Hi all -
I have been in correspondence with the people who are organizing aid for people in Kiev, via Bitcoin donations. There were a few articles written about their efforts a couple weeks ago. The Auroracoin thing was super interesting, but a side of me said "Don't we actually want them to adopt Bitcoin right now?" I didn't think much of it. No harm done I guess.
Next thing I hear is (of course) some unoriginal people wanting to get rich have come up with Kievcoin or UkraineCoin. I realize there is an ongoing debate about alt coins ruining Bitcoins potential. But here is an example of where Bitcoin is what is actually needed. The people of Kiev are suffering. Even dying. They need a currency that has an infrastructure, products, and services so they can buy things to aid their fight.
http://www.coindesk.com/hold-ukraine-protestors-turn-bitcoin-fundraising/ I realize some of you only give a shit about yourselves, and you want to get rich. And there's more money in it for you to create a clone coin and market an air drop. But this doesn't help the people of Ukraine. If you are going to do a air drop, do one with Bitcoin. Can you imagine the headlines if some rich bastard took $1 million and printed out 200,000 paper wallets with $5 worth of bitcoin on them? Seeding all of Kiev with Bitcoins, suddenly causing an entire nation to adopt bitcoin on the "underground"?
*THAT* would be monumental.
*THAT* would be humanitarian aid.
This irritates the shit out of me for some reason. We've got a viable currency that is taking hold around the world, and you're air dropping some no-name coin that has zero commerce. Stop it.
I have no problem with a bunch of teenagers playing with alt coins, pump and dumps, etc. I am an avid Alt-coin miner myself. But this is real life. People's actual ability to survive. This isn't a playground. Some of you need to remember the big picture. Its Bitcoin we need to propagate around the world first. If you want to help the people of Ukraine - respond to their pleas for Bitcoins.
-B-