I Taught my Octogenarian and Septuagenarian Parents about Bitcoin

[Oluwa-btc]

I'm 80 in June. Why are you guys surprised that older people can embrace the concept of Bitcoin? Many of us have enquiring minds, and are prepared to look at new concepts with an open attitude. This is why many older people have a better understanding of the 'rona scam and vaccination mania, and don't just accept government and pharma' propaganda.

Partly, my mum ain't online friendly, but my Dad has got an eye for online stuf. I have told him some time before of how various NGO's are funding Ukraine Bitcoin as a result of the war on going.
Not all people are internet aware as this might be too complex to understand the context about bitcoin, you can equally say it's an online money. Birthday Wishes in advance JT!

[TheGhostMan]

I don't see anything wrong with this, on the contrary, today technology has advanced a lot and these great beings have lagged behind a bit, despite the fact that they have heard or at least investigated this subject, they don't fully understand it. Now more than they come from a time when all this was not handled at all... I want to keep in mind that this is not in all cases, surely some understand it and even use it in their economy. So I see very well that we as children, nephews and even grandchildren can explain a little about this world, just by listening they could be interested or draw attention to crypto assets, which is what is currently standing out in the world of the economy.

[Franctoshi]

With the current state of the economy of various countries and the rising inflation hitting the world's economy , I think any learned old Man or Woman within the age of 70-80 who experienced the 2009 high inflation rate would buy the idea of diving into Bitcoin When they got proper explanation on how the technology works,
therefore the smart ones out of them who are now stay at home Mom and Dad would likely find it very interesting to learn how to leverage from Bitcoin.

[Kakmakr]

I also explained Bitcoin to my parents, but all they care about is the profit potential.    I guess it is my own fault, because I showed them that I made a more than 800% profit on my first bitcoins that I bought. 

I actually used the "Gold" mining analogy in my explanation..because it is easier to understand the rarity of Gold ...than trying to convince them that "Coal" is rare. 

Well Done OP, you have a special talent to explain things... now start to use that on the younger generation... because they are the future of Bitcoin. 

[Pmalek]

Have you tried to talk to your parents or any senior citizen about bitcoin?

I tried to get my father interested in Bitcoin a couple of times, but eventually I gave up. I thought that based on his work experience, he would appreciate the technology and the idea behind it. But he is a stubborn old-school type of person who sees no benefits in changing the way he transacts now and adopting something completely new. I even bought him a book for his birthday explaining Bitcoin for those who have never heard about it, but he wasn't interested. He started reading it and stopped after a few pages. I respect his decision, even though I don't agree with him. 

[riso2015]

Did you also tell them about risk and volatility, if you don't tell them they can get overexcited and take wrong steps if they make up their mind to invest. You explained Bitcoin to them in a good way, you told them it is a currency rather than a money making investment, the right step should be learning Bitcoin as a currency first, then other functions can come later. At your parents age it is unlikely that they would want to use Bitcoin, but one must not use it to have knowledge of it.

I agree with your review, educating parents about bitcoin is a great idea, but what's even better I think personally we give the results we get from bitcoin to our parents, so they can enjoy the rest of their lives happily and he can buy anything he just wants, I think old age is a time to enjoy, not a time to learn about blockchain, because their life is not long, what they need is peace.

[suzanne5223]

Many of us have enquiring minds, and are prepared to look at new concepts with an open attitude.

Not disputing this as a fact, but in truth, they are mostly open minded to accept new innovations when presented by someone mature, around their age grade, someone they are already familiar with, a successful individual, someone they deem knowledgeable in a particular field and not just any random individual. The elderly are selective of the information they accept.

Yes, people within the Sexagenarian to Octogenarian are mostly open mind and also good listeners but when we talk about innovative technology or concept I think it's not about age but personal interest and understanding. We have people who are Teen to Quadragenarians and never want to get involved with Bitcoin but they can spend half of their 24hours on meaningless social media activities.
I respect the OP for taking teaching to a new level because the belief of most crypto users is that a mature person cant acknowledge cryptocurrency.

[Markinzo]

If many can find out such time bit by bit to educate their aged parents about the universal  currency called Bitcoin and it's intricacies then it's going to really increase the interest of older persons in Bitcoin trading.

[jrrsparkles]

There is no denial that old people can understand about Bitcoin but when we talk about majority who doesn't even know the central banks are printing more money every year can't accept the bitcoin because its not from government so they will say it can't be trusted as government printed money. To understand about the importance of bitcoin the people need to acquire the knowledge about finance and economics then to trust the Bitcoin they need to understand about the blockchain and trustless medium of exchange with no Central authority.

[mk4]

I'm 80 in June. Why are you guys surprised that older people can embrace the concept of Bitcoin? Many of us have enquiring minds, and are prepared to look at new concepts with an open attitude.

It's not that most older folks can't look at newer concepts with an open attitude, it's the fact that most older folks aren't willing to look at newer concepts in the first place. Also taking note that older folks that are into modern technology are really really rare to start with. I know a good chunk of the older demographic(aged 50+), and only like 1 out of 30 are decently into technology outside of just mindlessly scrolling Facebook.

Seriously though, good for you for being open minded.

[franky1]

though jetcash lives in a van and is a anti-vaxxer.. i to am surprised he actually likes science/technology/property

..
that said. most elderly people dont fear new technology. my elder relatives have facebook and use tablets and do everything online.. but their main premiss is things that are actually useful to their lives they would bother to get involved in.

my elder relatives understand gold has use and purpose. but they dont care to hear about sluicing and washplants and smelting. this stuff is not useful to their daily lives. they dont need to know it and precious time wasted listening to the processes wont add any value to their lives.

so keep it short and practical. use examples that actually have meaning to them. dont over complex things.

[Gyfts]

I'm 80 in June. Why are you guys surprised that older people can embrace the concept of Bitcoin?

It's based on the myth that older folks are not adaptable with technology. I don't really buy it. You don't have to have been someone that grew up in a technologically advanced world to understand crypto. Basic cryptography is not complicated. I'd consider older folks more prone to Bitcoin acceptance opposed to the younger generation that looks towards socialism and government control of every facet of society. It takes the most basic understanding of economics to understand the merit of Bitcoin, and the younger generation is increasingly lacking that basic understanding.

[ilovealtcoins]

It's not just amazing and this surprised me, congratulations to you and your parents. This is something that I think very few people do because absorbing technology with older people, you know it's not easy. I have always thought bitcoin and blockchain would be more suitable for younger people than previous generations. But maybe I was wrong and many people were as wrong as I was.

[kryptqnick]

This is an inspiring story. The parents to seem curious, though, as they asked about the yellow "B" and about the charts (many wouldn't care enough to ask). I also love that the mine analogy was relevant to them, and overall your explanation seems very newbie-friendly, which is great (I agree with Zlantann you'd be a good teacher).
My experience with a 75-year-old relative wasn't as successful. But he wasn't curious, he already thought he knew Bitcoin's a scam, so he wanted to talk me out of having anything to do with it. Some other relatives of similar age know roughly that it's something digital online, and that I'm into it, but they also think it's something shady and aren't interested in learning more.

[wiss19]

Old people doesn't always mean that they are weak already but there are old people that are still active and capable of doing almost any things that you can ever imagine. You are lucky that your parents are one of it. But he BTC sticker on your lappy is yellow? Because your parents' said it was yellow but bitcoins default colour is orange or maybe your parents have a problem with their vision? Which is normal for most seniors.

When your about to explain blockchain to them, they then gave a reason and seems they are  trying to avoid you. I think they are starting to get annoyed? Looks like they know that blockchain was a harder topic than bitcoin.

[peter0425]

If many can find out such time bit by bit to educate their aged parents about the universal  currency called Bitcoin and it's intricacies then it's going to really increase the interest of older persons in Bitcoin trading.

My Mother use to hate what i am doing in crypto though she is a very business minded person , but eventually over time as She sees I am gaining good? last year She starts learning about bitcoin and also some altcoins , and now? she is holding at least 8 cryptocurrencies and of course majority is Bitcoin.

[Botnake]

If many can find out such time bit by bit to educate their aged parents about the universal  currency called Bitcoin and it's intricacies then it's going to really increase the interest of older persons in Bitcoin trading.

My Mother use to hate what i am doing in crypto though she is a very business minded person , but eventually over time as She sees I am gaining good? last year She starts learning about bitcoin and also some altcoins , and now? she is holding at least 8 cryptocurrencies and of course majority is Bitcoin.

Well, that is indeed good because you let her to get curious first before you make some move in informing her about the reality and existence of bitcoin. We know that our parents will be much skeptical when they see that we're pouring plenty of time facing the computer/laptop instead of finding some decent job because in their time, maybe they don't even used to see or even had a chance to touch and use computer that's why they don't know what's the advantage of the technology now if you know how to use it right. So it's just normal that they will react that way and what they know that an original job is working from 8 to 5. But you my friend, I congratulate you for sharing the knowledge about bitcoin to your mother.