POLL: Is Bitcoin for EVERYONE or just a new ELITE? Vote!

[solex]

Is this a rhetorical question?

It should be, but this discussion shows it relevant to Bitcoin's future direction:

Permanently keeping the 1MB (anti-spam) restriction is a great idea ...

[Sindelar1938]

Bitcoin as a technology that is for everyone

[Possum577]

Technology should be for everyone. Period. Full Stop.

It's like information, information is for all. Although I realize some governments oppress their people and restrict access to information.

[Bitcoinexp]

Definitely everyone, it would defeat the purpose of bitcoin if only an elite group controlled it like the centralized currency we have now.

[Kprawn]

I will most definately say for EVERYONE.

The limited fee structure make it ideal for the poor people to use it. I am one of the lucky people who have worked with the poorest of the poor of Africa on contract work.

These people cannot afford to have bank accounts, because they simply do not have disposable cash to keep in a bank account. They live from hand to mouth... and food is the main concern, not how much money you have stored in a bank account.

They will use the currency to save on fees, charged on money deposited in their accounts. {Example : Weekly salary = $10 .... minus $0.50 transaction fee, for withdrawal = $9.50}

The remittance market will also make a huge difference to the families at home. {Bitpesa / M-pesa is already making a difference}

[bryant.coleman]

Right now, 99.9% of the world population are unable to use the Bitcoin, because they are not tech savvy enough. Storage of Bitcoin is risky, and prone to robbery and hacks. So, until this problem is solved, BTC is not for everyone.

[Daniel91]

Right now, 99.9% of the world population are unable to use the Bitcoin, because they are not tech savvy enough. Storage of Bitcoin is risky, and prone to robbery and hacks. So, until this problem is solved, BTC is not for everyone.

I agree with you that right now bitcoin is not for everyone but 99,9 %, how did you calculate this?
I think that this number is much lower because right now only limitations in using bitcoin is Internet connection, basic English knowledge and information about BTC.

[bryant.coleman]

I think that this number is much lower because right now only limitations in using bitcoin is Internet connection, basic English knowledge and information about BTC.

No. The most important limitation is to store Bitcoin safely, away the from robbers and hackers. I don't think a lot of people know how to make Paper wallets or USB backups.

[Mowcore]

Bitcoin is for me and no one else.

All your transactions are belong to me.

[QuestionAuthority]

Control of resources and power always migrates to those with luck, intellect and ability. Everyone on the globe can use dollars but a few small groups of individuals control the system. Bitcoin will be no different. The control of Bitcoin already rests in the hands of a small select group of businessmen and devs even though individuals around the world are using it.

[TYT]

I think that this number is much lower because right now only limitations in using bitcoin is Internet connection, basic English knowledge and information about BTC.

No. The most important limitation is to store Bitcoin safely, away the from robbers and hackers. I don't think a lot of people know how to make Paper wallets or USB backups.

This will come with time. You could say the older generation can't use PCs or Mobile phones but the majority don't seem to have a problem. You've also got to remember newer generations are far more tech savvy and will get even more so as time goes on.

[R2D221]

Control of resources and power always migrates to those with luck, intellect and ability. Everyone on the globe can use dollars but a few small groups of individuals control the system. Bitcoin will be no different. The control of Bitcoin already rests in the hands of a small select group of businessmen and devs even though individuals around the world are using it.

Yes, but that's just how money works, and Bitcoin was not designed to solve the money distribution problem. The point here is that everyone can use Bitcoin, even if they don't have the big amount early adopters have.

[kolloh]

I think we will need better security to prevent people from getting hacked before bitcoin is really for everyone ( including the non-computer literate ). As it is, it is mostly limited to those that are computer skilled.

[HCLivess]

What I think is extremely pleasurable is that bitcoin is not about this forum

[IIOII]

Is this a rhetorical question?

It should be, but this discussion shows it relevant to Bitcoin's future direction:

Permanently keeping the 1MB (anti-spam) restriction is a great idea ...

I think I see what you're aiming at. However one may still ask if a hard coded automatic max_blocksize increase is an elegant solution to the problem.

Bitcoin can be used by everyone, but not everyone will use it. After time has passed, a new wealthy elite will materialize among bitcoiners, because most people simply do not practice delay of gratification.

[ChuckBuck]

Right now, 99.9% of the world population are unable to use the Bitcoin, because they are not tech savvy enough. Storage of Bitcoin is risky, and prone to robbery and hacks. So, until this problem is solved, BTC is not for everyone.

I think in even in the poorest and underdeveloped of nations, Bitcoin solves several of these hurdles, regardless of technical prowess.

M Pesa proves this in Kenya and Tanzania, and they've been transacting with this since 2007 on regular text phones.  With the smartphones getting cheaper and cheaper, and repurposing the same towers they use in Africa, the transition to Bitcoin shouldn't that difficult:

https://www.bitpesa.co/

Bitpesa is the next natural progression.

[QuestionAuthority]

Control of resources and power always migrates to those with luck, intellect and ability. Everyone on the globe can use dollars but a few small groups of individuals control the system. Bitcoin will be no different. The control of Bitcoin already rests in the hands of a small select group of businessmen and devs even though individuals around the world are using it.

Yes, but that's just how money works, and Bitcoin was not designed to solve the money distribution problem. The point here is that everyone can use Bitcoin, even if they don't have the big amount early adopters have.

Warren Buffett amassed one of the largest fortunes in all of recorded human history because he had the luck, intellect and ability to do it. His power and control extends into the fiber of government and the economy. He doesn't keep anyone from using dollars privately. Everyone can use dollars but Buffett controls the direction of major sections of the economy.

Tony Gallippi is becoming a Bitcoin Buffett. He doesn't control Bitcoin but his power in controlling the direction of Bitcoin is clearly defined. Bitcoin wouldn't be where it is today without him. I'm not sure that's a bad thing.

Bitcoin just like dollars will always be for everyone. Some people will always have more of both dollars and bitcoin. With that, they will exert more control. I guess you could say Bitcoin is for both the new elite and everyone, not just one or the other.

[thejaytiesto]

Control of resources and power always migrates to those with luck, intellect and ability. Everyone on the globe can use dollars but a few small groups of individuals control the system. Bitcoin will be no different. The control of Bitcoin already rests in the hands of a small select group of businessmen and devs even though individuals around the world are using it.

Yes, but that's just how money works, and Bitcoin was not designed to solve the money distribution problem. The point here is that everyone can use Bitcoin, even if they don't have the big amount early adopters have.

Warren Buffett amassed one of the largest fortunes in all of recorded human history because he had the luck, intellect and ability to do it. His power and control extends into the fiber of government and the economy. He doesn't keep anyone from using dollars privately. Everyone can use dollars but Buffett controls the direction of major sections of the economy.

Tony Gallippi is becoming a Bitcoin Buffett. He doesn't control Bitcoin but his power in controlling the direction of Bitcoin is clearly defined. Bitcoin wouldn't be where it is today without him. I'm not sure that's a bad thing.

Bitcoin just like dollars will always be for everyone. Some people will always have more of both dollars and bitcoin. With that, they will exert more control. I guess you could say Bitcoin is for both the new elite and everyone, not just one or the other.

In what way Tony Gallippi is influencing Bitcoin's destiny? I dont get it.

[WhatTheGox]

Its for everyone as everyone benefits from cheaper transactions and control of their own money.  There would be a great deal of rich early adoptors, thats a different problem so first things first.

[QuestionAuthority]

Control of resources and power always migrates to those with luck, intellect and ability. Everyone on the globe can use dollars but a few small groups of individuals control the system. Bitcoin will be no different. The control of Bitcoin already rests in the hands of a small select group of businessmen and devs even though individuals around the world are using it.

Yes, but that's just how money works, and Bitcoin was not designed to solve the money distribution problem. The point here is that everyone can use Bitcoin, even if they don't have the big amount early adopters have.

Warren Buffett amassed one of the largest fortunes in all of recorded human history because he had the luck, intellect and ability to do it. His power and control extends into the fiber of government and the economy. He doesn't keep anyone from using dollars privately. Everyone can use dollars but Buffett controls the direction of major sections of the economy.

Tony Gallippi is becoming a Bitcoin Buffett. He doesn't control Bitcoin but his power in controlling the direction of Bitcoin is clearly defined. Bitcoin wouldn't be where it is today without him. I'm not sure that's a bad thing.

Bitcoin just like dollars will always be for everyone. Some people will always have more of both dollars and bitcoin. With that, they will exert more control. I guess you could say Bitcoin is for both the new elite and everyone, not just one or the other.

In what way Tony Gallippi is influencing Bitcoin's destiny? I dont get it.

From the beginning he brought in the largest companies and controls the dumping of masses of bitcoins on most of the major exchanges. He and his team can control the exchange rate by determining the flow of exchanged bitcoins. He has influence in the Bitcoin Foundation. If a development change threatened to cripple his network of business customers he would fight it and most likely win. Some of the only paid core devs work for BitPay. He's smart, talented and will always be a power player in Bitcoin.