Could Free BTC Help Poor?

[seafarer124]

The sites that offer free BTC, small amounts, be of benefit to poorer people around the world?

I realise that they would need access to a computer/smartphone/tablet to produce the free BTC.

If say, a family in one of the poorer countries spent a fair amount of time collecting the coins and adding them to a wallet it could possibly create a reasonable amount.

I realise there would not be a great deal of value at the current price, but what about in the future, could possibly be quite a little gold mine as the BTC price increases.

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[Johnny Bitcoinseed]

I believe in the long run the only real way to help the poor is to enable them to help themselves.  By providing a stable currency that everyone has access to, that isn't confiscated by government or civilian thugs (often one and the same), some of the barriers to free trade and prosperity are lifted.

Rather than as a mere investment opportunity, btc really shines as a medium of exchange that greases the wheels of trade.

[Birdy]

The sites that offer free BTC, small amounts, be of benefit to poorer people around the world?

If you mean those faucets websites, no probably not. They give so small amounts that it isn't even worth the electricity costs and transaction costs for all those small transactions.

[countryfree]

Let's add that faucets will not last. You just can't give money way forever.

[Birdy]

Let's add that faucets will not last. You just can't give money way forever.

They don't give away free money.
They give you a part of the money gained from the advertisements.

[alkaz]

Let's add that faucets will not last. You just can't give money way forever.

They don't give away free money.
They give you a part of the money gained from the advertisements.

true, very true

[shuttleclock]

I still don't believe in free and easy money. Even if it exists, it won't last long.

Anyway this thread actually reminds me of this article -> Homeless, Unemployed, and Surviving on Bitcoins

[countryfree]

Let's add that faucets will not last. You just can't give money way forever.

They don't give away free money.
They give you a part of the money gained from the advertisements.

Faucets were without ads last year. They're all gone now, and ads supported faucets won't survive them long.

[terman45x]

I realise there would not be a great deal of value at the current price, but what about in the future, could possibly be quite a little gold mine as the BTC price increases.

It is possible, but the poor people need money today to survive. And the faucet amounts are just to try out the bitcoin, not enought for buying anything really

[CBitz]

I believe in the long run the only real way to help the poor is to enable them to help themselves.

This. IMO, the BTC community needs more places like Sean's Outpost, which not only helps poorer people, but also employs them and teaches them skills. I don't think an individual would ever be able to generate enough free BTCs to create long-term change for themselves and their families.

[illpoet]

http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/?p=60601

[Birdy]

http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/?p=60601

Yes, the article that mentioned not achievable and false amounts in Bitcoin earnings and later (after most people already read it) corrected the numbers so the article doesn't make sense anymore. Horrible journalism.