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Comment by twox2 | Hacker News Reader

This is a very good point, thank you for making it. I've always approached HN with my own bias, which is an interest in underground technology, hacking, and of course crypto. I never really saw the crowd as mostly normies, but I guess I never paused to reflect that there's a lot of content here I ignore, precisely because it is that.

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What are "normies"?

Normies is a term that crypto enthusiasts use to refer to folks that don't know much about crypto. I guess it's pejorative, but I use it in jest. Maybe I should stop using it.

Most of these 'normies' probably started earlier in crypto than you.

And got out because it's not interesting anymore.

I've been in "crypto" a pretty long time. I agree a lot of it is no longer interesting, namely Bitcoin, but smart contract platforms are fascinating.

Well, if you did crypto around the time you joined here = 2019/06.

I can say that this normie predates your crypto experience with 3 years. A lot of people here way earlier.

My currently expired crypto magazine it's most popular article was "how to recover your Bitcoin password" ~ 2017. I've seen/experienced this 'movement' before ;).

Ps. Ethereum was already popular then because of it's "potential" of programmability.

It changes so fast that "when" is largely irrelevant. I started with crypto in 2013, just getting to play with Bitcoin a little bit. Was never a big holder, but waiting for the day it would see bigger adoption. I lost interest in BTC after the block size debate. My first exposure to ETH was shortly after they launched, but it took me a while to really understand how it works. These days I use ETH every single day, mainly via NFTs and side projects. I'm also interested in new and emerging chains with niche use cases, getting in early as a validator as a way of placing bets on potential future success... but I'm in no way a fanatic. I don't think crypto will "replace" fiat. I don't think NFTs will disrupt ownership, and I optimize my gains towards traditional investments. I find crypto fun, and I think it offers interesting ways for folks to interact with each other using programmable money. My gripe I suppose is how easily some folks dismiss it, but to each their own.

I think you nailed the bullet with "moved to traditional investments". I don't need to worry about tether anymore and the ROI is good enough.

I'll consider it again after tether drops the crypto market.

have you been waiting since 2017?

No, i got out in 2017 when it hit 18 k. And never went back in.

I'm also not following it anymore.

The term "normie" predates crypto, though. It goes back to describing anyone who followed the mainstream.

Tends to be a term that unusual groups (Asperger patients, people who are awkard but don't get diagnosed as anything, incels, etc.) use to refer to normal people that is somewhat pejorative.

My particular use is a bit ambiguous and ironic. I'd see both the crypto enthusiasts and HN users as not normal. In terms of hierarchy however, I'd say HN users are relatively more normal than crypto enthusiasts, but that's half my opinion and half being provocative. (e.g. it will cause some people to make unforced errors.)

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