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by arnarbi 3711 days ago
> you could never move money over the wire anonymously before crypto came in. Well, except if you had a fake identity, which is illegal. Now you can.

As obvious as it may seem that is a positive thing, keep in mind that a lot of people will not think so. Even more people can just don't appreciate it and could be convinced either way. If everyone thought anonymity was so good, fake identities wouldn't be illegal.
1 comments
xkarga00 3711 days ago
Anonymity is good not per se but because it implies privacy. Let's not argue if privacy is a good thing or not. Anonymity also supersedes fake identities.
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arnarbi 3711 days ago
Sorry, my intention was not to discuss merits of anonymity or privacy. I do agree those are good.

My point was that in discussing things like cryptocurrency (and other technical matters), many of its advocates go to arguments like yours with the silent assumption that certain aspects are obvious benefits. You forget that that's an opinion, and any argument based on it misses it mark with someone who doesn't share that opinion (or hasn't formed one). I think that's part of the reason "the oxygen in the room has been depleted".

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