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0 sats \ 1 reply \ @028559d218 OP 30 Jun \ parent \ on: My friends think Bitcoin is a joke. There's nowhere to spend it or Lightning. bitcoin
How do I tip the Uber driver Lightning, unless I ask him/her if they have a Lightning App? In which case when they say "no what's that" I just say "nevermind..."
But if it's a friend or colleague I may explain what Lightning is. Then some sort of conversation ensues.
I don't push things. I don't 'orange pill'. But if Bitcoin is designed to be used... then the idea is to use it. And how do I know when/where to use it unless I ask???
Fair enough, but I never tip anyway, so this specific scenario does not arise.
Friend or colleague? While doing peer-to-peer transfer, I have asked for BTC address (not lightning, and if they don't know BTC, as in on chain, there is not a chance in hell they will know lightning), and in almost all cases the answer has been negative. Most don't show any interest to begin with, some just say it's a scam. So I just let it slide, and kinda gave up. Now a days, I just stay humble and stack my sats, instead of trying to be a Bitcoin-bro.
But if Bitcoin is designed to be used... then the idea is to use it
Use for saving. For spending, you can still do it at sites like Travala, which I have done occasionally. But I am surprised BTC adoption is that low in America as BTC map shows a good number of retailers taking it, at least much more than here in Singapore.
Also, about spending BTC, it seems sites (like Travala, BitcoinTravel etc.) charge horrendous amounts, sometimes even > 10% more than what I would pay at a competing fiat travel agent to book the same flight/hotel.
I have a feeling that since retailer BTC adoption is abysmally low, these sites know some BTC rebels will happily pay a premium to make a statement, as part of the revolution. Me personally? I love BTC as a tool for freedom go up and numbers go up, but not passionate enough for the cause to pay a premium to use it.
I will wait until there is more competition among retailers for my BTC, so that premiums turn into discounts.
Also, let me take the opportunity to recommend one of my favourite write-ups on BTC. Written about eight years back, the author proved to be prodigally prescient. If you read, you will see how some assets become money, and they go through (roughly) the phases like
Collectives->Store of Value->Medium of Exchange->Unit of account
Bitcoin is still maturing as a store-of-value, so the next steps will come with time. Be glad because it shows you are still early. Not as early as the guy who could mine 20,000 coins in with a GPU at home and spent them for a pizza, but still early.
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