The first time I heard about bitcoin was from my husband. One day he came home from work very excited and he told me all about this magical Internet money. He didn’t impress me. I told him he seemed crazy and that was it, or so I thought. He brought it up again maybe a week or two later. But this time it made sense, I could understand more of what he was saying and I could see how passionate he had become about it. Don’t get me wrong, he still sounded like a lunatic (I think his eyes even twinkled) but he clearly read a bit and was able to communicate what he learned to me in a way I could understand. From there we were at it.
At first I did it for money. The earnings. I saw it as a way to increase wealth for our family. I learned what I could from my husband. But I didn’t know enough about bitcoin to ask many questions. The questions I had were so broad that I got a broad answer that didn’t really satisfy me or leave me with any more understanding. Which in turn made me feel like it was my problem. I was too afraid to try to learn about it because I thought it was too technical and advanced for me. I don’t have a degree or a fancy job, so I let it be its thing, I didn’t delve deeper. But he sure did. I would support him in everything he does, in every article he writes, in the podcasts he participates in, and in every conversation we have (which could go on) about bitcoin.
My support led him to invite me to accompany him to a bitcoin event. He was incredibly nervous, I thought every conversation would be way over my head. I thought he would just be there. But then I met the bitcoin community and I was amazed. It’s hard to even describe the feeling of being surrounded by these people. Whatever it is, it’s in the air and it’s contagious. Everyone is excited to see each other, everyone supports each other, everyone wants you to succeed, and they are incredibly kind. You can feel it. And it is impossible not to be affected by it. I immediately decided to learn everything I could about bitcoin.
As soon as we got home, I opened the notes app on my phone and started two lists. Things I know about bitcoin and questions I have about bitcoin. I leaned on the bitcoin community, joined the bitcoin Twitter(x) and asked for advice on where to start. I was again blown away by the support, people I don’t know personally giving me words of encouragement and lists of resources. I started reading bitcoin Evangelism (which I bought at the event after meeting the incredibly kind author) and was able to move almost all of my points from my questions about bitcoin listing to things I know about bitcoin listing. I was realizing how much more there is to bitcoin and my jaw dropped.
Now I can ask specific questions to get answers that leave me satisfied and excited. I have conversations with my husband and other Bitcoiners that remind me of their initial state of mania and now I wonder if my eyes also shine while talking about bitcoin.
I am realizing that it is not just about money but it is a revolution. I’m realizing how important it is to let people know that it’s not too technical or difficult for them to learn too, but that it is necessary. I realized that introducing a normal person to the community might be all it takes to give someone the Orange Pill. They are normal people who create a world in which we want to live. A fair monetary system that cannot be cheated or inflated like our current fiat system is. Good luck trying that with bitcoin. bitcoin is for everyone.
I’m at the beginning of my journey, but I realize how little effort it takes to show people the power of bitcoin if they can experience it. If you can experience the amazing and contagious community, you will surely develop laser eyes. I was a relatively passive participant for several years, but getting to know the community firsthand made me want to dive in.
I am still learning. But I think everyone is. bitcoin is the future because bitcoin just makes sense. Sometimes you just need to feel it.
This is a guest post by Lindsey Koss. The opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of btc Inc or bitcoin Magazine.
