Because Bitcoin has tremendous value, it's OK to underpromise and overdeliver. It always turns out better that way, in the long run.
If you lie, you only need one prominent journalist to say "I tried it, and it's crap, it doesn't do what they say it does", and the public loses interest.
If you lie, you only need one prominent journalist to say "I tried it, and it's crap, it doesn't do what they say it does", and the public loses interest.
Well said!
Trust is Bitcoin's biggest barrier to success. I don't think there is anything we can do to speed up the process of getting people to trust that bitcoin is solid; it takes time to build trust. However, there is plenty we could do to lose that trust, including overpromising or misrepresenting what bitcoin can do.
Bitcoin is beta software; nobody should trust it 100%. Do not invest your life savings in bitcoin-- in fact, do not invest any money you're not willing to lose. Expect more ponzi schemes and fraud. Expect irrational valuation bubbles, and, while the bitcoin economy is small, expect people to try to manipulate the bitcoin markets.