How do I explain bitcoin to my mother?

[dancupid]

I tried explaining it to my wife and she's a mathematics graduate and she was worried how many bitcoins I'm buying. My mother left school at 15 (but she knows how to use a credit card).

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[Dargo]

How may coins did you by? It doesn't take a mathematics graduate, or even a HS graduate to tell you that any kind of trading is risky, and you shouldn't be investing beyond what you are prepared to lose. Make sure you understand your risk, and are really prepared to take it. While I don't think this is probable, it is possible that the price of BTC could bleed slowly (or quickly) down to pennies.

[dancupid]

I bought enough not to be too worried (maybe 0.5% of my total capital)

[nmat]

You don't explain it to your mother. If you must explain it, then leave out almost everything and tell her a really really short version like: it's virtual money.  You could then add more details : it is not owned by any government, but by the users, it has low fees, etc. I wouldn't talk about mining nor anything like that. It's too confusing.

That being said, any investment in bitcoins is dangerous. It's high risk.

[dancupid]

The thing is, if my mother cannot use bitcoin then it's not a currency. People like my mother represent 99% of the worlds population

[Gabi]

And? Very few ppl know how a credit card really work, but still everyone use it.

No need to know everything about bitcoins too to use it.

[EarlyAdopter]

Just say it's like gold. Just in digital form and easy to send around the world! You do not have to shave off little bits off of a nugget and mail it.   

[nmat]

99% is a little too much...

Bitcoin will not be used by everyone. In fact, it won't be used by the vast majority of people. It's an online currency that exists as an alternative to paper money. It can grow (I surely hope so), but it will never replace dollar, nor euro, nor any other real currency.

[cbeast]

I think I might explain it as my social security, since I won't be getting any once her generation uses it all up. Does that make me a bad son or her a bad mother? 

[Maged]

The PR talking points apply very well here:

1.  don't talk about mining.  its confusing.
2.  don't talk about the blockchain.  its even more confusing.
3.  say that bitcoin is "digital gold".  that'll definitely make them sit up.
4.  say that only a fixed number will be issued and then NO MORE.
5.  say that since its digital it can be instantaneously transported across borders w/o detection.  they'll immediately realize the implications of this.
6.  don't say anything about "cryptocurrency" or "cryptography".  this makes it sound like bitcoin is trying to hide something along the likes of Silk Road and other illegal activities.
7.  say that bitcoins are secured by "advanced mathematical algorithms" that prevent counterfeiting.  sounds impressive.
8.  try to avoid saying anything about Satoshi since an unknown character brings to mind a shady type character or hidden agenda.
9.  do explain that the decentralized or "spread out" nature of bitcoin computers makes it indestructable to gov't or Fed intervention.    they'll like that.
10.  when they ask what its denominated in say that bitcoin is a currency UNTO ITSELF and "floats" in value against other fiat currencies like the USD but bitcoin is in fact NOT a fiat currency.  you might mention that you think that bitcoin will become the gold std against which all other currencies will be measured.