So yes, your conversation with your friend is the state of things today. But that's just temporary technological hurdles.
Three years Steem has been around. This is still a problem:
Friend - “What the fuck Paula…. you must have nothing to do with your life…. that’s way too much hassle.”
Last year I bought some Steem Monster Card with a credit card, about $100 in value, I was interested in the game as it was new and seemed like a fun thing, but the primary reason I bought the cards, and the only reason I bought them was because I could get some steem with them. A simple purchase method.
So the technological hurdle is not really an issue. Right now I believe it is more of a Political Issue, especially in the United States. there are countries you can put your credit card in and buy crypto coins, America is behind the power curve and until that changes we will not see much growth from the American sector. Look at the new user tab, look at what countries they are signing up from, look at how many Americans are on the newuser tag. Think about how their countries view crypto coins.
I suppose the technological hurdle, could be because Americans are just stupid compared to place that many consider to be third world countries. Make it simple to buy, and people buy, that is the lesson that Steem (the company) needs to learn. Until that happens:
Friend - “What the fuck Paula…. you must have nothing to do with your life…. that’s way too much hassle.”
Is a Fact, at least for me.
Maybe I'm old. 3 years of STEEM doesn't seem like a long time to me. 10 years of BTC doesn't seem like a long time either.
The fact that you could buy SteemMonsters cards with a credit card and operate on the steem blockchain is exactly what I'm talking about. New users are coming into SplinterLands now that have no idea about anything on steem. Which is great!