Quote from: Roger_Murdock on July 10, 2012, 05:25:04 PM

Money, like religion, is one of those subjects that makes many people uncomfortable because it can trigger some very deep-seated anxieties. I've seen the visceral reaction to Bitcoin you're referring to and my theory is that it's a fear response. They're afraid to invest because they're afraid of losing their money and even worse, feeling like suckers for taking a bath on "fake digital money." But they're also afraid not to invest and missing out on an absolutely huge opportunity. If the first fear wins out, cognitive dissonance makes it important to convince themselves they've made the right decision - to keep the second fear at bay. That cognitive dissonance can make them react in what seems like a weirdly-hostile manner to pro-Bitcoin arguments.

That's pretty much the end of this thread.

My corollary to RM's insight: If the second fear wins out, cognitive dissonance makes it important to convince ourselves that we've made the right decision. That cognitive dissonance can make us react in what seems like a weirdly-cult like manner to anti-Bitcoin arguments. Tongue

Conclusion: don't buy into Bitcoins because you're scared that you might miss out. Do it because the idea is revolutionary!