My brother first started talking to me about bitcoin in 2012. I had no idea what he was going on about. Decentralize, blocks, something about a meme pool. Sounded stupid to be honest. My brother hates the banking system with a passion, hell, I cant blame him! I just thought this was some new anti bank thing he was going on about and didn't pay much attention.
But every time I'd see him he would tell me "Bro, get into bitcoin. Get into cryptocurrency"
I am generally quite a cynical guy and every time I would brush him off.
"yes yes, I will buy some bitcoin, yes yes whatever"
I never did. I thought it was all rubbish. The reason I thought it was all rubbish is because I didn't understand it. I still don't completely understand it. I actually still haven't met a person who can convincingly explain the entire system to me.
Then I met another guy who was into cryptocurrency. This time I could actually see the result of his trading and his investments. Shit... There is some serious money to be made here. There is some serious potential.
I started paying just a smidgen more attention. I actually watched a "what is bitcoin" youtube video, and even managed to watch the entire thing.
I started understanding a bit more. I watched more youtube videos. I started reading about it more. I paid attention when I saw it in the news. The concept started to click.
I started understanding our current system. I started to realise that I could actually be financially responsible. Not rich (that would be nice) but that I could start taking responsibility for my own finances. I could own it. I wouldn't have to rely on the banking system, to rely on some archaic broken system.
Now I am hooked. Hook. Line. Sinker. Pole. All of it.
Crazy how little effort it takes to awaken to a world of possibility. I am a believer now. I truly believe that cryptocurrencies, that the blockchain technology is the future.
Now I preach, I ask my employers "please pay me in BTC" I respond to all advertisers, to all telemarketers "May I pay in BTC please?" I try convince the people I know, the people I work with, everyone to jump aboard the crypto-train.
Yes, I do it for selfish reason. I want people to buy into it because I want to make it successful so that I can profit from the success. However that isn't the main reason. I want to tell people because I suppose that just like you reading this, you and I, we see the potential. This could be true financial freedom.
The funny thing though, it wasn't my brother talking about decentralized technology, or the concept of financial freedom that got me. It was just my greed. Simple greed that made me open my eyes. I saw someone make lots of money and I had serious FOMO. I can invest now and get massive returns! Whoop! Sign me up! I have to get on this train as in yesterday! Lets go!!
I still think this is the best way to get people interested. Most people don't care about how our current banking system is broken and corrupt. Most people care about one thing only, and that is the side of the financial freedom coin. To be rich.
Does it matter? I don't believe so. I believe that once you start down the crypto path that "eye opening" moment is not far behind. It is impossible not to see the benefits. The illusion of the current way is starting to crack. Soon it will shatter. No matter how you see it, the future is here. Either get on board or move out the way!
Greed will lead to mass adoption. Mass adoption will lead to the future...