How can we make Bitcoin/ Lightning more user friendly?

[abhutra]

I recently visited back home and was helping my grandma use facebook, she found a product ad and wanted to buy that. And it was really tedious process, how she struggled with every step.

Now I know there are a lot benefits of bitcoin. But one thing I really find difficult is reaching to people with 3rd world countries with no financial inclusion. There is a steep learning curve - Mobile ->Internet ->Basic service on internet -> Bitcoin -> And maybe lightning down the line. And I actually don't see service who has or promises to solve this gap.

The only solution I can think bitcoin may be reaches somehow to next generation. Who start fiddling with from start and learn. That makes this whole revolution taking place in multiple generations not in few years or decades. What do you think? Or are there any services which are helping right now?

And most importantly if this has been previously discussed please redirect me to right place. Thanks

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[cellard]

Trying to get the older generations on board is extremely difficult. My mom has no idea how to use a computer, let alone my grandma. It's perhaps a waste of time at this point. They get along well using cash, the bank, and buying on the local shop.

On the other hand kids born into iPads and phones have no problem with screens, so using Bitcoin will not be a problem for them.

The best and easiest way is tactile interfaces. Using your finger is easier for most people to get used to. I've seen some slick looking Lightning Network interfaces in which making payments would be extremely easy. I've seen moms that had no idea about technology learn how to use Whatsapp and share stuff around and so on. So it could be done.

Of course, you still need many merchants and a Bitcoin economy, something that I doubt most governments are going to allow, unless they can somehow control and tax everything. Until then it will remain digital gold which is not for most people because most people don't understand what the deal is.

[rpstatic]

It has to be easy. No setup, no sending to the lightning nodes, everything has to happen automatically.

I tested the wallet (was called zap when I remember correctly) and it would be too hard to set it up for a non-tech person. People don't want a complicated setup, they want an app on their smartphone which just works. That's it.

[HeRetiK]

As far as crypto is concerned, I also think that there's a large part of the older generation we'll never get onboard, making any attempts to do so futile. I wouldn't say it's entirely an age thing though -- there's fairly tech literate older people just as there are tech-illiterate youngsters.

Assuming crypto reaches wide-spread mainstream adoption, we'll probably see a multitude of apps / services that will serve people according to their need and technological understanding. Some people will prefer centralized services offering simple apps while others will prefer to stay self-reliant and in control at the cost of added complexity. In other words, I think it's likely that in some respects simplicity will always come at the cost of freedom and vice versa. Which is okay in a way, as long as the first doesn't interfer with the latter (that is: As long as everyone still has the option to use crypto in a free, permissionless and secure manner I don't care much about people handing control of their own assets to third parties).

Nonetheless I'm fairly positive that we still have some leeway in reducing complexity while keeping the user in control. Quite a challenge for sure, but not hopeless.

[buwaytress]

Yeah, I don't know how to deal with this aspect which isn't Bitcoin, but technology, actually. Despite all the positive aspects of Bitcoin, crypto is still very far from being the inclusive form of money people sometimes tout it to be, and my own personal experiences provide evidence of that.

Even those blockchain projects that claim to serve the unbanked/unbankeable seem to be so lost in the clouds. Humaniq, for example, an early one that Buterin supported in early 2017... their solution was a smartphone app.

A third (read that as 2 billion) of the world barely can afford a simple mobile (non-smart) phone, incapable of installing any Bitcoin wallet. Much of that population can't even reliably or affordably access Internet.

For "older generations", this may not be a problem for long, as they will be replaced. But those without access to technology?

[Rahar02]

Trying to get the older generations on board is extremely difficult. My mom has no idea how to use a computer, let alone my grandma. It's perhaps a waste of time at this point. They get along well using cash, the bank, and buying on the local shop.

 
The older generation does not seem to have the opportunity to use bitcoin as a means of payment, let our grandmas enjoy their life with peace without no hassle of technology. But seriously, using cash is a lot easier and faster at this point, there are a lot of non-physical payment methods around, including a debit card. When I stand in line at the shopping center to pay for my groceries, it takes a long time to reach the cashier due to some people pay using cards.

On the other hand kids born into iPads and phones have no problem with screens, so using Bitcoin will not be a problem for them.

The best and easiest way is tactile interfaces. Using your finger is easier for most people to get used to. I've seen some slick looking Lightning Network interfaces in which making payments would be extremely easy. I've seen moms that had no idea about technology learn how to use Whatsapp and share stuff around and so on. So it could be done.

Of course, you still need many merchants and a Bitcoin economy, something that I doubt most governments are going to allow, unless they can somehow control and tax everything. Until then it will remain digital gold which is not for most people because most people don't understand what the deal is.

Agree, definitely we need this in the future even though there are some obstacles to be overcome. hopefully, lightning network works someday to handle so many transactions at a time.

[Theb]

I recently visited back home and was helping my grandma use facebook, she found a product ad and wanted to buy that. And it was really tedious process, how she struggled with every step.

If you helped your grandmother use Facebook did you also help her in buying the product she is interested in? The way I see it is generations below the millennials/Gen Y are not meant for the technology (Bitcoin) we have now, if you observe some of your uncles and aunties or any old relatives are struggling using their touchscreen phones, they even have a different way of scrolling Facebook (Left hand holding the phone while the right index finger is scrolling) you see if they are struggling with their smartphones what made you think that they will be inclined or even attracted in using virtual currencies now? The old generation has to play catch up and it will take a while for them to do so also not all will be able to learn and be comfortable with the technology we have now.

Also for your thoughts with the 3rd world countries about struggling on learning the usage of Bitcoin, I myself don't see it. The internet is now cheap and fast you can even buy a decent smartphone for just 100$ which only the two things you essentially need in order to learn and use Bitcoin, you see you don't need to have a college education in order to learn Bitcoin, everything is accessible online with one Google search away and that is how a lot of us also have learned how to use and even earn Bitcoin. I am living in the Philippines and you will be surprised on how many online sellers both big and small resellers are accepting Bitcoin as a mode of payment.

[Kakmakr]

Do not underestimate people from 3rd world countries, because they might be smarter than you might think. Let's take Kenia for instance, they have been using M-Pesa <A digital centralized payment network that are running on mobile phones> before Bitcoin even existed. Also, when the need for something becomes essential, you are forced to find ways of getting or achieving it. 

You will be amazed with the stuff these people are doing to survive and they doing that with the minimum means available to them.