Average Congressman has nearly 60 years. Can those grandpas regulate bitcoin?

[The Sceptical Chymist]

I'm pretty sure they have advisers even though they are already seated as legislators and regulators. These advisers can explain to them what cryptocurrencies are in a concise manner without overwhelming these grandpas that you speak of.

That was my second thought about OP's post.  These "grandpas" don't really have to understand the mechanics of cryptocurrency for one thing.  They probably know enough of what bitcoin is (a bank-less, government-less currency) to make decisions as far as regulation, and whatever they don't know, they certainly aren't working alone in making decisions.  Every congressman has advisors and teams of information-gatherers, so I wouldn't write them off just because of their age.

My first thought was that being 60 years old doesn't make you ignorant of technology necessarily.  Crypto is certainly a younger person's game, but these people high up in government are generally not stupid people.  They're usually quite intelligent actually.  Your grandfather might not know how to use a cell phone or the internet, but that simply isn't true of all senior citizens--and 60 years old doesn't even make you a senior citizen anyway.

People are not elected to make laws for their expertise in whatever industry, but they are elected because they have the capacity to act on behalf of the interests of the people they represent, and they are fair and objective in their assessments. You can't expect congressmen to know everything about every law they have to examine.

Yep, all of that is true.  I'm not a fan of most politicians, but I don't hold their lack of expertise in various fields that they end up regulating against them.  They're not working totally in the dark on these things.

[yhiaali3]

For me, I doubt that, grandparents always cling to the old and love preserving the traditions and things they are used to, and it is difficult for them to accept change easily, there is always conflict between the old generations and the younger generation so I do not think that we will find new legislations towards accepting Bitcoin from these ancestors, maybe after A few years when a generation of young people take their place, things start to change.

[bitmover]

I'm pretty sure they have advisers even though they are already seated as legislators and regulators. These advisers can explain to them what cryptocurrencies are in a concise manner without overwhelming these grandpas that you speak of.

That was my second thought about OP's post.  These "grandpas" don't really have to understand the mechanics of cryptocurrency for one thing.  They probably know enough of what bitcoin is (a bank-less, government-less currency) to make decisions as far as regulation, and whatever they don't know, they certainly aren't working alone in making decisions.  Every congressman has advisors and teams of information-gatherers, so I wouldn't write them off just because of their age.

My first thought was that being 60 years old doesn't make you ignorant of technology necessarily.  Crypto is certainly a younger person's game, but these people high up in government are generally not stupid people.  They're usually quite intelligent actually.  Your grandfather might not know how to use a cell phone or the internet, but that simply isn't true of all senior citizens--and 60 years old doesn't even make you a senior citizen anyway.

I agree with you. Certainly advisers help and being 60 doesn't mean you are ignorant about tech

 however they do not need to follow advisers and neither a 60 is likely to be a tech guy. Ofc Bill Gates knows more about new techa than me, even though he is 70s... but he is not an average grandpa.
Average congressman probably cant even properly use his smartphone camera and play store , PayPal etc.

Putting younger people in Congress is important

[coolcoinz]

If only the world was like that and you had to be an expert to create laws in each and every field of science. Unfortunately, it isn't so. If you check the backgrounds of mmembers of parliament, you'll see that often a lawyer has a deciding vote in a health bill and a linguist creates or abolishes new taxes. The beauty of democracy

[Findingnemo]

I read a Twitter today about Google and Facebook regulations (which I couldn't find now). But this applies to cryptocurrency as well:

The average age of Members of the House at the beginning of the 115thCongress was 57.8 years; of Senators, 61.8years, among the oldest in U.S. history.

Source:
https://www.senate.gov/CRSpubs/b8f6293e-c235-40fd-b895-6474d0f8e809.pdf

People of those ages could easily be grandfathers. Do you think granpa could build the legislation for Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies?


Bitcoin is already big enough and conquered it space.  And bitcoin is not in war with regulators (at least not yet), but imo regulation will have to adapt to bitcoin, and not the opposite.

Those people will never agree that bitcoin is even a currency so trusting them will be a huge regret later.If there is a situation they understand that they need to regulate crypto currencies then simply they will implement more taxes and that is what they can do.

[BITCOIN4X]

Those people will never agree that bitcoin is even a currency so trusting them will be a huge regret later.If there is a situation they understand that they need to regulate crypto currencies then simply they will implement more taxes and that is what they can do.

If the government prohibit the circulation of bitcoin as a legal cryptocurrency, why should they tax bitcoin ?
I agree that the current government understand bitcoin very well because of its high value. They will forever fear that bitcoin will have a negative impact on the countrys economy. To be honest, I don'lt even agree that they ban bitcoin circulation but they also impose taxes.

[20kevin20]

The problem isn't necessarily age but the fact that they are more likely to push back tech related stuff (especially when it comes to tech a government cannot control) than younger people. Even if you explain only the advantages of Bitcoin to an older guy, chances are he'll reject it due to skepticism and probably come up with the old and typical "Gold is still better, it's palpable not virtual" argument.

So I definitely do agree that younger people shouldn't be sitting just on the advisors position but also as Congressmen. Younger minds sitting on a higher position could surely influence older Congressmen in a positive way by opening up their minds - and it's a much higher chance of having tech stuff properly regulated than having just grandpas on there as you say.

[audaciousbeing]

I read a Twitter today about Google and Facebook regulations (which I couldn't find now). But this applies to cryptocurrency as well:

The average age of Members of the House at the beginning of the 115thCongress was 57.8 years; of Senators, 61.8years, among the oldest in U.S. history.

Source:
https://www.senate.gov/CRSpubs/b8f6293e-c235-40fd-b895-6474d0f8e809.pdf

People of those ages could easily be grandfathers. Do you think granpa could build the legislation for Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies?


Bitcoin is already big enough and conquered it space.  And bitcoin is not in war with regulators (at least not yet), but imo regulation will have to adapt to bitcoin, and not the opposite.

Unfortunately, not all law making evolves around bitcoin because there are very sensitive national issues in areas of technology, security, economy or even wars that needs to be made by the experienced mind that are in the law making office of the land across the world.

Yes with legislations around bitcoin might come with certain challenges because of the age of those in charge as it is likely to come as a challenge to their way of life, then it's on the young people to explain to them via actions and proposals the advantages of any technology they want adopted. Another alternative is also for them to start grooming themselves to take over because whether we like it or not, those old people were once young.

[stompix]

People of those ages could easily be grandfathers. Do you think granpa could build the legislation for Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies?

Would you choose to have surgery with a 20 yo old doctor or a 60 yo "grandpa"?
Then, ask yourself, if you wouldn't trust a youngster with your life, why would you trust the fate of the whole country?

Besides, what's with all the fuss about 60yo old not being so open to technologies, do you realize these people who are now in their 60s were 40 when the dot-com bubble popped in 2000? That they were in their 30s when the CD-ROM was introduced and some of them were babies when the first personal computers went on sale? What's with this preconception, if somebody is old he probably can't answer a smartphone? I'm sure that if we take case by case there are some of those grandpas who have more knowledge about IT than many of the users around here, there are a lot of so-called "bitcoiners" who have no clue how bitcoin works in reality.

Yeah, Hal Finney being 53 in 2009 totally proves how unknowledgeable old people are.

[bitmover]

Would you choose to have surgery with a 20 yo old doctor or a 60 yo "grandpa"?

Without a doubt  , if age was to be the last criteria,  I would choose a doctor with 40s,50s.

There are ages between 20 and 60
At 60s,70s health problems might show upand are more common, the doctor could be shaking at my surgery or closed minded to new techs.

Besides, what's with all the fuss about 60yo old not being so open to technologies, do you realize these people who are now in their 60s were 40 when the dot-com bubble popped in 2000? That they were in their 30s when the CD-ROM was introduced and some of them were babies when the first personal computers went on sale? What's with this preconception, if somebody is old he probably can't answer a smartphone? I'm sure that if we take case by case there are some of those grandpas who have more knowledge about IT than many of the users around here, there are a lot of so-called "bitcoiners" who have no clue how bitcoin works in reality.

Yeah, Hal Finney being 53 in 2009 totally proves how unknowledgeable old people are.

I think it is more common to find bitcoiners of 30-50 than 50-70.

People at 30_50 are more open to new techs and they understand it better. Hal Finney is an exception...

[Harlot]

I get where you are getting at and these "grandparents" we are talking about among the years I have seen in news on their statements/opinions towards newer generation things like Bitcoin or even social media (Facebook) aren't aware of what they are even talking about. I've heard statements from these oldies about Bitcoin being a crypto in the dark web or something that only criminals news, I've heard statements that mining farms generate more pollution as well as consume more electricity. All of these statements are coming from senators, congressmen, as well as economists all of whom are old. They are either clueless of what they are talking about or they are just close minded in these topics.

[Rengga Jati]

The average age of Members of the House at the beginning of the 115thCongress was 57.8 years; of Senators, 61.8years, among the oldest in U.S. history.

I am thinking of "are those grandpas same with the rgandpas in my area?" Wait, that is the age of my father actually and he is a grandpa.

They may be reliable to be the parties that contribute or decide the regulation for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. But, there are some notes.
1. They may know about it well
- It may relate to their knowledge. We don't really know who they are and what kind of people they are. they probably understand well about the crypto world and they are also learning about this (but I am sure that it will be hard for learning again.).
2. They may only know a few, not much, but they also have some guidance. This is probably the place they are right now. They know about the Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies but they don't know every single detail specifically. therefore, I am sure that the senators will not decide it by their only knowledge. They will ask for the consideration, though, and also research from the experts of crypto-related people. So that they can make the wisest decision for the BTC and cryptocurrency regulation.

[achach]

No, definitely not. But soon this will change and crypto will be mentioned more often among congressmen.

[kryptqnick]

I read a Twitter today about Google and Facebook regulations (which I couldn't find now). But this applies to cryptocurrency as well:

The average age of Members of the House at the beginning of the 115thCongress was 57.8 years; of Senators, 61.8years, among the oldest in U.S. history.

Source:
https://www.senate.gov/CRSpubs/b8f6293e-c235-40fd-b895-6474d0f8e809.pdf

People of those ages could easily be grandfathers. Do you think granpa could build the legislation for Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies?


Bitcoin is already big enough and conquered it space.  And bitcoin is not in war with regulators (at least not yet), but imo regulation will have to adapt to bitcoin, and not the opposite.

Assuming that old people necessarily cannot pass the legislation on something new is kinda ageist. However, given that these people have lived most their lives in a different world and are still getting used to how things are changing, I agree that there would have been a better chance of reasonable crypto legislation had the senators been younger on average. My grandfather is very cautious and skeptical towards Bitcoin, he truly believes that money which is not controlled by the government is something shady and too risky to use. But luckily, he's not among those making decisions regarding legislation.

[Assface16678]

I'm pretty sure they will not approve this kind of improvements with the use of the cryptocurrency we all know even this is one of the best-growing investments and payment method but still, they don't want to use this because they are afraid about this things

I remember right now about the things they are told that are "baby boomers afraid to changes" this is just basically norms and saying of the millennials vs baby boomers.

By the way, I think the government will not deep dive into the world of cryptocurrency and especially to the bitcoin because this is decentralized they cannot make an earning regarding with this or else they support the use of it and makes their own exchange and add some taxes on the transactions now they can benefit the use of it.

[serjent05]

People of those ages could easily be grandfathers. Do you think granpa could build the legislation for Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies?

Definitely, if they are on the position.  I think this is not a matter of age but rather if they hold a position in the legislative department.

Bitcoin is already big enough and conquered it space.  And bitcoin is not in war with regulators (at least not yet), but imo regulation will have to adapt to bitcoin, and not the opposite.

Definitely regulators will adopt Bitcoin but not to the point that it will let Bitcoin dictates the pace.  Regulators are there to regulate or moderate Bitcoin so that it won't conflict with the existing laws.  If it conflicts then they will never adapt to it if it breaks some of the existing rules rather they will make a way in which Bitcoin and the current law coexist.

[Nhor1011]

Age doesn't matter in regulating bitcoin. Their old age is not a hindrance to the measures they want to implement.They have their own way to know better about bitcoin if they are smart person.let us not underestimate the ability of the elders working in the congress.

[South Park]

I read a Twitter today about Google and Facebook regulations (which I couldn't find now). But this applies to cryptocurrency as well:

The average age of Members of the House at the beginning of the 115thCongress was 57.8 years; of Senators, 61.8years, among the oldest in U.S. history.

Source:
https://www.senate.gov/CRSpubs/b8f6293e-c235-40fd-b895-6474d0f8e809.pdf

People of those ages could easily be grandfathers. Do you think granpa could build the legislation for Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies?


Bitcoin is already big enough and conquered it space.  And bitcoin is not in war with regulators (at least not yet), but imo regulation will have to adapt to bitcoin, and not the opposite.

It really depends, in theory taking into account that technology is becoming more and more dominant each passing year a few of those people should be experts in different fields of technology and if that was the case then there will be no problem, but we know that in order to reach those positions in the government for the most part your expertise does not matter, so the question becomes are they humble enough to know that it is impossible for them to create a decent regulation on their own and ask the advice of experts? And if I am honest I do not believe that is the case.

[Reatim]

-Snip-

It really depends, in theory taking into account that technology is becoming more and more dominant each passing year a few of those people should be experts in different fields of technology and if that was the case then there will be no problem, but we know that in order to reach those positions in the government for the most part your expertise does not matter, so the question becomes are they humble enough to know that it is impossible for them to create a decent regulation on their own and ask the advice of experts? And if I am honest I do not believe that is the case.

They have their own interpretations, they are smart in terms of knowing things around them and bitcoin is no longer a small things to talk but already worldwide that needs to address.

Those grandpa's knows that they've needed to implied rules that will be accurate and be accordance with the laws,
It's not just because  they are old they don't know how to balance things, it so happened that there are many things
That new to them and it will take more research before they fully understand the whole actual industry.

[maxreish]

 People of those ages could easily be grandfathers. Do you think granpa could build the legislation for Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies?
 

 We shall not judge those old men. In the first place, they know the law amd working in legislative fields. Not all aged man doesn't understand bitcoin. Even if they have so many things to weigh and to consider about cryptocurrency, I believe those man are broad minded ones and will still welcome new technology like bitcoin.
 
 Let's not underestimate their personality and intelligence. When it comes to the good future, they will be considerate enough about it.