Quote from: AltcoinAuthority on March 04, 2014, 10:05:08 PM

read this editorial here: http://altcoinauthority.com/2014/03/the-critical-importance-of-cryptocurrencies/

Please contribute to this discussion, we're all in this together.

Everyone should read the article in the OP, because it's brilliant and right on point.

Quoting for the community's benefit:

"Money and its associated systems of commerce are the most influential and pervasive man-made influences on the human race today. As the paradigm we use to associate value with something and transfer that value amongst us, currency informs us in many ways both obvious and subtle. Currencies drive societies and are responsible for enabling mankind to transact in such a way that we can all function together.

Noble, you would say, and in its purest form, few things are nobler. However, there has been a fundamental flaw in our systems of commerce since inception the privileged few exercising control over the most basic needs of the rest of us. We all know that this doesnt work, but why is that so? The unfortunate truth of the matter is that it is a rare person indeed who can and will subordinate themselves to the public good. After all, what kind of person is involved in this pursuit of power in the first place? The people who run our governments and monetary system are at the beck and call of special-interest groups and power-brokers who have their own agenda. The common person is powerless to do anything but accept what they are given. The result of this kind of system range from deficit financing to outright fraud and theft to human oppression. What are we to do? How can we hope to give everyone a fair playing field in life and still run our society? Hopelessuntil today.

Cyptocurrencies are a brilliant answer to an age old problem that of the Byzantine Generals. The Byzantine Generals is a problem in Mathematics and Computer Science that has seemed unsolvable for many, many years. In plain English, it asks us if it is possible to create a decentralized network that can achieve consensus. Until the Satoshi Nakamoto (a psedudonym) paper which essentially defined Bitcoin, most theoreticians thought that it was impossible. Well, it isnt that is exactly how Bitcoin works. I wont delve into Bitcoin mechanics here (a separate post is required), but one of the most earth-shattering effects of cryptocurrencies is the fact that they require no central authority. No central bank, no Federal Reserve, no group of people controlling the money supply and all of the negative implications of that model. Just as the internet has empowered people through free speech and the ability to provide a testament of what occurs in our society, cryptocurrencies are threatening to level the playing field. No longer will society be at the mercy of their government and doomed to a sub-standard quality of life simply because of anothers greed and lust for power we will finally be able to control our own financial destiny to a degree never seen before. Fiat currencies, and all of the corruption they entail, are on their way to becoming a thing of the past.

However, before I close, a warning of sorts. Nothing worthwhile is ever free especially freedom. We will not get to the point where cryptocurrencies fulfill their potential if we do not do our part. First of all, keep in mind that people do not give up power without a fight. The governments and other power-brokers in this world have been sitting pretty for many, many years now and will do their best to maintain the status quo. Expect a lot of propaganda and associated incidents that are manufactured to make cryptocurrencies look unreliable. Be aware that these people and institutions have immense resources and will, at the very least, make a play for control of important currencies. There is a great deal at stake here. How can you help? I can see three important ways everyone can participate. First of all, speak up! Use the net to voice your opinion and support cryptocurrencies. Be aware of coming attempts to discredit this technology and do your best to expose them for what they are. Secondly, use cryptocurrencies. Simple. There are many ways to get your hands on cryptocurrencies (we give lots away on this blog look here!). Get some and use them. We would be happy to help, so if you have any questions, go to one of our forums and ask away. General questions is a good place to start. Finally, educate yourself and spread the word. Talk to your friends and co-workers. Take the time to sit down with your children and explain what a monumentally important concept this currency is. Encourage discussion.

This is an extremely exciting time to be alive, to see the way we live as people change so very much in such a short period of time. So lets take this chance weve been given and make our society a better place for everyone."