[icebraining]

Sigh. Please give me a definition of 'scam' that fits with bitcoin and not e.g. Apple or Google shares.

Hint: In a scam, there's deceit. The bitcoin devs never deceived anyone. The whole system is transparent, so if there's anyone who bought without understanding the risks, they have no one to blame but themselves.

(Note: No, I don't own any bitcoins).

[shirro]

Perhaps I am just cynical. I did not mean to suggest the devs were scammers. But I still believe the ecosystem as a whole reeks of pyramids and other scams and I am sick of reading about it. I also think Scientology and MLM are scams but there are people who think they are not and we can't all agree. But then I also think casinos and lotteries are scams so I am kind of outside mainstream opinion on a few things I guess.

[icebraining]

I was probably too harsh, but frankly, just as you're sick of reading about it, I'm sick of every single thread on bitcoin having that inaccuracy. What can I say, I'm literal minded - the misuse of words annoys me.

But I still believe the ecosystem as a whole reeks of pyramids and other scams

Oh, sure, that's kind of inevitable, it's a result of the lack of constraints and oversight. But personally, it's a part of why I like reading about it - it still has that feeling of a "wild west", populated by pioneers and thieves. Kinda like the Internet as a whole a few decades ago. Of course, it also means I wouldn't trust it with my money.

I am sick of reading about it.

Sorry, but then... why not just skip the link? There are a few topics I'm kinda sick of too, but I just ignore them.

But then I also think casinos and lotteries are scams so I am kind of outside mainstream opinion on a few things I guess.

Again, my literal mind jumps when I read that ; ) I can completely understand that you consider them immoral and/or predatory, but there's no need to call them a scam particularly - FSM knows there are plenty of other immoral acts.