Comment by imiric | Hacker News Reader

Comment by imiric | Hacker News Reader

Parent Full thread

I can certainly name some, but then this thread will devolve into arguing how these products are actually scams as well, which I wanted to avoid.

But since you all insist:

- Brave's BAT is the best alternative web business model that gets rid of the advertising middleman plaguing the modern web, and all the associated privacy concerns, while having less friction than paywalls.

- Blockchains are a great fit for storing DNS, identity and certificate records. E.g. Handshake domains, Namecoin, etc.

- Despite the overwhelming negativity around it, there are many benefits of cryptocurrencies as well. Projects like Monero preserve privacy, and avoid exorbitant bank wire and middleman transfer fees (Western Union, etc.).

I'm sure someone will be able to list a bunch of reasons why all of these are worse than traditional technologies, and I can certainly name some myself, but this proves my point that these arguments are not done in good faith, and do nothing to address the issues this technology can solve. It would be refreshing to see an opponent of these technologies steelman the case for them, rather than join in the cargo cult against them, which is so easy to do. This is what I'm asking you to do, instead of lazily expect someone else to come up with some proof that meets your unreasonably high standards.

Bank fees are fees. There is no technical requirement whatsoever to come up with blockchain nor cryptocurrency to get rid of fees. They can be set to zero if public will is there. In fact my Citibank account has zero fees for worldwide SWIFT transfers in twelve native currencies plus all others via currency exchange. I honestly don't know a single crypto currency that would reach more people cheaper than that (considering losses on fiat->crypto->fiat exchanges and volatility of cryptocurrencies). Charging exorbitant fees is a business problem not a technical problem.

(e.g. trading stocks with a brokerage used to be very expensive until discount brokers set charges to 0. Now it costs little to nothing to execute trades.)

>Brave's BAT is the best alternative web business model that gets rid of the advertising middleman plaguing the modern web

I don't understand Brave just goes out and signs their own advertising deals. Essentially like using Chrome and using a google site. Google could do this too but would be a nightmare.

>Blockchains are a great fit for storing DNS, identity and certificate records.

As with the other comment, sure you could do it with blockchain but theres often better solutions.

> middleman transfer fees (Western Union, etc.).

The fundamental problem is people still have to deal with fiat money. that conversion always carries a fee.

> I don't understand Brave just goes out and signs their own advertising deals. Essentially like using Chrome and using a google site. Google could do this too but would be a nightmare.

No, it wouldn't be the same at all.

- Brave ads don't track users and violate their privacy.

- Users can earn BAT by viewing ads, which they can then use to support their favorite sites directly.

- Brave ads are opt-in. If you fund your BAT wallet externally, you can disable ads altogether while still supporting the sites you visit. This is the crucial step which allows eliminating the advertising middleman altogether.

Please read more about how BAT works.

> As with the other comment, sure you could do it with blockchain but theres often better solutions.

Better in what way? DNS is technically decentralized, but it's effectively controlled by ICANN and large registrars. Companies own entire sets of gTLDs, and the most popular resolvers are operated by large corporations. Only 13 root name servers resolve queries the entire internet depends on. This system is susceptible to hijacking.

Parts of this are related to registrations, and parts are operational. I'm not saying that the blockchain is the answer to all these problems, but it's a step in the right direction that opens the door to further discussion.

> The fundamental problem is people still have to deal with fiat money. that conversion always carries a fee.

So? That's out of scope for what this technology can help with. Besides, there are stores and entire marketplaces where only crypto is exchanged.

Sorry, but these are all lazy dismissals.

To be fair, there are valid issues that should be addressed with these technologies, but nothing will be done if the conversation is stopped in its tracks at the first mention of bad words.

It reminds me of the discussions around nuclear power. It is perceived so negatively by the public that its use is being abandoned, yet it has a large benefit potential if used correctly. Cryptocurrencies don't carry nearly as much risk, yet are popularly vilified because it feels good to jump on the hate bandwagon, rather than honestly discuss their merits. I expect better from forums like this.

- Brave ads don't track users and violate their privacy.

Yes ad tracking and personalization can be disabled as well through google.

- Users can earn BAT by viewing ads, which they can then use to support their favorite sites directly.

Any ad supported site, you're already supporting by visiting. You can argue its additional but its still supported on visit and display of ads.

- If you fund your BAT wallet externally, you can disable ads altogether while still supporting the sites you visit.

This is fundamentally false. A creator first has to know about it and then sign up and etc.

> opens the door to further discussion.

So you agree.

>Besides, there are stores and entire marketplaces where only crypto is exchanged.

Where can I pay bills with crypto ?

I expect better from forums like this.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com