How many of those have no access to a computer of any sort, including a mobile phone?
Irrelevant to your point, but less than you might think. Currency transfer using texting is popular and highly functional in several poor African countries. I agree with your assessment that these people won't be affected by Bitcoin, but using mobile phones to send money is actually VERY common in some poor countries.
Yes, mobile phones are big in Africa, this I understand, but you're admitting you need a mobile phone to do this. Many people do not have one and aren't likely to get one soon for a host of reasons.
There are people that will never have the chance to own a mobile phone. They have other priorities, like fresh water, AIDS or malaria medication, or a reliable source of food.
"They have other priorities, like fresh water, AIDS or malaria medication, or a reliable source of food."
I am from a country with ~50% inflation and +30% of poverty (under the government scale, it is arguable to be way higher) and I can tell you that in that context you are overestimating people's priorities.
I have seen people with a minimum wage salary and without anything to eat but having smartphones and/or having cosmetic surgeries.
That's the paradox of places like Africa. You have massive amounts of intense poverty, but technology still trickles down.
I'm still skeptical a currency created by crytoanarchists and supported by people with money to burn on ASIC hardware will have a meaningful impact on those with virtually nothing. If I'm wrong, so much the better.
Comments
Irrelevant to your point, but less than you might think. Currency transfer using texting is popular and highly functional in several poor African countries. I agree with your assessment that these people won't be affected by Bitcoin, but using mobile phones to send money is actually VERY common in some poor countries.
Yes, mobile phones are big in Africa, this I understand, but you're admitting you need a mobile phone to do this. Many people do not have one and aren't likely to get one soon for a host of reasons.
There are people that will never have the chance to own a mobile phone. They have other priorities, like fresh water, AIDS or malaria medication, or a reliable source of food.
"They have other priorities, like fresh water, AIDS or malaria medication, or a reliable source of food."
I am from a country with ~50% inflation and +30% of poverty (under the government scale, it is arguable to be way higher) and I can tell you that in that context you are overestimating people's priorities.
I have seen people with a minimum wage salary and without anything to eat but having smartphones and/or having cosmetic surgeries.
That's the paradox of places like Africa. You have massive amounts of intense poverty, but technology still trickles down.
I'm still skeptical a currency created by crytoanarchists and supported by people with money to burn on ASIC hardware will have a meaningful impact on those with virtually nothing. If I'm wrong, so much the better.