Ask HN: Did you buy ethereum? Why?

No because betting on a network effect before there is a network effect is speculating, and I'm not into speculation. This doesn't mean it won't go up, or won't work, I'm just not sure those two things are correlated.

I'm still developing my understanding of how Bitcoin works, but I am also unconvinced that some of these things won't happen in the Bitcoin blockchain.

Yes, because:

1- I can afford to lose that money (positive ROI from buying btc in 2012)

2- I think someone has to push the boundaries of cryptocurrencies with new ideas (specially explore Szabo's Smart Contracts in its full potential)

3- I believe this team can "deliver"

I'm sick of knowing about things and not jumping in early. So rather than brag that I knew about Ethereum before everyone else did, yet not have any, I figured I'd get some to play with.

No, because I think after launch ethereum will go down before it goes up again and that we'll see a point where ethereum is going for below IPO price in the first 6 months of existence.