Full Disclosure 1: Have been in the space for approximately forty-five days
Prior to that, I thought it was some video game currency that could also be used by nerds to buy drugs or child porn.
Had it not been for my curious nature, I would probably still believe that.
I have been learning and researching daily...certainly no expert, but I've figured out enough to understand how it works, about exchanges, wallets, the different major altcoins, reputable sources for current info, etc.
After doubling my money (prior to the recent crash), I naturally started telling anyone who would listen about the opportunity.
My parents, sister, and boyfriend have all bought in now (although they like to just "forget about it"), but only my boyfriend has actually taken some sort of interest.
Then I thought about a friend I have, who always complains about how much she hates living in the same town she's been in her entire life, who lives paycheck to paycheck, and is always trying to offer me the "opportunity" to join a "multi-level marketing" company and peddle overpriced cosmetics no one ever heard of...or ever wants to buy. Her get rich quick schemes of the past have reminded me of episodes of I Love Lucy.
Anyway, I tell this friend...
"OMG that sounds awesome how do I sign up?"
"Well, you don't sign up..."
"So how do I join?"
"You have to register on an exchange, and buy a "base" currency before branching out to others."
"How do I know which to buy?"
"Bitcoin is probably your best bet at first."
"Um...K. Then what?"
"Then you start doing research into the different exchanges, but stick with ones that generally have good reviews and are widely used, I can give you a list though. Then you can start looking into different coins, the concepts and teams behind them..."
"But what I don't have the time or interest to do research?"
Now at this point, I should have just said "Then go back hocking the beauty products only you buy."
But I didn't. No, instead I thought "HEY, if I do research and transfer what I learn to a google doc, she and others I know can benefit from the knowledge!
"
I sent her nine pages of notes, and she never even thanked me. She never said ANYTHING. But a couple of days ago when Bitcoin dropped, guess who called to subtly gloat for not getting involved? Why, my research-averse "friend" of course!
Probably because of all the times I refused to jump into ponzi scams with her.
Why is it that people will work for eight hours straight at a job that doesn't pay nearly enough, but won't even take the time do research into something that could literally change their lives.
It would be really awesome to read some stories by crypto-veterans about when they were finally able to show up the critics and doubters...I bet that would make a few other n00bs happy as well.
