Why would an average person actually choose to use Bitcoin?

[Rob E]

An " average " person  wouldn't use bitcoin because they wouldn't know what it means .. Your'e aiming at the wrong level wrong target " Average " people are just that average they do average things think average thoughts do average things live average lives .. they are half done .. Bit coin is not for * Average* people  .. just like the start of a revolution's isn't  for * average* people ..

[Rudd-O]

Exactly.  "Average" people get killed or gulag'd in standard revolutions, and get left behind in peaceful ones.

[Rassah]

just out of curiosity... besides the people who are keeping BTC for investment purposes, what type of items do you think the average person is buying ?

Of the ones I meet, I have no idea. All have been young, and some are tech savy, some are not. If I was to guess, I'd say drugs, BitTorrent/Usenet access, VPNs, or just play money. My friend buys a few from me every couple of months for Usenet access, too. I'm guessing most are just investing (I've had people buy $500 at a time, which is either some really fancy coke, or just stashing money). I don't ask who they are or what they will use it for, since I don't expect they would be honest, and I'd rather know as little as possible.

[Anon136]

i cant believe no one has said it yet. bitcoin actually simplifies gambling for a lot of people even average people and boy do average people love to gamble.

[Grecoin]

The average joe, even the one heard about bitcoin, will not try it immediately. This can not happen over night.

People had strong doubts about using credit cards in the beginning as well and even now older people still do.

This is where the community needs to work, training and coaching. Coaching family, consulting friends, involving everyone.

The training of the masses is the hardest step at the moment since the technology is already here.

Only when people understand its benefits and know how to use it at the same time, bitcoin will stop being this 'geeky' currency.