How would you explain bitcoin to someone?

[nakamura12]

If someone wants to be introduced into Bitcoin is I explained about what is Bitcoin and how a person can have some opportunities to earn. Just by explaining the basic information about Bitcoin is enough for in my opinion for someone who might be interested in Bitcoin and also tell them that they should make some research as Bitcoin isn't a get rich quick scheme and must be patient. The reason why I say to make their own research is that there are lots of people who are into Bitcoin and it's not impossible to find information about Bitcoin and let's no forget about the security and especially our privacy.

[BlackHatCoiner]

If you actually understand serious infosec, you'd not use words like "secure" and instead used, "secured", i.e. the verb.

Then I'm not certain how you used the word "secure" previously. You compared Napster (a peer-to-peer file-sharing service) with Google (may I assume you meant Google Drive?). In what manner is Google more secure?

The way I understand Bitcoin's security is not from a user interface perspective. It is far more likely that a user makes a mistake and loses the bitcoin, than his Revolut balance. In that regard, Revolut is more "secure" than the Bitcoin wallet. However, from the perspective of an attacker who wants to take down, or breach or hack a payments network, it is far easier to do it in Revolut, or to some shitcoin than bitcoin.

[Ambatman]

Young money
It's money that doesn't loss it's value as time goes on but instead appreciates.
a time of money that isn't own by any country and can be used across the world
Young because people have not seen how it stands as money.
If you are focused on its Now you might be disappointed just know that its evolved money
It's digital and the future.

[Cryptoprincess101]

Do we still need to explain bitcoin to anyone at this point? except someone that doesn't make use of the internet that will need explanation about bitcoin and someone who don't have access to the internet due to not being educated or lacking the finance to purchase an internet enabled phone

The Internet is full of information, which seems like a good thing but nope, too much of information makes people dump too or don't know which one they can trust and to know the truth they need to do further research but most people will stop at that point and take whatever they read as true.

Underlined the part that you said ''too much of information can make people dump''. Before someone is able to gather so much information from the internet don't you think that they must have made research from different sources? do you mean that all the information they get from many people will make them dump? let it make sense to me because am trying to ascertain why getting many information from the internet will make someone dump. When we say DYOR, it's not only one research but many research.

As I said in the previous post, if they want to know about bitcoin they will take steps but making them actually interested in the simplest way is the intention behind this thread.

You do not need to convince anyone about bitcoin again; it has passed that stage of we trying to create any awareness about bitcoin. If anyone wants to know more about bitcoin they should come to you for help and you will help to the best of your knowledge about bitcoin and still tell them to also do their own research.

[legiteum]

If you actually understand serious infosec, you'd not use words like "secure" and instead used, "secured", i.e. the verb.

The way I understand Bitcoin's security is not from a user interface perspective. It is far more likely that a user makes a mistake and loses the bitcoin, than his Revolut balance. In that regard, Revolut is more "secure" than the Bitcoin wallet. However, from the perspective of an attacker who wants to take down, or breach or hack a payments network, it is far easier to do it in Revolut, or to some shitcoin than bitcoin.

Why would a hacker try to take down an entire network? We had this discussion here a while back about the possibility of a 51% attack on Bitcoin, and while it's theoretically possible, there's no discernible reason somebody (who would need to be a major state actor) would want to do this. The same goes for trying to erase all of Citibank's bank accounts. There would be no reason, which is probably why we've never seen this for any major serious system.

Hackers go after money, and they therefore go after the system's weak spots, which are virtually always ultimately human.

A well-secured blockchain network is secured and a well-secured modern system is secure. A poorly-secured any of those things is not secure. The architecture doesn't usually matter unless it's something really dumb.

[ZAINmalik75]

Very simple, I would never scare anyone off at the beginning by arguing too much.

Bitcoin is basically digital money you control yourself. No bank or government in the middle.
You own your own saving  and can send money straight to anyone, anywhere.
Over time it protect your value better than cash, which can be printed and lose worth.

If he were even minimally sensible he would understand with just a few word.

You are right, we might scare them with the ideas we are okay with, like how we can control our funds with the keys and if they are gone, the funds are gone no matter the funds are in millions, also many fears that the funds if gone can't be recovered but the truth should be shared, otherwise they won't know what not to do, but in the start they should not be given the full truth.

because sometime the reality take times to settle so let them clear things out kust give them a side, some of us are already looking for an opportunity like this, but many only know about btc, they don't have any idea of alts, so they just are aware of btc because in their eyes it made people rich but now the time is up no one can be rich the old stories they have heard are only about early adopters, they need new stories.

[Alpha Marine]

If the person is someone who understands the financial system and understands how money works, it won't be a problem to explain Bitcoin to them. By simply letting them know that Bitcoin is a currency where they can hold and control on their own, without needing any bank or centralised system to keep it for them. A currency that can also be an asset if they hold it for a long term, so they don't need to worry about inflation when they want to keep it for the long term.

It's trickier if the person doesn't understand the money system or the financial system. If they don't see the dangers of handing over all the money of your country to a third party and have no choice but to trust them that they will do right by you, then you will first have to make them see it. The fees they pay, the lack of control they have over their money and how vulnerable this makes them. Then there is the problem of inflation.
When they understand this, then you can talk to them about an alternative to all these problems, Bitcoin. Then again, it's where their money can be an asset, unlike in fiat, where it just keeps losing value over time. 

[famososMuertos]

OP: Hi-Hola
That question may have been valid a few years ago, but nowadays it’s difficult not to understand Bitcoin if you have basic access to information — a smartphone and an internet connection. However, it’s undeniable that in today’s society there are more urgent priorities to address, and one of them is access to information itself.

The issue is that access to information now depends on hardware; it’s no longer about having a book or access to a library. Under these circumstances, the real question isn’t how we explain Bitcoin, but why we have to explain it in the first place.

I believe much more can be achieved by promoting access to information or by creating communities that function as information hubs in cases of extreme poverty. I think El Salvador has shown that it can be done — it’s possible to educate the majority without focusing solely on one-to-one efforts.

Regarding your question, “How would you explain Bitcoin to someone?” — the concept remains clear, but the way it’s approached has definitely changed. It’s no longer simply a matter of person-to-person explanation; between the person who understands it and the novice, there must be at least one smartphone.

[FirmWars]

When you introduce people to Bitcoin, it doesn't end well most times because those fellas would want to blame you for their own mistakes which could have been avoided if the person had ask you some question that will help them. If you insist, start by tell them that Bitcoin will give them privacy of their own funds, explain to them how Bitcoin eliminate a third party in receiving payment and also tell them what is possible by Bitcoin in the future. After you have explained the need to have Bitcoin, then explain the risk too and let them decide, don't force it.

[Kelvinid]

Mine is like this, if you want to be with your own bank, then invest in bitcoin. Bitcoin is decentralized, so it cannot be controlled by anyone else, not any group or entity, so its free from the eyes of the government.

However, bitcoin is highly volatile but not in a negative way. Meaning to say, its price may dump from a peak price, but it will always recover and reaches its new all time high. So you don't have to worry whenever price fluctuations arise, because its the only way so that bitcoin will continue to rise, along with its price and its value in the market.

[freedomgo]

Its hard to explain to someone when that person you're trying to discuss with knows nothing about bitcoin. Its better if he has made some few research prior to that so that he can understand the concept well.

But let me try it. Bitcoin is like fiat, it can be a currency and an asset in nature. The only difference is, it cannot be touch nor hold, but it can be visible with your own two eyes through online since its a digital currency.

Now, if you want to be free from fiat and government, stick to bitcoin. With bitcoin, you are your own bank, and you are solely responsible of the safety and security of your bitcoin. Unlike fiat, banks take hold of it and keep them as their own. So they're free to do what they want on your money.

With bitcoin, you take hold of it and control it. I think that's the biggest advantage there, you grow your bitcoin without other people knowing it.

[Chifather247]

Well for me i will just tell the person Bitcoin is digital money, not controlled by banks or governments.The  Transactions are recorded publicly, making it secure and transparent. It's like cash, but digital form and global, but it's volatile.

[bitcoindusts]

So no need to talk about price and share any technical source, just plain and simple, how would you explain Bitcoin to someone briefly?

I think I can explain it simply by saying Bitcoin is a boundless digital monetary system where one is able to send transaction without the need of their party intermediaries as long as it is from a non-custodial wallet.  I won't dwell in technical terms but just show the basic knowledge about Bitcoin being a currency.  Then will give him references that explains Bitcoin technical and economical functions.

[Chifather247]

Its hard to explain to someone when that person you're trying to discuss with knows nothing about bitcoin. Its better if he has made some few research prior to that so that he can understand the concept well.

But let me try it. Bitcoin is like fiat, it can be a currency and an asset in nature. The only difference is, it cannot be touch nor hold, but it can be visible with your own two eyes through online since its a digital currency.

Now, if you want to be free from fiat and government, stick to bitcoin. With bitcoin, you are your own bank, and you are solely responsible of the safety and security of your bitcoin. Unlike fiat, banks take hold of it and keep them as their own. So they're free to do what they want on your money.

With bitcoin, you take hold of it and control it. I think that's the biggest advantage there, you grow your bitcoin without other people knowing it.

well said brother i totally agree with your start point of view on bitcoin to me i feel its also very important for us to let them know about bitcoin being volatile in nature, so the dont feel like, prices are so constant like the fiat. Thanks

[Muba20]

People are becoming more and more aware about Bitcoin. They are now quite aware of the benefits of Bitcoin. Simply, the priority I give to telling others about Bitcoin is that they should accept Bitcoin for the security of their assets and to protect themselves from inflation. When ordinary people are worried about their assets, Bitcoin provides them with a solution to all kinds of problems. Generally, in the conventional sense, if a person has financial assets, he is not safe. For any reason, his assets can be attacked in various ways from different quarters, but when someone holds Bitcoin, on the one hand, he can properly protect his assets and on the other hand, it will also be safe.

[Chifather247]

You can send money anywhere in the world 24/7 without relying on banks. On top of that, you pay very low fees. You also have an advantage that no government currency has, your money doesn't lose value as inflation rises in your country.
If you store your coins properly, governments can't claim your money or seize it without a reason. Even if your wealth is very large, you can carry it with you anywhere in the world. You're not affected by ridiculous customs rules.

There's no need to reinvent the wheel. These points are enough to summarize Bitcoin for someone new to it.

Wow i really love your points you are so on point, i totally agree with you on all the above mentioned points, well all i will always say is bitcoin is the future which the government can't destroy.😊 Bitcoin represents a paradigm shift in financial freedom, far from governmental control or manipulation. Its decentralized nature ensures that no single entity can dismantle or dictate its fate. As the world increasingly adopts digital currencies, Bitcoin's resilience and potential for mass adoption solidify its position as a pioneering force in shaping the future of finance

[Publictalk792]

Best way to explain Bitcoin is to think about people who have ownership of money and not workings of technology. Other than bank keeping secret book of accounts and government printing more and more money which causes your savings to be worth less, Bitcoin uses shared notebook that everyone can read, but no one can cheat. Bitcoins are limited to 21 million only and this makes them similar to digital gold since no one can print more Bitcoins to help him or her. This provides you with peaceful way of protecting your hard work because of increasing prices since you, and nobody else, can unlock your account and you do not have to trust dishonest people but only law of mathematics and physics. So, Bitcoin is just another global, online currency, which no one owns, and it serves as safety net of your savings in world where normal money is becoming useless every single day.

[Aloysius01]

Do we still need to explain bitcoin to anyone at this point? except someone that doesn't make use of the internet that will need explanation about bitcoin and someone who don't have access to the internet due to not being educated or lacking the finance to purchase an internet enabled phone or computer do not even need to know anything about bitcoin because what will be the essence of doing that, everything you will tell such person will just be like pouring water in a basket. The only thing i can explain to someone (that is, if they meet me for help) is how to secure their wallets.

You’re right about one thing though explaining Bitcoin to someone with no internet access or no financial infrastructure Bitcoin is a digital without connectivity, it’s nearly unusable. In that case wallet security advice is more valuable that philosophical discussion.
However I wouldn’t say it’s pouring water in a basket, even people with limited access today may gain access tomorrow. Financial literacy compounds.
Your position I will only help if some asks , especially about wallet security is actually a mature stance. It avoids avoid evangelism and focuses on responsibility, Teaching someone, how to secure private keys, why not to share seed phrase, why exchanges aren’t long term storage.

[BitGoba]

Well, such a rookie question but I am looking for some new ideas to explain about bitcoin and why they should have bitcoin in the simplest way possible, because 90% of them will not be interested in learning the whitepaper if they don't get the concept of decentralization and how central banks are ripping the people with money printers.

So no need to talk about price and share any technical source, just plain and simple, how would you explain Bitcoin to someone briefly?

Bitcoin cannot be understood unless we first understand what money is.
That is why we should first explain what money is.
Once people understand money, then we can explain how the fiat monetary system works
When people understand what the fiat monetary system is and how it robs them and keeps them in debt slavery, then they will look for an alternative  and that’s when Bitcoin becomes much, much clearer to them as a decentralized monetary system and money
If it doesn’t hurt, you won’t go to the doctor.
People aren’t interested in Bitcoin until they feel the pain.

There is a good 40-minute video made by Joe Bryan he realized that people don’t understand Bitcoin because they don’t understand what the problem is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtFOxNbmD38

[john_egbert]

well said brother i totally agree with your start point of view on bitcoin to me i feel its also very important for us to let them know about bitcoin being volatile in nature, so the dont feel like, prices are so constant like the fiat. Thanks

Volatility comes from coins being not like fiat, for that matter - they are not regulated.. So the demand dictates the value