, I know a notary public. Let's put this down on paper, just to be honest."

Don't worry about it. I told someone about Bitcoin and they replied "Sounds like some people have too much spare time on their hands."

*shrug*, I haven't brought it up in conversation again with that person.

You have to accept that some people just won't be interested.

In my experience everyone, it is better to not be discouraged by the reactions of others, after all  was it not Thomas Edison that said, " We don't know 1 millionth of 1 percent of anything." If we think about that statement how can anyone be sure of what they know? or have just learned? No, you master it first, become an example, make your cash and remember Bitcoin is not the only show in town... it's the BATTERING RAM that will trash the gates for other cryptocurrencies... don't forget about them.

The total system is composed of various different forms of money, Bitcoin is the gateway into fiat. With merged mining many different schemes can be used like Demurrage, Devcoins charity system, Feathercoin and others... consider all the cryptocurrencies and you'll know there is a lot more money out there than just Bitcoin's 2 billion dollars.

I to am ridiculed by it... but I got Bitcoins, we'll see who has the last laugh... sure make people feel uncomfortable when they think about it someday.

I wouldn't stress about it. These people sound like they are taking their insecurities out on you.

So, the guy who invested in Facebook after its IPO did so no earlier than day two when it was first available on the secondary market, thus was aware that it was going nowhere, but he's not interested in a money making machine name Monarch because...

In my experience, the laughing has decreased and the respect has increased with more and more serious inquiry. And I still get to keep the nickname of Mr. Bitcoin 

Not everyone has the foresight to understand the possibilities that new technology can bring. I've had many people laugh at me but a few good people will listen. These are the ones who aren't closed to new ideas. If you think about it, changing a person's concept of money can drastically affect their perspective on how the world functions In a real deep way.

that's great. it's when everyone and his grandma will invest in btc that i would go for the exit.

People don't really take it seriously yet. I've tried to explain the concept to a few friends but they still think the whole thing is BS.

ignorance is bliss...

During this last "crash" I told my coworkers, "hey guys probably last chance, want some cheap coins?" and instead of the usual "no" this time I got "no I told you". So I guess, I must be boring with this bitcoin theme even when it's been at least 6 months since I last brought it up. Ok, no more feeling stupid when trying to help—fuck em. One day they'll come asking and I'll be glad to answer but until then, I'm not saying another single word.

Ask them if they sit and cry all day as their fiat wealth is inflated to all hell.

People are thought whole life to cherish money (in paper form). Thats why it is so hard to explain, I am not trying any more. I just count the money 

they also started teasing me when I showed them my price chart app on my phone, they were like " do you sit there and watch it all day and cheer when it goes up"

Who made the money? You!

Feel good😄

Dont worry so much about that what others say. When you get older you give a shit on what they say. Its good to spread the word.