Author: Aaron Voisine 2014-05-04 06:15:55
Published on: 2014-05-04T06:15:55+00:00
The discussion revolves around the use of the term "bit" in Bitcoin and its potential for confusion. Chris Pacia suggests that people will naturally use the term "bits" instead of "millibits" or "microbits". He argues that the term "bit" is symbolic of the tech nature of Bitcoin and references a unit of money from the past. Additionally, he believes the context in which "bit" is used will distinguish it from other uses of the word. On the other hand, Christophe Biocca argues that using "bit" as a unit of measurement could cause confusion, especially among those who aren't familiar with computer science or Bitcoin. He cites examples of other confusing terms used in Bitcoin such as mining, addresses, and wallets. Biocca questions adding yet another term to the pile for aesthetic reasons. Mike Caldwell agrees with Biocca, stating that it's important to avoid poor understanding by targeting language that achieves the clearest communication to the widest possible target audience. Caldwell believes that the goal of getting people to understand enough about Bitcoin to use it is achievable and within the scope of their efforts. However, he also recognizes that getting people to understand computer science at large is less feasible.In conclusion, the debate is centered around whether the term "bit" is appropriate for use in Bitcoin due to the potential for confusion among those who are not familiar with the technology. While some argue that the term is symbolic and fits well with the tech nature of Bitcoin, others believe that it could cause more harm than good by adding to the already confusing terminology associated with the cryptocurrency.
Updated on: 2023-06-08T20:06:27.653119+00:00