– Is this just a pyramid scheme?
– It’s so volatile, how does it even work?
– Does it even have any real world use?
– Isn’t it for criminals?

Etc..

But after a few weeks of doubt and resistance, I started asking the deeper questions, the kind most people here have probably wondered at some point.

– What actually is money?
– How does the current global financial system really work?
– Why does it feel like my money buys less every year?
– How do I protect what I earn from inflation?

Eventually, the penny dropped, and I got to the bottom of the well: I could no longer ignore that the purchasing power of the dollar was eroding fast. Saving in dollars is like trying to fill a leaky bucket. The only logical response is to invest in assets. And when you compare asset classes like property, stocks, and gold, despite its volatility and imperfections, Bitcoin stands out as the clear winner: its the strongest, the most scarce, and the most independent asset we have.

Fast forward to now and I feel like I should be sharing what I’ve learned, encouraging others to ask the same questions I did and hopefully realise this isn’t going anywhere.

But every time I bring it up, I get hit with the same kind of questions and skepticism I had at first. The problem is, most people don’t take the next step. They brush it off without actually understanding what they’re dismissing. When you look closer, their opinions are usually based on a handful of headlines or some outdated assumptions. They’ve made up their minds and haven’t stopped to question if that belief still holds up.

Now I try to stay grounded when confronted with these views. I mean, I’m not pretending to be someone who’s financially savvy or really understands macro economics. But I’ve thought hard about this, I’ve read articles and listened to ALOT of podcasts. And so when listening to these critics, I try to understand where they’re coming from. I try to let go of my need for confirmation bias, and to listen to the opposing view. But upon asking deeper questions, these views are usually not considered.

Even some friends I’ve talked to who are extremely well off and very knowledgeable investors have completely dismissed the idea as a “scam” that’s “too good to be true”.

Honestly, I think we’re watching a weird social phenomenon unfold, a mix of cognitive dissonance, a lack of critical reasoning and a social conformity to not wanting to be the first ones out on the limb. People don’t want to face the idea that their view of bitcoin might be a little outdated. Once they get a belief confirmed by one source or two sources, it becomes set in stone. Even when you offer clear, rationale evidence and answers to their questions, they laugh it off, or ignore it, or label it a scam without even questioning their reasoning. They don’t question their assumptions, or even how the current system works, or why eggs now cost $8 to $10 when just a few years ago they were half that.

I’m mostly just venting to a community that probably gets the pain of trying to talk about Bitcoin with the people around them. The sad part is, even when people are handed a ticket to the moon, most will come up with a hundred reasons not to take it. They’ll stay on the launchpad, arms crossed, watching the rockets leave. And by the time they finally want a seat, those tickets will be rare… and priced accordingly.

I know I should probably just leave people to figure it out for themselves, but after having someone else who insisted I understand how bitcoin works and why it’s important, I feel somewhat obligated to spread the message.

I’m sure most of you have encountered similar experiences. Any tips for orange pilling people? Or is a lost cause, and just a case of the ones who get it get it, and the ones who don’t don’t.

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