Another great piece Gordon!
Certainly, it is possible to engage in challenging discussions, but those debates are generally considered inappropriate at broader social gatherings.
This is why I don't talk very much at meet-ups because BTC and the deeper issues are probably best addressed in a "class-room" style format i.e. teaching and educating. Social meets are best for light hearted topics that don't require too much thinking and trying to convince others at such a time is going to make sure you'll never be invited to a social event ever again haha!
Unless of course that gathering is for a specific purpose about a specific topic e.g. BTC meetups/conferences but these are usually precipitated by some presentation of some kind in the first place.
People I've spoken to about BTC who don't understand it seem to think that it's some dark art when actually, it couldn't be further from the truth. They seem to be under the impression that because it's all digital, it must have no value. My counter is, well, don't you do online banking? That's all online and digital.
I think it does come down to people's general relationship with money and how they view it.
Thanks very much Nicky. True - most people only vaguely consider the money they use and how they use it -Bitcoin seems disreputable to them in some vague way.Yeah, gotta keep BTC it on the down low at social event if you want to be attend more than one!
I was speaking to a friend yesterday about BTC and they did say that they don't want to buy BTC as they feel they have "missed the boat" but I don't think they should be put off just because they can't buy one outright, you just have to chip away at it.
Of course, if you're feeling a bit of a gamble then there are plenty of alt coins to choose from but started talking about Hive and seemed pretty keen so will help him get set up here.