January 23, 2014

There were 2 posts published on January 23, 2014 (this is page 1 of 1).

On the Matter of Why Bitcoin Matters — The Magazine on Medium

Glenn Fleishman, frequent contributor to The Economist, takes a closer look at Marc Andreessen’s recent NY Times opinion piece about Bitcoin.

Marc Andreessen wrote an essay for the New York Times about Bitcoin, “Why Bitcoin Matters,” in which he attempts to explain the relevancy of the digital currency for the future of commercial transactions. He uses analogies, allegories, history, and ostensible facts to build his case.

However, I believe he fundamentally misrepresents or misunderstands key aspects of the technology, ecosystem, and impact, despite Andreessen Horowitz, of which he is a founding partner, having just under $50m in investment fully disclosed in “Bitcoin-related startups.” I own no Bitcoins; Marc has a “de minimis” amount. I will note that someone owning Bitcoin investments and not Bitcoins is the same as owning gold-mine investments and no gold.

via On the Matter of Why Bitcoin Matters — The Magazine on Medium — Medium.

Still feeling the pain

Yesterday I had a talk with a business owner friend of mine about how I might help him out. He and I have known each other for over ten years and I’ve done work for him in the past. He should have been the ultimate friendly audience for me to explain where I’m at right now. Even so, I could hear the stress in my voice when I explained my skills and expertise. Losing my job still stings.

I dropped my daughter off at a friend’s house for the afternoon on Tuesday. Her friend’s mom asked if I was working from home that day. Not wanting to go into the messy details, I told her I had the day off. Which I suppose is technically true. My guilt in losing my job overrules my guilt in fibbing about it. Either way, it sucks.

I suppose the pain shows that I really cared about that job. Certainly I tried hard to make it work. And yet, in looking back those last several weeks were not good for my health.

I’m ready for my next chapter to begin. I just hope I can soon put the last one behind me for good.