[TheSpiceIsLife]

> core protocol changes subjected to the scrutiny of the broader political process, which would be a total nightmare and may permanently stop development of the protocol.

It could be argued this would be a good thing.

As it stands, if someone nabs your crypto you have no means of recourse, this is a bad thing.

[tobltobs]

How do you want to solve this problem without giving up decentralization?

[TheSpiceIsLife]

I don't.

I'm pro-centralisation in the sense that it comes with regulatory protections that are a net good for the average person, in my opinion.

If decentralisation comes with the risks that cryptocurrencies presently present, I'm not really interested.

[clarkmoody]

The most important aspect of cryptocurrency is censorship-resistance, accomplished through decentralization.

Reading your comment, I don't know why you would be interested in cryptocurrency at all.

[vkou]

The answer is that you can't, but that's not an answer liked by the people who:

1. Are optimistic about bitcoin.

2. Want to see it be useful for something besides speculation.

[SilasX]

You have the same recourse that you would if someone took your physical cash, which Bitcoin seeks to mimic properties of. Do you make the same arguments against physical cash, or is there some other substantive difference, are you singling out Bitcoin?

[JumpCrisscross]

> You have the same recourse that you would if someone took your physical cash

People don't speculate in physical cash. Also, cash being physical constrains the speed at which it can move. It also makes things like cameras useful.

[SilasX]

I don't see the relevance of those points to the distinctions being made on this thread?

[JumpCrisscross]

The amount of time the average person holds cash is small. It is held for transactional purposes. Investments, on the other hand, are held for long periods and not necessarily closely watched. (Most people also have more in investments than petty cash.) TL; DR The risks associated with cash are acceptable for a transactional medium; less so for an investment (hence the decline of bearer bonds in common use).

[s73v3r_]

Someone taking my physical cash means they have to actually come to me, or come to my home which has security cameras.

[TheSpiceIsLife]

Or your business, which would probably (should?) have insurance against cash theft; time-delay safes; and professional cash transport services.