When explaining Bitcoin to someone, what are some key points to speak about?

[h4xx0r]

Explain to them that bitcointalk is full of scammers and they should avoid it at all costs.

[rampage101]

Bitcoin has value because:

1) it's scarce
2) it's useful

If they talk about Beanie Babies, you can explain that Beanie Babies were scarce, but they were not useful.

[btcduke]

The total amount doesn’t change.
It’s convenient to pay between countries.

[farjia]

I personally tell them about the decentralized nature and the lack of a middle man in transactions. What would BCT recommend to grab attention?

if the price of Bitcoin rises up ,i think more and more people will pay  attention to it .

Yes, I was trying to explain it to my father one day and he didn't seem too interested in it and then I told him the price of 1 bitcoin (It was around $600 at the time) and I immediately got his attention.

[bitnanigans]

1. Fast transactions, but only with fees
2. Secure, but only if you've taken the proper steps
3. Ability to have as many wallet addresses as desired

[fa]

I used to say rise in price and deflation... but recently I switched to money freedom 

[TrailingComet]

Divisibility, irreversibility, peer to peer , and low transaction fees

[NEM minnow]

Bitcoin isn't just money like a dollar or a euro, it is a programmable money.  It can be endowed with qualities, directions, limits, and purpose. 

A dollar bill is an dumb analog token.  A bit is digital, adaptable, and programmable token.  Which do you think is better?   

[adhitthana]

The Cyprus "Bail in" is worth mentioning. Most people think they still own the money they deposit into a bank. In fact they have loaned the money to the bank.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/10024209/Bank-of-Cyprus-executes-depositor-bail-in.html

[Lethn]

Wait until the crash, then start explaining it to them, that's what I've decided, I've noticed the more the stock market starts to tumble the more people seem interested, they'll only move over to Bitcoin if they genuinely think that there's a chance the economy will go again.

[TSE]

the personal that its likely u will get rich when bitcoin suceeds. Given by the fact that there wont be enough bitcoins to give every citizen of a capitol like New York or Shanghai more than one single bitcoin.

the global aspect. Which is that this is the first time we have the poss to self control our money and not beeing slaves of the world banking system

[liu405]

I personally tell them about the decentralized nature and the lack of a middle man in transactions. What would BCT recommend to grab attention?

i will say that  he can earn money through the Bitcoin , when he  take part in ,he may find the fun about Bitcoin naturally

[Daniel91]

1. Fast transactions, but only with fees
2. Secure, but only if you've taken the proper steps
3. Ability to have as many wallet addresses as desired

Very good points.
I would add also a few more.
4. Very good investment for your money.
5. Possibility to avoid ''big banks'' and help to decentralize world banking.

[adhitthana]

The Cyprus "Bail in" is worth mentioning. Most people think they still own the money they deposit into a bank. In fact they have loaned the money to the bank.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/10024209/Bank-of-Cyprus-executes-depositor-bail-in.html

You could show them this too.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/us/law-lets-irs-seize-accounts-on-suspicion-no-crime-required.html?rref=us&module=Ribbon&version=origin&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&pgtype=article&_r=1

ARNOLDS PARK, Iowa — For almost 40 years, Carole Hinders has dished out Mexican specialties at her modest cash-only restaurant. For just as long, she deposited the earnings at a small bank branch a block away — until last year, when two tax agents knocked on her door and informed her that they had seized her checking account, almost $33,000.

The Internal Revenue Service agents did not accuse Ms. Hinders of money laundering or cheating on her taxes — in fact, she has not been charged with any crime. Instead, the money was seized solely because she had deposited less than $10,000 at a time, which they viewed as an attempt to avoid triggering a required government report.

“How can this happen?” Ms. Hinders said in a recent interview. “Who takes your money before they prove that you’ve done anything wrong with it?”

The federal government does.

[Dabs]

Yeah. The government can't take your money if it's in bitcoin. Well, not easily anyway.

Imagine if you were Ms. Hinders, with a Mexican specialties cash-only restaurant, that incidentally started accepting Bitcoins. For the next 40 years, you deposit the cash earnings and have it converted to bitcoins the next day, while keeping the bitcoin-only payments, both sent to different paper wallets.

[BIT-Sharon]

It is not only a speculation which will earn you 1000 times of income, but also a mature and unlimited electronic currency which saves you amount of transaction fees. Besides,  it is a designed and perfect technology product which refers to many subjects of what you learned.

[Rewap]

Awesome explanation of how Bitcoin sidechains work and why they are important for Bitcoin's future.

A simple explanation of Bitcoin “Sidechains”

http://gendal.wordpress.com/2014/10/26/a-simple-explanation-of-bitcoin-sidechains/

Can you also list the problems encountered when using sidechains?

[waser12]

Bitcoin in decentralized and you have the control on your own money, in add its an opportunity to get rich or get a lot of money if you are a good trader.