Why no just buy the Bitcoins instead of messing about mining them?
Ding ding ding, we have a winner! Based on the current rate of difficulty increase and cost of mining hardware, most folks will do better simply buying Bitcoin directly and holding it.
Mining is a fun hobby, but it's hard to find an ASIC hardware purchase right now that will ever ROI.
Where does the global need to mine Bitcoins come into the analysis? By need, I mean the idea that all Bitcoins should be mined so they are in circulation, so to speak. If everyone gives up mining now, does that mean Bitcoin "failed"? Or does it mean the value of Bitcoins goes up because of limited supply?
Just a few of the questions that bother us so...