>I don't need to use bitcoin.
>Did you need to use the Internet in 1993?<p>I think this is actually the most interesting point. The truth is that, no, you don't actually need to use bitcoin right now. And that's different than not needing to use the internet in 1993. Right now, there are plenty of substitute goods - more stable, more accessible currency that is used by more people. In 1993 there weren't that many substitute products for the internet.<p>Said another way: I wanted to do something like send a text string to another person in 1993, the internet was my only option. But if I want to do something like purchase an item right now: there are tons of other ways of doing it.<p>So, In order to convince me that I need to use bitcoin, the benefits of using it need to outweigh the costs, risks and hassle of converting my money.<p>From a ideological perspective, I think this really appeals to the HN community (including me). But from a practical standpoint, I can't see this catching on with enough average consumers to really become a stable currency.