• Linus Torvalds, creator of Linux, does not believe in cryptocurrencies, calling them a vehicle for scams and a Ponzi scheme.
  • Torvalds was once rumored to be Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto, but he clarified it was a joke and denied owning a Bitcoin fortune.
  • Torvalds also dismissed the idea of technological singularity as a bedtime story for children, saying continuous exponential growth does not make sense.
  • ulterno@lemmy.kde.social
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    6 months ago

    I actually considered a non-governmental, community regulated currency as a pretty good idea.

    Problem is, crypto is too ecologically expensive and wasteful to fit the bill.

    While there were some interesting ones, that actually used the processing power for something useful, most are not. So for now, I’ll just go with governmental currencies.

    • merc@sh.itjust.works
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      6 months ago

      I actually considered a non-governmental, community regulated currency as a pretty good idea.

      That goes against the entire history of currencies. Every successful currency in history has been controlled by either the state or a religion (which was effectively state-like).

      • deafboy@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        That goes against the entire history of currencies.

        How come? Decentralized currencies were in place long before the dictators enforced their own private currencies on to all their subjects.

      • NudistWardrobe@lemmynsfw.com
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        6 months ago

        It does go against the history of currency. And most of that history tells us why it’s a good idea to democratize currency.

        It’s also an impractical idea because most governments would not be happy about it.

        • merc@sh.itjust.works
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          6 months ago

          And most of that history tells us why it’s a good idea to democratize currency.

          No… that history tells us that currency only exists when there’s a state / religion in control. There’s no reason for currency without a state / religion. Not only would it not work, it’s also unnecessary.

        • ulterno@lemmy.kde.social
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          6 months ago

          most governments would not be happy about it

          How come?
          Energy production companies would be happy no?
          Shouldn’t that make at least some govt. happy?

    • Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      crypto is too ecologically expensive and wasteful

      Only some (proof of work) crypto is ecologically expensive and wasteful.

          • ulterno@lemmy.kde.social
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            6 months ago

            Interesting, but, giving it a quick scan, some of them look like based on personal trust and others feel kinda chicken/egg-ish.
            And I may need to read it properly first, but “holdings” feels like you probably need to buy some of it first, presumably using some other currency.

            • Ispanicus@sh.itjust.works
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              6 months ago

              Yes, that’s the usual criticism. To be able to stake, you need to have currency, promoting a rich get richer kind of scheme.

      • uienia@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        As long as they use energy they are wasteful, considering they don’t provide anything constructive for that wasted energy which could have been used for better things.