When Money Talks: The Art of Listening in the Bitcoin Age - #304

TL;DR - Learning the value of patience, responsibility, and timing in sharing Bitcoin knowledge and know-how.

Reader,

I've had the pleasure of writing and sharing what I know with you. Outside of the newsletter, I'd been an advocate for Bitcoin as well. For me, Bitcoin (and bitcoin), were life changing events, in fact, being in the economy saved my life.

Having first hand experience of how empowering bitcoin is, I shared with everyone.

My family, friends, business associates and partners; who ever had a ear, I would talk it off.

Bitcoin, as you may know, is money that you, and you alone, own. It's not the property of the bank, it's not controlled by government, and it's not IOU digits on screen. Money and currency converge into true digital ownership. That's a first in human history.

Zeal to Spread the Word

Many bitcoin enthusiasts share a similar desire to evangelize. Not everyone had the same experience as me, but they see the need for bitcoin. Some are here for the "Number Go Up" (NgU). Some are here for personal freedom. Some are here because it's interesting. Whatever the case may be, there are a lot of passionate people here.

Sometimes that passion, as seen by the non-enthusiast, viewed with skeptical eyes. Let's be honest, the way some of us talk about bitcoin, you'd think we're preaching a new religion.

"What are they trying to sell me?"

"What's the angle?"

"What's in it for them?"

"What if this doesn't work?"

"How does it work?"

The skeptics questions underscore the complexity and misconception surrounding bitcoin. And with there being many different "sects" of the bitcoin community, who could blame them.

The Weight of Influence

Sharing your idealism for bitcoin is one thing. Taking responsibility is another. It's easy to share our enthusiasm and insist people "buy bitcoin." But what happens when it all goes wrong? What happens when they lose their keys? Or send bitcoin to the wrong address? Or their favorite wallet gets compromised?

Bitcoiners want adoption, but rarely do they accept responsibility for it.

You brought the horse to the water, but you never asked it the horse was thirsty.

Recognizing Readiness

"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear."

In my time of spreading the bitcoin "gospel," the saying is more true to me now than before.

If the individual has no need for bitcoin, then nothing will convince them otherwise. All the podcasts, lectures and memes will have little sway over their worldview. "Study bitcoin" is the peak notion that people are not willing or wanting to have bitcoin in their lives.

Even with high inflation and erosion of their currency, they hold to what they know. When they see and feel the need for bitcoin, they'll come seeking guidance.

My own personal revelation

I'm a quick learner. It's a blessing on one side because my curiosity drives me. It's a curse on the other because I'm often the odd man out. The contrarian. Dinner parties and outings are few and far between for me.

I've been insistent for others to get involved when they weren't ready. When things turned south, some of them became frustrated. Others furious. They blamed me.

A friend lost their keys and all their bitcoin, I felt terrible. I'd be the one to get them into it. It was my responsibility to get them out.

The importance of patience

After some time, I stopped preaching.

I keep the enthusiasm and teaching to this newsletter and meetup groups. If someone asks, I respond. "When the student is ready..."

The teacher needs to be ready too.

The willingness to learn

Again, many people are not ready for a tool like bitcoin. Some never will. But those who are ready, who do seek, will find.

All you need to do is be accessible and supportive when they do.

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