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0 pointsrthomas612y ago0 comments

>How many of those have no access to a computer of any sort, including a mobile phone?

Irrelevant to your point, but less than you might think. Currency transfer using texting is popular and highly functional in several poor African countries. I agree with your assessment that these people won't be affected by Bitcoin, but using mobile phones to send money is actually VERY common in some poor countries.

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astrodust12y ago· 2 in thread

Yes, mobile phones are big in Africa, this I understand, but you're admitting you need a mobile phone to do this. Many people do not have one and aren't likely to get one soon for a host of reasons.

There are people that will never have the chance to own a mobile phone. They have other priorities, like fresh water, AIDS or malaria medication, or a reliable source of food.

pmelendez12y ago

"They have other priorities, like fresh water, AIDS or malaria medication, or a reliable source of food."

I am from a country with ~50% inflation and +30% of poverty (under the government scale, it is arguable to be way higher) and I can tell you that in that context you are overestimating people's priorities.

I have seen people with a minimum wage salary and without anything to eat but having smartphones and/or having cosmetic surgeries.

astrodust12y ago

That's the paradox of places like Africa. You have massive amounts of intense poverty, but technology still trickles down.

I'm still skeptical a currency created by crytoanarchists and supported by people with money to burn on ASIC hardware will have a meaningful impact on those with virtually nothing. If I'm wrong, so much the better.

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