Bitcoin Mention on Alex Jones today. Environmental Dangers of Gold Mining

[bitrebel]

I just called into Alex Jones and got on the air, AGAIN!

Got the mention of bitcoin in, just before the end of the show. I called to relate this exact article, and mentioned Indybay and Goldmining, and the toll on the environment. I then mentioned their advocacy of bitcoin before Alex cut me off and ended the show.
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/08/28/18688943.php


I believe this is now the 2nd mention of Bitcoins on the Alex Jones show.

[cypherdoc]

way to go bitrebel.

[BitPay Business Solutions]

I just called into Alex Jones and got on the air, AGAIN!

Excellent work!  Alex will come around.  It will likely take more pushing from people he knows, like Max Keiser and Rick Falkvinge, to get him going...

[Cosbycoin]

Can't wait for this. It would be great to have Alex on board with bitcoin.

[evoorhees]

Good job getting on the air

But you know, of all the reasons to love bitcoin, the "environmental damage of gold mining" seems to be the absolute weakest

[benjamindees]

As much as I would like to see Alex Jones endorse Bitcoin... the reality is that it probably isn't going to happen.  His largest sponsor is a gold dealer.  And calling in to argue for Bitcoin with "environmentalism" definitely isn't the best approach.  Honestly, I'm not really sure what you're trying to accomplish with this.

[gusti]

As much as I would like to see Alex Jones endorse Bitcoin... the reality is that it probably isn't going to happen.  His largest sponsor is a gold dealer.  And calling in to argue for Bitcoin with "environmentalism" definitely isn't the best approach.  Honestly, I'm not really sure what you're trying to accomplish with this.

Gold mining in great scales can be really harsh to environment, being bitcoin nothing in comparison.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrick_Gold#Environmental_impact

[cypherdoc]

As much as I would like to see Alex Jones endorse Bitcoin... the reality is that it probably isn't going to happen.  His largest sponsor is a gold dealer.  And calling in to argue for Bitcoin with "environmentalism" definitely isn't the best approach.  Honestly, I'm not really sure what you're trying to accomplish with this.

Gold mining in great scales can be really harsh to environment, being bitcoin nothing in comparison.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrick_Gold#Environmental_impact

this

[Cosbycoin]

As much as I would like to see Alex Jones endorse Bitcoin... the reality is that it probably isn't going to happen.  His largest sponsor is a gold dealer.  And calling in to argue for Bitcoin with "environmentalism" definitely isn't the best approach.  Honestly, I'm not really sure what you're trying to accomplish with this.

It's call PR.

Alex doesn't have to endorse bitcoin for bitcoin to be successful. I think it will be successful without his support. He'll just accelerate that pace.

It's a rebelous system, bitcoin, and Alex is all about being rebellious to the status quo.

[Cosbycoin]

I didnt even put two and two together about the gold mining thing. So yeah I was more focused on Alex supporting bitcoin the idea not because gold mining is bad for the environment.

[evoorhees]

Personally, I think this is awesome

[cypherdoc]

yeah, but what about all that electricity we waste?  

[kjlimo]

yeah, but what about all that electricity we waste?  

not much once we all switch to FPGA boards... and power them with solar energy...

[Rassah]

yeah, but what about all that electricity we waste?  

not much once we all switch to FPGA boards... and power them with solar energy...

While Electricity Cost < Block Value, miners will keep adding more and more mining power, be it FPGA or whatever, until Electricity Cost = Block Value. Basically, miners will keep adding mining power as long as it's profitable. So the only thing FPGA boards will do is increase the difficulty, not save on power wasted.

[kjlimo]

yeah, but what about all that electricity we waste?  

not much once we all switch to FPGA boards... and power them with solar energy...

While Electricity Cost < Block Value, miners will keep adding more and more mining power, be it FPGA or whatever, until Electricity Cost = Block Value. Basically, miners will keep adding mining power as long as it's profitable. So the only thing FPGA boards will do is increase the difficulty, not save on power wasted.

Not if you believe
a) people will mine at a loss
b) people get free electricity (college kids, certain apartments, fixed utility cost arrangements, etc.)

 

[cbeast]

yeah, but what about all that electricity we waste?  

not much once we all switch to FPGA boards... and power them with solar energy...

While Electricity Cost < Block Value, miners will keep adding more and more mining power, be it FPGA or whatever, until Electricity Cost = Block Value. Basically, miners will keep adding mining power as long as it's profitable. So the only thing FPGA boards will do is increase the difficulty, not save on power wasted.

Much of that solar power just gets wasted on coeds getting suntanned anyway. Might as well use it for something useful like a computer in the basement making computer money. 

[evoorhees]

yeah, but what about all that electricity we waste?  

not much once we all switch to FPGA boards... and power them with solar energy...

While Electricity Cost < Block Value, miners will keep adding more and more mining power, be it FPGA or whatever, until Electricity Cost = Block Value. Basically, miners will keep adding mining power as long as it's profitable. So the only thing FPGA boards will do is increase the difficulty, not save on power wasted.

Now THERE is some good economic reasoning!  Well said, Rassah.

And for the same reason, "energy efficient" light bulbs and cars often result in more electricity used, not less.  A while back, after they mandated efficiency standards for A/C units in UK, the energy used went up, not down.

[D.H.]

While Electricity Cost < Block Value, miners will keep adding more and more mining power, be it FPGA or whatever, until Electricity Cost = Block Value. Basically, miners will keep adding mining power as long as it's profitable. So the only thing FPGA boards will do is increase the difficulty, not save on power wasted.

It's not actually "Electricy cost = Block value", it's "Electricity cost + amortized hardware costs = Block value". As hardware becomes more energy efficient more money will be spent buying the hardware and less will be spent buying electricity.

[Cosbycoin]

While Electricity Cost < Block Value, miners will keep adding more and more mining power, be it FPGA or whatever, until Electricity Cost = Block Value. Basically, miners will keep adding mining power as long as it's profitable. So the only thing FPGA boards will do is increase the difficulty, not save on power wasted.

It's not actually "Electricy cost = Block value", it's "Electricity cost + amortized hardware costs = Block value". As hardware becomes more energy efficient more money will be spent buying the hardware and less will be spent buying electricity.

Actually the equation is more like "Electricity cost + amortized hardware costs + time wasted replying to posts on this forum like this one = Block value"