I think it's time for me to move on

[dave111223]

[adamstgBit]

Here's the thing - I really like bitcoin.  Every time I actually use the system, I'm instantly reminded of why I thought this thing was so cool in the first place.  In a way, I've become a victim of my own trolling, just as some of you have suggested.  Here's my story.

I found out about bitcoin in late February/early March 2011.  A few weeks after investigating the idea I decided to start mining.  My decision to mine instead of buy outright was motivated by the fact that I was in the market for a new gaming PC anyway, and so mining was a sort of hedge against the market working against me.  I turned my machine off a few months after the 2011 crash.  I also bought a fair number of bitcoins before May 2011.

I was enthusiastic about bitcoin and new to markets and trading.  The 2011 crash was depressing and it changed me.  This, despite that I was lucky to more than double the number of bitcoins I mined and bought before the crash.  The project began to look like the sort of thing that was being torn apart inside an out.  I became a vicious troll, because, in a perverse way, I wanted to help what seemed like the project's inevitable end.

At some point my awful trollishness became too much and I issued an apology for my tone, but not my content.  I trolled on, just with less vitriol.  As the project recovered I began to fight with myself.  My trollish character had sort of developed a mind of its own, even as I began to appreciate bitcoin's innovation and value again.  I developed a sense of obligation to the community to post as Proudhon The Toll because of a community expectation and, in a way, to balance out over-zealousness with the same thing in the other direction.

When I switched gears and began posting bullishly not long after this most recent crash I was playing to the joke that I had become a sort of contrary indicator.  "Playing" the character of a more even-headed optimist made me realize that, well, that's not really a character, because I am actually optimistic about bitcoin, even if cautiously.

This is sort of a good-bye to the speculation forum, though I might stick around and respond here for a little while.  I intend to spend more time discussing bitcoin, and cryptocurrency in general, in political/economic/and philosophical contexts, and so you'll find me posting on bitcointalk.org and other places in areas more suitable for those sorts of discussions.  It's been extremely educational, depressing, exciting, frustrating, and fun around here.  I think I've ultimately learned what I needed to learn from the speculation forum - I'm not a bitcoin trader, I'm an investor and a user.  And yes, my paper wallets are safe and sound.

Good for you.  Growth.  But growth and wisdom is to be shared, no?  Going away only compounds your loss...

I agree.  I'm not going away from bitcoin or bitcointalk, I'm just leaving the trolling game and the speculation forum.

[arepo]

Here's the thing - I really like bitcoin.  Every time I actually use the system, I'm instantly reminded of why I thought this thing was so cool in the first place.  In a way, I've become a victim of my own trolling, just as some of you have suggested.  Here's my story.

I found out about bitcoin in late February/early March 2011.  A few weeks after investigating the idea I decided to start mining.  My decision to mine instead of buy outright was motivated by the fact that I was in the market for a new gaming PC anyway, and so mining was a sort of hedge against the market working against me.  I turned my machine off a few months after the 2011 crash.  I also bought a fair number of bitcoins before May 2011.

I was enthusiastic about bitcoin and new to markets and trading.  The 2011 crash was depressing and it changed me.  This, despite that I was lucky to more than double the number of bitcoins I mined and bought before the crash.  The project began to look like the sort of thing that was being torn apart inside an out.  I became a vicious troll, because, in a perverse way, I wanted to help what seemed like the project's inevitable end.

At some point my awful trollishness became too much and I issued an apology for my tone, but not my content.  I trolled on, just with less vitriol.  As the project recovered I began to fight with myself.  My trollish character had sort of developed a mind of its own, even as I began to appreciate bitcoin's innovation and value again.  I developed a sense of obligation to the community to post as Proudhon The Toll because of a community expectation and, in a way, to balance out over-zealousness with the same thing in the other direction.

When I switched gears and began posting bullishly not long after this most recent crash I was playing to the joke that I had become a sort of contrary indicator.  "Playing" the character of a more even-headed optimist made me realize that, well, that's not really a character, because I am actually optimistic about bitcoin, even if cautiously.

This is sort of a good-bye to the speculation forum, though I might stick around and respond here for a little while.  I intend to spend more time discussing bitcoin, and cryptocurrency in general, in political/economic/and philosophical contexts, and so you'll find me posting on bitcointalk.org and other places in areas more suitable for those sorts of discussions.  It's been extremely educational, depressing, exciting, frustrating, and fun around here.  I think I've ultimately learned what I needed to learn from the speculation forum - I'm not a bitcoin trader, I'm an investor and a user.  And yes, my paper wallets are safe and sound.

having lurked since winter 2011, i can really appreciate this character development. thanks for sharing

--arepo

[Geist]

I've only been here since the recent crash, but I'm already sorry to see you go. I personally enjoyed reading you're conversations with the other members and it feels like the Speculation forum won't be the same without you.

See you around.

[RationalSpeculator]

I never got to know you but heard your name mention many times. I think it's beautiful your turn around. It shows great character. Thank you for sharing.

[Zangelbert Bingledack]

Sad to see you go...

[YoYa]

Contrarian viewpoints are always welcome, and you served as a moderator of sorts during the recent bubble Proudhon, so please don't be shy when us trading idiots descend in to the next frenzy, it helps to have people who keep you grounded.

[ManBearPig]

Kudos to you Proudhon.

[smoothie]

1. Anyone that needs to announce their leaving or coming is an attention whore. MNW yes you are this way too.

2. Your trolling, in my view, wasn't trolling at all. I honestly think you believed many of the things you posted (the bearish BS).

3. Thanks for the 1 BTC when Bitcoin hit $100 (see I can be nice) lol

4. Get over yourself.

 

[xorglub]

Farewell Proudhon, you magnificent troll

[Zaih]

Perfect, just perfect

Cya around bud

[Tirapon]

1. Anyone that needs to announce their leaving or coming is an attention whore. MNW yes you are this way too.

2. Your trolling, in my view, wasn't trolling at all. I honestly think you believed many of the things you posted (the bearish BS).

3. Thanks for the 1 BTC when Bitcoin hit $100 (see I can be nice) lol

4. Get over yourself.

 

Something about pots and kettles...  


Proudhon, thanks for the entertainment you've provided - I will be looking out for your posts elsewhere on the forum  

[bitcon]

NO! proud, don't go! i love you, even though you have been so cynical about bitcoin over the past couple years i feel that you are an asset to the community and really look forward to meeting you at bitcoin-con '13 and we can reminisc about all the bearish times we've shared together!

[smoothie]

1. Anyone that needs to announce their leaving or coming is an attention whore. MNW yes you are this way too.

2. Your trolling, in my view, wasn't trolling at all. I honestly think you believed many of the things you posted (the bearish BS).

3. Thanks for the 1 BTC when Bitcoin hit $100 (see I can be nice) lol

4. Get over yourself.

 

Something about pots and kettles... 

LOL I figured this was coming.

Where do you see a thread where I am posting about me coming or going or ARRIVING or DEPARTING and all the details about my self developing into a better person blah blah blah?

[batcoin]

A Paraphrase

Dear Forum,

I am leaving the living room going to go out onto the garden and converse with your cousins for a while.

Love,

Proudhon

Spec Forum Response

[Tirapon]

1. Anyone that needs to announce their leaving or coming is an attention whore. MNW yes you are this way too.

2. Your trolling, in my view, wasn't trolling at all. I honestly think you believed many of the things you posted (the bearish BS).

3. Thanks for the 1 BTC when Bitcoin hit $100 (see I can be nice) lol

4. Get over yourself.

 

Something about pots and kettles... 

LOL I figured this was coming.

Where do you see a thread where I am posting about me coming or going or ARRIVING or DEPARTING and all the details about my self developing into a better person blah blah blah?

LOL Smoothie I don't think you need to make posts about your arriving or departing, people will know when you turn up and you won't leave until you've had the last troll...

For the record I voted 'I like smoothie' in nkspace poll  

[smoothie]

1. Anyone that needs to announce their leaving or coming is an attention whore. MNW yes you are this way too.

2. Your trolling, in my view, wasn't trolling at all. I honestly think you believed many of the things you posted (the bearish BS).

3. Thanks for the 1 BTC when Bitcoin hit $100 (see I can be nice) lol

4. Get over yourself.

 

Something about pots and kettles... 

LOL I figured this was coming.

Where do you see a thread where I am posting about me coming or going or ARRIVING or DEPARTING and all the details about my self developing into a better person blah blah blah?

LOL Smoothie I don't think you need to make posts about your arriving or departing, people will know when you turn up and you won't leave until you've had the last troll...

For the record I voted 'I like smoothie' in nkspace poll  

  muahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[bitcon]

bears are always IN the forest, so they can never actually leave the forest.

[lebing]

Kudos for having the balls to make a post like this.

And welcome back to the light good sir.

[Malawi]

They say that when the last bear turn bull, a crash is imminent.