*image source: http://www.scam-busters.co.uk
The top emotional conflict, I am trying to "find my position" on is: Does one owe it to society to protect others from a scam or other problems?
Ultimately if one gets scammed it is that person who pays. As as a fairly new arrival on the Crypto scene, I really appreciate those of you with more experience at evaluating what I will choose to call "High Risk Investments". I want to hear your opinion, and I will weigh it heavily based on your other behavior and how much I respect your point of view. My personal view is that I don't want you to make that decision for me. If I ruled the world, and I am glad I don't. I would ask you to voice your concerns without making it difficult for me to see the "opportunity" or the "risk". (down voting it into the gray".) I would like to take what you "know" and apply it to what I "know" and evaluate from there.
This view has been challenged with "The Game" post yesterday and the resulting backlash from the community. Part of me enjoyed watching the community say, "no we don't accept this", while part of me winced as the emotion level raised and the "The Game" was voted off the blockchain. He left all too quickly, reaffirming he didn't have much to present on his own behalf.
I flash back months ago, when certain people I like and respect lashed out TDV, he was tried and convicted (in the eyes of some) on evidence of a few. I would have preferred if the evidence had been given without an assumption of guilt. (again looking for a happy medium)
Regardless of what the community does with this issue, there are some things to remember in crypto. A lot of the safety mechanisms built into society are not here. I hear the phrase "This is the wild west" often. I think that is what draws me here. I am free to be smart or stupid and I have a strong desire to fight for my "Freedom" even to make the wrong decision. However, I also understand that puts the risk on me.
Here are some thoughts presented as advice. You are free to take it or leave it:
- Do not sign up for just anything that people mention without understanding who and what you are providing your info to. Especially if it includes your keys/passwords, personal information. etc.
- Accept the ideal of "Buyer Beware", you may not have any recourse on the blockchain if you are taken advantage of or scammed. (link provided at the end of the post)
- You are responsible to keep yourself safe, financially and literally. Consider we have a "Wild West, climate, which will naturally bring together inexperience and scammers. Consider what you post, and how you keep your passwords, keys and personal privacy.
- Do not invest more than you can afford to lose. That means if you invest your life savings, do it knowing, you have invested your life savings into a risky investment. That is your right, but it is not my responsibility.
- Depending on your technical literacy some actions which seem innocent, can give others clues to who and where you are, your financial means and more information. Consider you don't even know what you don't know, and there might be security or judgment issues you are unaware of.
- Do not invest more than you can afford to lose. (yes, that is a repeat)
- When I was young, I bought many little "Real-estate to Riches" type products. I am not sorry. I learned. Don't deny others the opportunity to learn their own lessons.
Concept of Buyer Beware:
http://consumer.findlaw.com/consumer-transactions/what-does-caveat-emptor-mean-.html
Please feel free to argue, add to the list, or insert your relevant thoughts below.