Quote from: Lauda on December 01, 2015, 10:01:28 PM

No emotions, you are mistaken and/or confused. I objectively pointed out the flaw in this thread; it has not presented us with anything what I'd call 'evidence' that would back up this theory. You would have to back up your claims that sidechains are the right answer and elaborate why we should focus on them and not on other potential solutions. Then, and only then, is it possible for this thread to enter a sate of (possibly) healthy discussion. Note: I have a good understanding of sidechains and have at least, at 1 point in this year, suggested them and/or discussed them around here.

Thanks, that's something that we can discuss:

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There are possibly better solutions for some of the 'problems' that you've listed.

-I see two problem with this argument.
a) The "there are possibly better solutions" is not an argument at all, because exactly the same can be said about any solutions of any problem in the world. Correct? This argument is faulty because it is impossible to prove non-existence of something. Non-existence of possible better solution, in particular. In a healthy discussion an objection to a suggested solution should be either: "I suggest another solution, it is better and that's why:". Or "Status quo is better than changes you are suggesting and that's why:". If you have such an argument, let's discuss it. It is quite possible that you are right and I am wrong, but you should demonstrate it. That's how healthy discussions go, in my understanding.

b) You put the word 'problems' in quotes. This indicates that you don't believe that they are problems. Why then you are talking about solutions if there are no problems in the first place? You've said I am confused. Now you can see why

So, could you indicate a bit more clearly which my statement you are arguing with? I'll repeat them here, in more detail:

1. Two years ago it was generally expected among bitcoin community that bitcoin will soon get new niche markets: remittance, internet trade, Wall-street etc. Do you agree?
2. This didn't happen. Do you agree?
3. Bitcoin usage is not growing, at least at such extend that it can be distinguished from speculative rallies/crashes. Here is the proof: https://blockchain.info/charts/estimated-transaction-volume-usd?showDataPoints=false×pan=all&show_header=true&daysAverageString=7&scale=1&address= (EDIT: I put the graph with comments in OP)
As you can see, for the period from Jan11 to Jan14, i.e. for 3 years it did grow steadily and had gained 4 orders of magnitude. But for the following 2 years, from jan14 till now, it have not gained not a single order of magnitude. We can clearly see 3-year "staircase" and then 2-year flat line. The only conclusion I can make is that bitcoin was gaining new and new markets, for 3 years, but 2 years ago it have practically stopped. Do you agree?
4. Bitcoin have not (yet) replaced fiat from mainstream market. Do you agree?
5. Same is true about niche market. Even drug trade (the most fitting niche market) is still mostly runs on fiat. Do you agree?
6. Bitcoin is not replacing fiat from mainstream market because it' benefits over fiat it not big enough to justify it for customer. Do you agree? (I hope you do, because it's almost an tautology

).
7. Bitcoin is not replacing fiat from niche markets by the same reason. Do you agree?
8. The way for bitcoin adoption goes through niche market. After conquering a niche market it strength grows and it makes easier to enter the next niche. Do you agree?
9. For each niche market there are some feature(s) of bitcoin that can be changed/added, to make it better fit and increase chances of it being adopted. (Scalability, speed, privacy, taxability etc). You may disagree with specific examples, but do you agree that such niches and features exist?
10. Do you agree that making bitcoin better fit for one niche, we can make it worse fit for some other niches?
11. Do you agree that in situation when we have an array of virtual currencies, each one tailored for its own niche market, with their total value fixed (I.e. that total value of all altcoins is never above 21M BTC and you'll never lose on exchanging from altcoin to bitcoin and back), chances of them getting mainstream adoption would be considerably higher than now?
12. Do you agree that sidechains offers such a solution?
13. Do you know any other solution that gives us the same results: array of niche-tailored non-competing currencies?