Programmer Robert McNally Put Together An Awesome Presentation On What Bitcoin Really Is

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Let's begin ...

Let's begin ...
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And start with basics.

And start with basics.
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In 2013, Bitcoin *is* money — at least for some — and that population grows each day.

In 2013, Bitcoin *is* money — at least for some — and that population grows each day.

In this community, it has developed the same properties as regular cash.

In this community, it has developed the same properties as regular cash.
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Though some prefer to think of it as more akin to gold, due to its durability and limited supply.

Though some prefer to think of it as more akin to gold, due to its durability and limited supply.

But technically, it is a cryptocurrency.

But technically, it is a cryptocurrency.
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That means there are no records or files on the transactees.

That means there are no records or files on the transactees.

This is Bitcoin's principal benefit for many currency hawks or central bank doubters.

This is Bitcoin's principal benefit for many currency hawks or central bank doubters.
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There have been previous attempts at cryptocurrencies, but Bitcoin is unique.

There have been previous attempts at cryptocurrencies, but Bitcoin is unique.

In theory, no one controls it. And you can also take it anywhere, since it's just code.

In theory, no one controls it. And you can also take it anywhere, since it's just code.
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Here's how Bitcoins are made ...

Here's how Bitcoins are made ...

Computers "mine" for it by cracking a predetermined encrypted program. This is a quite difficult task, which is what gives Bitcoin its inherent value.

Computers "mine" for it by cracking a predetermined encrypted program. This is a quite difficult task, which is what gives Bitcoin its inherent value.
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As Boromir would say ...

As Boromir would say ...

Does this look familiar? Plotted over millennia, it represents the arc of known gold stocks. Plotted over decades, it's also, in theory, true for Bitcoin.

Does this look familiar? Plotted over millennia, it represents the arc of known gold stocks. Plotted over decades, it's also, in theory, true for Bitcoin.
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Here's what "miners" look like in real life.

Here's what "miners" look like in real life.

One "block" of Bitcoins is created about every 10 minutes these days. We'll see how much one block is in a moment.

One "block" of Bitcoins is created about every 10 minutes these days. We'll see how much one block is in a moment.
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Again, mining for Bitcoins requires a heck of a lot of dedicated computer memory.

Again, mining for Bitcoins requires a heck of a lot of dedicated computer memory.

Do Bitcoins look like anything?

Do Bitcoins look like anything?
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As previously stated, they're basically just code.

As previously stated, they're basically just code.

So how much is a "block"? It's been changing every day. This chart is now very outdated — Bitcoins traded as high as $94 last week.

So how much is a "block"? It's been changing every day. This chart is now very outdated — Bitcoins traded as high as $94 last week.

Source: Mt. Gox

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So who's actually accepting Bitcoins? When they first came on the scene, pretty much only programmers or gamers were.

So who's actually accepting Bitcoins? When they first came on the scene, pretty much only programmers or gamers were.

But as its popularity — and value — grows ...

But as its popularity — and value — grows ...
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So does the range of things you can buy with it.

So does the range of things you can buy with it.

And now, chances are your card shark buddy would allow you to pay off your debt in it.

And now, chances are your card shark buddy would allow you to pay off your debt in it.
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