Quote from: TeaL on January 02, 2012, 10:56:48 PM

It should come as no surprise to any bitcoin user that there is alot of stigma out there about bitcoin and the people that use it. I recently ran into some of this first hand.

I participate in a multitude of different forums, and today decided to try and get some users interested in bitcoin. I created a new thread and advertised that I would send anyone who adopted the currency (just downloading the client) a free 0.01 BTC. I provided all proper links to documentation, and quotations to explain what bitcoin is. My post was met with dismissal and accusations of advertising a scam. A moderator even posted that "This is little to no different than a chain letter or pyramid scheme. Those get permanent bans. Are you SURE that you want to advertise it?". His non-obligatory posted warning was generous, and I commend him for doing so (tho I couldn't make use of it because I left to check the temperatures of my rig after posting the thread).

I have been a member of said forum for over 4 years, and I was given a permanent ban. It took 6 volleys back and forth between the moderator and I in private messages to have the ban reduced.

My point, look at the stigma bitcoin has, "This is little to no different than a chain letter or pyramid scheme". The name has been poisoned, this will have to improve before it can possibly meet mainstream adoption.

First and foremost, think of Bitcoin as you would any other currency. Why do you care if anyone uses it? If I knocked on your door and tried to convince you to use World of warcraft gold, wouldn't you tell me to stop spamming? Doesn't offering people money to use it scream SCAM SCAM SCAM?

Also, stop spamming and making us look bad. Start discussions about it, then let people choose based off of information. So many coolaid drinkers here are under the delusion that if they can just get people to start using it, they will fall in love with it and change the world! Why do they want people to use it though? Because then their bitcoins will be worth more. Sounds like a scheme to me too!

When I get emails telling me I should buy a stock because it's going to go up, I think it's a worthless stock. The reason is because if it was so important, I would have known about it and the world would have seen it rise themselves. We need bitcoin to be used, but not by a bunch of random 'numbers'. We need people who want to use it for the rest of their life. Lead by example, not with your mouth.