VIII. Xenophobia
This one concerns me the most, as I think it could have far-reaching implications. Most people who read about Bitcoin and come here have read almost ubiquitously negative press discussing drugs, Ponzi schemes, and ever-imminent collapse. They decided to take a chance and investigate for themselves. What do they find? A community which refuses to do business with anyone relatively new. A community filled with animosity. Half the forums polluted with allegations of Ponzi schemes. In other words, they find exactly what the media told them to expect. Their conclusion? The media is right. Do we really want to embody what the media portrays us as?
This one concerns me the most, as I think it could have far-reaching implications. Most people who read about Bitcoin and come here have read almost ubiquitously negative press discussing drugs, Ponzi schemes, and ever-imminent collapse. They decided to take a chance and investigate for themselves. What do they find? A community which refuses to do business with anyone relatively new. A community filled with animosity. Half the forums polluted with allegations of Ponzi schemes. In other words, they find exactly what the media told them to expect. Their conclusion? The media is right. Do we really want to embody what the media portrays us as?
Of course, the large proportion of Bitcoin businesses that are actually Ponzi schemes - and the perhaps even larger proportion that are indistinguishable from Ponzis - would never cause anyone to conclude that the media is right.
(Not to mention all the various self-described ponzis of varying degrees of honesty.)I also notice that all the people who have been screaming "troll!", "liar!", "put your money where your mouth is or shut up", etc at anyone who points out just how shady all the investment schemes on here are somehow don't feature in your plea for civility. Funny that.
The vast majority of that would fall under III, but if you think I should add an additional section, I'm all ears. I entirely agree that Bitcoin investments are shady, and many are Ponzi schemes. There is, however, a distinct difference between logical assertions made once and endlessly repeated 'PONZI! SCAMMER! DON'T INVEST' posts and threads. The latter I object to, as I fail to see what they contribute to the community. If you think otherwise, however, I would love to hear your reasoning.