My response to the community

[Matthew N. Wright]

In hindsight, I no longer see this bet as being funny and I think it was in horrible taste. The community members who were my friends who are standing up against this are right in doing so I and I have no place in the bitcoin community as I clearly don't take it as seriously as everyone else. I am happy to have learned so much from Bitcoin and I'm glad to have shared in many experiences as well, but I cannot discount the claims that I have some issues with manicism as there is no other explanation for my often irrational behavior. I'll be seriously looking at my life and exiting from the community with my sincerest apologies.

Mihai Alisie will be speaking for the Bitcoin Magazine at the London conference. I am in the process of exiting the company completely equity and all in addition to already having resigned as a director and Editor in Chief, as it seems the right thing to do for the future of the magazine.

Ellet's IP is being handed over to a more capable party and I will be exiting any involvement with it.

DCAO is being dismembered and the existing heads will start another organization a bit more seriously toned.

I will not be involved in any businesses in this community any longer. It is clear my immaturity is hurting the community more than I am helping it, and the position I have been in has only resulted in hurting myself and those around me. I'm glad to see that many people did get my joke, but I ask that they not defend me as even I see now that it was crossing all sorts of lines that should never have been crossed and I have absolutely no excuse for it.

I'm sorry I let so many people down that I never even realized actually cared and I hope I can somehow serve as an example of what not to do so that all of this was not a complete waste.

I will now leave how I came.

[kentrolla]

[Coinabul]

Matthew,

I was one of your earliest supporters. It has been fun working with you and bouncing ideas off of you. However, the current events have truly been unforgivable.

I think that you did really harm some people with your actions. The internal strife that your bet created is terrible. The relationships that suffered because of your actions are worth much more than whatever message you tried to make. I think that your decision to leave is a token of grace, no more. I don't know if I want you to stay or if it's truly time for you to go. Part of me thinks that you need to face the community and give back all that you took away by building up the Bitcoin infrastructure that is sorely needed. But the other part of me wonders if you're capable for the task, and if you can ever win back this community.

In any case, here's to the bumpy ride that was, and still is, Bitcoin. We had some good growth and you did do a lot for the community. Whether the sum of your actions is positive or negative, I do not know. Whatever you do, I wish you luck on your future endeavors,

-Jon

(To those harmed by Matthew's debt, this is only meant to be a farewell. I don't want to take a position on either side, thank you.)

[Lethos]

In hindsight, I no longer see this bet as being funny and I think it was in horrible taste. The community members who were my friends who are standing up against this are right in doing so I and I have no place in the bitcoin community as I clearly don't take it as seriously as everyone else. I am happy to have learned so much from Bitcoin and I'm glad to have shared in many experiences as well, but I cannot discount the claims that I have some issues with manicism as there is no other explanation for my often irrational behavior. I'll be seriously looking at my life and exiting from the community with my sincerest apologies.

Mihai Alisie will be speaking for the Bitcoin Magazine at the London conference. I am in the process of exiting the company completely equity and all in addition to already having resigned as a director and Editor in Chief, as it seems the right thing to do for the future of the magazine.

Ellet's IP is being handed over to a more capable party and I will be exiting any involvement with it.

DCAO is being dismembered and the existing heads will start another organization a bit more seriously toned.

I will not be involved in any businesses in this community any longer. It is clear my immaturity is hurting the community more than I am helping it, and the position I have been in has only resulted in hurting myself and those around me. I'm glad to see that many people did get my joke, but I ask that they not defend me as even I see now that it was crossing all sorts of lines that should never have been crossed and I have absolutely no excuse for it.

I'm sorry I let so many people down that I never even realized actually cared and I hope I can somehow serve as an example of what not to do so that all of this was not a complete waste.

I will now leave how I came.

I always watched what you did without saying much about. I'm not one for the Drama, which you often loved getting involved in.
You had the chance to do a lot with your position and by your own admission your immaturity got the better of you.

Apologies are a bit late coming, but I hope this has made you learn the hard way that it's not the best way to act.
People don't forget when you do what you did on this scale, just because you said sorry.

This is something you going to have to live with, that you can't just sweep under the rug at a later date.

[hannesnaude]

What id will you be using for your new account?

[Coinoisseur]

Matthew,

This reads to me as a sincere post. I wish you well, while continuing to disapprove of the damage that's been done, and with respect suggest that you consider seeking some professional help if your quality of life is adversely affected by the kind of behavior we have seen from you recently.

- Coinoisseur

[labestiol]

I hope this has made you learn the hard way that it's not the best way to act.

[the_thing]

You'll operate under a new account and remain secretly involved in your businesses.

[flower1024]

In hindsight, I no longer see this bet as being funny and I think it was in horrible taste. The community members who were my friends who are standing up against this are right in doing so I and I have no place in the bitcoin community as I clearly don't take it as seriously as everyone else. I am happy to have learned so much from Bitcoin and I'm glad to have shared in many experiences as well, but I cannot discount the claims that I have some issues with manicism as there is no other explanation for my often irrational behavior. I'll be seriously looking at my life and exiting from the community with my sincerest apologies.

Mihai Alisie will be speaking for the Bitcoin Magazine at the London conference. I am in the process of exiting the company completely equity and all in addition to already having resigned as a director and Editor in Chief, as it seems the right thing to do for the future of the magazine.

Ellet's IP is being handed over to a more capable party and I will be exiting any involvement with it.

DCAO is being dismembered and the existing heads will start another organization a bit more seriously toned.

I will not be involved in any businesses in this community any longer. It is clear my immaturity is hurting the community more than I am helping it, and the position I have been in has only resulted in hurting myself and those around me. I'm glad to see that many people did get my joke, but I ask that they not defend me as even I see now that it was crossing all sorts of lines that should never have been crossed and I have absolutely no excuse for it.

I'm sorry I let so many people down that I never even realized actually cared and I hope I can somehow serve as an example of what not to do so that all of this was not a complete waste.

I will now leave how I came.

if you feel so sorry take the btc you have and divide them proportionally.

for me this would be enough

btw: i would have paid (and i expect most others also): or would you have told us that it was just a joke in case that pirate would have paid?

[DarkEmi]

In hindsight, I no longer see this bet as being funny and I think it was in horrible taste. The community members who were my friends who are standing up against this are right in doing so I and I have no place in the bitcoin community as I clearly don't take it as seriously as everyone else. I am happy to have learned so much from Bitcoin and I'm glad to have shared in many experiences as well, but I cannot discount the claims that I have some issues with manicism as there is no other explanation for my often irrational behavior. I'll be seriously looking at my life and exiting from the community with my sincerest apologies.

Mihai Alisie will be speaking for the Bitcoin Magazine at the London conference. I am in the process of exiting the company completely equity and all in addition to already having resigned as a director and Editor in Chief, as it seems the right thing to do for the future of the magazine.

Ellet's IP is being handed over to a more capable party and I will be exiting any involvement with it.

DCAO is being dismembered and the existing heads will start another organization a bit more seriously toned.

I will not be involved in any businesses in this community any longer. It is clear my immaturity is hurting the community more than I am helping it, and the position I have been in has only resulted in hurting myself and those around me. I'm glad to see that many people did get my joke, but I ask that they not defend me as even I see now that it was crossing all sorts of lines that should never have been crossed and I have absolutely no excuse for it.

I'm sorry I let so many people down that I never even realized actually cared and I hope I can somehow serve as an example of what not to do so that all of this was not a complete waste.

I will now leave how I came.

If you had no intent to scam (and I truly hope that was the case) in the first place then thats really a noble way out.
You destroyed all your credibility.

The one that Amir, Donald, Patrick should have choosen way earlier.

[MemoryDealers]

I don't think Matthew is sorry for anything other than losing the bet.
Below is a not so private skype conversation he initiated with me earlier today.

[9/10/12 3:47:49 PM] Matthew N. Wright: Just wanted to say that I'm sorry for any negative backlash my prank might have caused. I had never intended to take that bet seriously and was laughing for 3 weeks straight for which I honestly thought would be an easy "fuck you", but it turned out I was shortsighted and hurt a bunch of people. That really wasn't my intention and I feel awful. I took the necessary steps for the businesses I'm involved in and have decided to take a back seat to everything from now on.

[9/10/12 3:48:51 PM] Roger Ver: I saw your posts and listed to you on DonkDown Radio.   I don't believe you.

[9/10/12 3:51:15 PM] Matthew N. Wright: Don't believe the posts?
[9/10/12 3:51:37 PM] Matthew N. Wright: Or don't believe that I'm sorry for the backlash of this troll?

[9/10/12 3:51:52 PM] Roger Ver: I don't believe that you intended for it to be a prank from day one.
[9/10/12 3:52:07 PM] Roger Ver: I'm sure you are sorry that you lost the bet.

[9/10/12 3:53:31 PM] Matthew N. Wright: I had discussed the prank with johnthedong, Vicente, and several others beforehand. It was all a show. I heard the arguments as to why it "must have been a scam", but regardless of how it looks, I was caught up in the entertainment.
[9/10/12 3:54:09 PM] Matthew N. Wright: I'm not sorry for trolling the community (it really needed it and I believe I have helped push through some new changes), I'm just sorry so many people who I thought would laugh at it ended up just getting hurt by it. That wasn't intentional.

[9/10/12 3:56:20 PM] Roger Ver: I think your best course of action at this time would be to stop lying about it being a joke from day one.  Then post an apology on the forum telling everyone that you thought you were going to win the bet,  and that you are sorry that you never had the money to make good on your half of the bargain.

[9/10/12 3:59:16 PM] Matthew N. Wright: cbeast has suggested the same thing but I am not sure what an apology would do. Although I know I stepped over a line of sorts, there are people trying to use what I say against me legally at this moment (including Vladimir) and I am not sure what an apology to the community would result in

[Coinoisseur]

[9/10/12 3:53:31 PM] Matthew N. Wright: I had discussed the prank with johnthedong, Vicente, and several others beforehand. It was all a show. I heard the arguments as to why it "must have been a scam", but regardless of how it looks, I was caught up in the entertainment.
[9/10/12 3:54:09 PM] Matthew N. Wright: I'm not sorry for trolling the community (it really needed it and I believe I have helped push through some new changes), I'm just sorry so many people who I thought would laugh at it ended up just getting hurt by it. That wasn't intentional.

[9/10/12 3:56:20 PM] Roger Ver: I think your best course of action at this time would be to stop lying about it being a joke from day one.  Then post an apology on the forum telling everyone that you thought you were going to win the bet,  and that you are sorry that you never had the money to make good on your half of the bargain.

[9/10/12 3:59:16 PM] Matthew N. Wright: cbeast has suggested the same thing but I am not sure what an apology would do. Although I know I stepped over a line of sorts, there are people trying to use what I say against me legally at this moment (including Vladimir) and I am not sure what an apology to the community would result in

Perhaps the sincerity I read is entirely fake. I now emphatically think Matthew should seek some professional psychological help.

I wonder what the people he mentions as being in the know think of this.

[jojo69]

I suppose it is too much to ask that this be the last thread on the matter

[HostFat]

I'm sorry for you, I hope that the Bitcoin community will grow up the next years.
You have asked too much to some brains.

[swissmate]

I'm really sorry for all of this, you seemed a cool guy.
But that's what happens when someone plays with people's money.

Live long and prosper.

[muyuu]

LOL at the people still believing anything Matthew has to say.

[Technomage]

Matt, You have never shied away from blunt words. Accordingly, I would love to see you stop beating around the bush and rather say:

"In hindsight, I now see this bet for what it was - a scam."

Indeed the whole stunt would've actually been much less significant if he had admitted from the start that it was a scam. But no, he continues to pretend it was "just a joke". That only makes it worse.

[Blind]

I wonder how long it will take the trolling sockpuppets to realize I'm not leaving anywhere irregardless of the outcome of the bet.

ROFL. See ya.

[blablahblah]

...

Perhaps the sincerity I read is entirely fake. I now emphatically think Matthew should seek some professional psychological help.
...

Lol. Always the US' of A way! Want moral support and guidance? Go pay someone for it!

I say give the guy a break. People make mistakes, he underestimated people's stupidity, get over it.
Maybe the gamble-aholics who are baying for blood should take a look at themselves? If Matt is such a well-known prankster/troll/clown/whatever, what were you thinking engaging in a bet? Of course you were going to lose by not getting your free winnings.

I reckon MNW should stay if he wants to, the site feature of "scammer" tags is childish, and besides, if he's not here, who will educate the n00bs about the dangers of Nigerian scams?

[LightRider]

A corrupt society always punishes those that seek to improve it.