The issue as I have now come to understand it is simply a doubling of the total amount. The percentage of each stake remains unchanged (I.e. 1MM NEM is now 2MM NEM).
The genesis of this change being the apparent Chinese superstition regarding the number "4".
The genesis of the change may have been an apparent Chinese superstition. But then some attempted rationale was put forth to increase its number regardless. Hence the figure of 8 Billion came about although a larger number is still something that can be pondered and weighed upon.
It was 4 billion that was picked out the air. After discussion by Nemsters on the Forum the number 8 billion came up for a variety of reasons and was decidedly liked by most over the original 4 B.
Do we want to cater for the Asians? Any Asian new to the movement would probably pick 8 billion rather than 4
Also I agree that when NEM becomes popular, do we want to talk about decimal points like BtC....I find it confusing when something is worth 0.00065 of a btc for example. Perhaps 80 billion would bring pricing amounts up to closer to what we are all familiar with.
What is the point for such a big change at this point? People who have bought their stakes in AE will get confused and the same effect go along with those who does not visit this topic regulary. Given the point that devaluation of NEM could seriously harm the price, IMO Just burn one NEM.
That is just a terrible choice from marketing- and economics perspective.