frdysk
@frdysk
so normie friends asked again, wtf is crypto, how is value created out of thin air, i almost had a meltdown explaining, i realized idk how to articulate it as well as i'd like to think the questions asked are really basic: what is a token? what is a smart contract? what's the difference between bitcoin and ethereum smart contracts? why are there so many type of blockchains? do blockchains use the same type of tech? why do some institutions favor one over others? if we can create our own tokens, why is not everyone doing it? 🤪
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buffets
@buffets
A good starting point may be to direct the same question about value to fiat money, e.g. how is the value in the money we use created? I think people first need to internalise that the value of fiat money is also a socially-constructed phenomenon. Then get them to question whether there are other money-like things in life that derive their economic value from non-governmental sources. I think airline miles is one very relatable example. The key is to open up their minds to the fact that there are actually a lot of transactable money-like things already in our economy today, with different entities governing how these money-like things can be used. From here, I think it is easier to explain what crypto is, as an alternative money-like "thing", with its own unique properties and governing "entities" thanks to its underlying infrastructure, i.e. the usual things said about blockchains: decentralisation, permissionlessness, immutability, transparency...
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frdysk
@frdysk
agreed, i used examples like airline miles, pokemon cards, shopping points to make it easier for them to digest, however the moment we delve into different types of blockchains and then their L2s, that's where i lost them
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