Silkroad: good/bad/indifferent

[Jdumond]

I honestly think its the worst thing that could happen. lets draw a giant highlighter on Bitcoins then write "sounds like terrorism"

[Ryland R. Taylor-Almanza]

Theres no option to say that you think it is a good thing. There is only an option to say you're a tweaker. Theres a lot of people on this forum that don't do drugs, but still think it's a good thing for various reasons. I believe the usual arguments are along the lines of "Any publicity is good publicity," or "Drugs can be bought with USD too." In my case, I don't think it would've mattered, but now the media is trying to make bitcoin and silkroad look like the same thing, which is definitely bad. However, that's the media's fault, not silkroad's.

[qed]

Public opinion associating bitcoin to drugs selling is great, isn't it?

[Jdumond]

Theres no option to say that you think it is a good thing. There is only an option to say you're a tweaker. Theres a lot of people on this forum that don't do drugs, but still think it's a good thing for various reasons. I believe the usual arguments are along the lines of "Any publicity is good publicity," or "Drugs can be bought with USD too." In my case, I don't think it would've mattered, but now the media is trying to make bitcoin and silkroad look like the same thing, which is definitely bad. However, that's the media's fault, not silkroad's.

I agree with you that is definitely the media's fault. But you cannot deny the negative recourse from a drug bitcoin connection regardless if that is not bitcoins intent. Publicity is good when you start on a semi positive note, provide an image to be sullied is what the media drools over. However inherently what is not understood is feared (see senator schumer in Chicago)
 

I just wish there could have had some solid good press, on this scale, before bitcoin was sullied.

[CoinMonster]

Theres no option to say that you think it is a good thing. There is only an option to say you're a tweaker. Theres a lot of people on this forum that don't do drugs, but still think it's a good thing for various reasons. I believe the usual arguments are along the lines of "Any publicity is good publicity," or "Drugs can be bought with USD too." In my case, I don't think it would've mattered, but now the media is trying to make bitcoin and silkroad look like the same thing, which is definitely bad. However, that's the media's fault, not silkroad's.

I agree with you that is definitely the media's fault. But you cannot deny the negative recourse from a drug bitcoin connection regardless if that is not bitcoins intent. Publicity is good when you start on a semi positive note, provide an image to be sullied is what the media drools over. However inherently what is not understood is feared (see senator schumer in Chicago)
 

I just wish there could have had some solid good press, on this scale, before bitcoin was sullied.

Silk Road lead to great exposure for Bitcoin. Don't begrudge it! It's good.

Bitcoin is supposed to be able to handle any kind of press if it is to overtake anything and become a major currency. If not, then it never had a chance. This is the free market where it's survival of the fittest, and if it is truly fit, it will overcome even if powerful groups of people are out to stop it.

If governments hate it, that means it gives power to those that the governments don't want to have power. Usually this class of people are ones they're oppressing. That's exactly the case with drug users and dealers.

[42kang]

Support the free market, its how ideas blossom, silkroad wont negatively effect society. I would rather a society that was honest about being based on drugs than the society that is dishonoust about being based on drugs

[Marcus]

.
Silk Road = Good.

Many new technologies are first used for marginal or illegal purposes.
People operating on the margins of society are willing to take risks to gain the benefits.

An early use of sailing ships was smuggling and piracy.
An early use of steamboats (on US rivers) was as moving gambling parlors.
An early use of moving pictures was pornography.
An early use of the Internet also was pornography and, later, gambling.

So, if druggies, gamblers, and perverts are using Bitcoin now, that's a good indication of it's usefulness.
They are risk-takers; bless 'em for leading the way and taking the early risks.
The conservative mainstream will catch on in five or twenty years.

Finally, if government attacks and tries to suppress any new technology, then I want to know more about it.
Doesn't mean I'll jump right in, but I will have a careful look at whatever it is.
Where government isn't, that's where I strive to be.
So, while I'm not interested in buying bad drugs, I am pleased to see Bitcoin has value for people who are willing to take risks..

[kuba_10]

Even if Silkroad closed down, some people would say it's used to distribute child pornography. The Feds from around the world are considering Bitcoin a competition harmful for shady interests. Silkroad is just a mask to anti-free market propaganda. If it didn't exist, media would still spread the info that Bitcoin was used in illegal purposes or can be easily used by pedophiles. They will repeat those phrases infinitely until BTC collapses - or until we turn our TVs off.

[gigitrix]

Sillkroad represents a never really before seen public target to destroy. There is no way they intended to remain secret: it's their job to get more customers and as far as the owners feel they are pretty much invincible. This overconfident behaviour is what harms us, rather than the secret marketplaces remaining secret. I do not wish to use such services, but the of the matter is that Silk Road painted a big target on itself because it was convinced it was bulletproof, and that kind of thinking angers the governments of the world far more than the actual illegality of the operation, because they will rightly see it as a challenge. How much of this spills over into bitcoin? It's anyone's guess. It could be the first time a lot of people here of the word bitcoin, it could be the first time that alerts governments to what they see the need to crack down on. Time will tell.

[Nesetalis]

the question that remains to be seen, is.... can the US gov actually take down silk road?

I can't wait to find out.

[Modoki]

seriously, how could you doubt that seriously that silkroad is something good?
It's easy, the connotation of bitcoin and silkroad is the media's fault but won't do any harm.
I fully agree with marcus and CoinMonster.
In fact, I suspect the media to only focus on the silkroad-aspect of bitcoin because they or their readers are not capable of realizing what bitcoin really is and especially how it works. as they do not get this, the existance of a market like silkroad is the only thing they can write about which rises attention among the readers. easy enough.
greets, m

[AllYourBase]

I can't recall remember the last time I saw such a horribly biased poll.  Seriously, this is worse than Fox and MSNBC combined.

[TradersEdgeDice]

the question that remains to be seen, is.... can the US gov actually take down silk road?

I can't wait to find out.

This poll sucks.

Can I sell my dice on the silk road?

Even if I can't, I still see it as an outpost for liberty.

Men are perfectly capable of making their own decisions. 

Governments don't like that. Fuck them.

[Findeton]

Dollar supporters should be happy that drug dealers are getting out of the dollar system to use another currency. Or is the real reason that they want drug dealers to use the dollar as currency?

[Jdumond]

seriously, how could you doubt that seriously that silkroad is something good?
It's easy, the connotation of bitcoin and silkroad is the media's fault but won't do any harm.
I fully agree with marcus and CoinMonster.
In fact, I suspect the media to only focus on the silkroad-aspect of bitcoin because they or their readers are not capable of realizing what bitcoin really is and especially how it works. as they do not get this, the existance of a market like silkroad is the only thing they can write about which rises attention among the readers. easy enough.
greets, m

Silkroad directly lead to sponosoring legislation to regulate bitcoin. Directly lead to it so I dont understand your assesment.

the question that remains to be seen, is.... can the US gov actually take down silk road?

I can't wait to find out.

This poll sucks.

Can I sell my dice on the silk road?

Even if I can't, I still see it as an outpost for liberty.

Men are perfectly capable of making their own decisions. 

Governments don't like that. Fuck them.

Im glad you dont like governments, grats. Unfortunately the world doesn;t share your libertarian view.

I can't recall remember the last time I saw such a horribly biased poll.  Seriously, this is worse than Fox and MSNBC combined.

Silk road good/ SIlk road bad/humorous option. calm down.

[Jdumond]

I honestly do not understand how people could be defending Silkroad. I dont care if its a free market that arguement means nothing as it WILL NOT BE A FREE MARKET IF SITES LIKE SILKROAD USE BITCOIN TO SELL DRUGS!!!!!!

I mean free market, p2p currency, I hate the government arguements aside.

how do people not see this?


POST FROM SILKROAD

"My hope is that eventually, more than just drugs will be listed there.  Drugs are an obvious direction to go in, however, because there isn't a good market for them currently.  I have a category for weapons as well because many people are restricted from purchasing these, but no one has listed in that category yet.  It would be great to hear if anyone has ideas for other kinds of products that would fit well at Silk Road"




again, how do people not see this?

[Nesetalis]

Jdumond, it will also not be a free market if we curtail the market. By its very nature, regulating or artificially supporting the market makes it not free.

can't have it both ways man. Either you let buisnesses come and go, die off or not, or you choose not to have a free market.

Silk Road selling drugs does not change the free market, and nothing you say or do will stop them. If the fed succeeds in halting SR, well, they failed, but some one else will take their place.

Bitcoin cannot possibly regulate what it is and isnt used for, not without compromising itself. So what the hell do you suggest?

[Basiley]

think strategically.
BOTH extremes/decisions not solve problem ENTERIELY and finally.
so more serious/simpler solution needed.

[AllYourBase]

Silk road good/ SIlk road bad/humorous option. calm down.

When I posted you did not have an option for SR good.  Seemed designed to elicit a certain response.  Very sketchy practice.

[Jdumond]

Jdumond, it will also not be a free market if we curtail the market. By its very nature, regulating or artificially supporting the market makes it not free.

can't have it both ways man. Either you let buisnesses come and go, die off or not, or you choose not to have a free market.

Silk Road selling drugs does not change the free market, and nothing you say or do will stop them. If the fed succeeds in halting SR, well, they failed, but some one else will take their place.

Bitcoin cannot possibly regulate what it is and isnt used for, not without compromising itself. So what the hell do you suggest?

I understand your point. But you must see mine regardless of whether or not we feel its a good idea, free market, will get shut down, or whatever. using a new currency to buy firearms and drugs is not a good start.

"By its very nature, regulating or artificially supporting the market makes it not free"

transactions fees, and my node confirming transaction sounds like regulation to me. (even if its random and anonymous)

Is there a way I can have my client not confirm transactions for Human organs, child pornography, or weapons?
sounds silly I know but if My computer being active aided in the confirmation of the sale of a child sex slave across the world that makes me uncomfortable.


But ill stop posting now because obviously people dont agree, I just think its wrong bottomline.

"I dont like the guy, how many reasons do I have? alot....How many reasons do I need? None.  
I just dont like the guy"

Silk road good/ SIlk road bad/humorous option. calm down.

When I posted you did not have an option for SR good.  Seemed designed to elicit a certain response.  Very sketchy practice.

by my wording this arguement is fair.



If the Fed does shut down Silkroad do you think they will say, Great problem solved.

Or, Hmmm how were they able to do this? how can we prevent this in the future?
If bitcoin is truly unregulated the only way to prevent these sites would be to outlaw the use of Bitcoins, seeing as drugs are already illegal.

I just like this hobby, and dont want it ruined by a grandstanding politican who has drugs and weapon sales to provide impetus for legislation.