Post
Topic
Board Trading Discussion
Re: Why is UK so slow to jump on this?
by
bitbadger
on 10/04/2013, 19:28:34 UTC

 Spokes people for Bitcoin and its image in the UK
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/video/2013/mar/22/bitcoin-currency-video
People like Amir Taaki. As much as I appreciated him when Britcoin was going fine, I don’t think Amir is a suitable public character for Bitcoin in the UK. Videos like the one above mean when people think of Bitcoin, they think of people like Amir.

 Imagine if your bank came out with a promo, and spokesperson lived in a squat, wears a beanie, speaks with AQI, say things like “I had loads of Bitcoin, but I sold them for $100 and I was like ‘woooo!’  then it went up to $30 and I was like ‘fuck they’d be be worth like half a million dollars – but whatever, but it’s not about the money...” and “stopping people taking drugs is like stopping people having sex”  and “I feel responsibility because I have this skill that not many other people have.” Whilst I agree with the sentiment of most of what he’s saying, and his style of dress and presentation is not too dissimilar to my own, I don’t think he presents the right image for larger adoption in the UK. Having Amir do high profile videos in UK news relating to Bitcoin I think is generating an image which is not an image 75%+ of the UK like, agree with or are willing to follow or subscribe to. (Just to clarify, I have no problem with how Amir chooses to live or present himself – I even have some respect for him in some way – I just don’t think it’s the image to help Bitcoin in the UK.)

Thanks,
Dom.
LOL.  Brilliant post!

I agree also that Amir isn't giving Bitcoin a good run for its money in the public's eye with the way he looks.

Fact is that like it or not, people judge by superficial appearances.  For the average person, they can get the impression that Bitcoin is run from a squat in East London, by dropouts for dropouts.

Im not saying he should wear a suit and tie, just not to look so way out for the cameras, as it freaks out the average joe q. public.

Especially when the subject matter is about money, which involves matters of confidence, reliability, security and so on.