“Bitcoin is a way to convert cheap or excess energy anywhere in the world into money, much of it renewable or energy that would go to waste.” Do we have such a thing as “excess” energy? I’m not sure what you mean by go to waste.
“In a world where the US money supply can go up 23% in a given year with no end in sight...” And yet real inflation rates have remained low and pretty much on target for decades. Why don’t we see 23% inflation? You can’t take the money supply alone and assume inflation. That’s only 1/4 of the equation that determines prices. Expansionary monetary policy is implemented as a response to otherwise DEFLATIONARY adverse events, to prevent a downward spiral. The end in sight is the end of whatever crisis it was used for. The fed then announces a new interest rate. Etc. A % increase in the money supply alone, without context, doesn’t tell me whether it’s an excessive number and I should be worried.
“Lots of people would be turned off a remedy just because it's 'not medicine', even afterward it was proven scientifically.” Not sure when that has actually happened?
Willow bark to aspirin is a great example of an extremely old “traditional” treatment becoming medicine. Same with quinine for malaria, etc. Tons of real medicines originated by isolating compounds found in nature, even if the final pill form you see is purified or even synthetic. Most people are unaware or just fine with this fact. Sure there are probably many natural treatments out there that are effective (and many that aren’t, or are downright dangerous). We should do the work needed to study them scientifically, and turn the good ones into medicine. Not just promote alternative treatments indiscriminately.
“In a world where the US money supply can go up 23% in a given year with no end in sight...” And yet real inflation rates have remained low and pretty much on target for decades. Why don’t we see 23% inflation? You can’t take the money supply alone and assume inflation. That’s only 1/4 of the equation that determines prices. Expansionary monetary policy is implemented as a response to otherwise DEFLATIONARY adverse events, to prevent a downward spiral. The end in sight is the end of whatever crisis it was used for. The fed then announces a new interest rate. Etc. A % increase in the money supply alone, without context, doesn’t tell me whether it’s an excessive number and I should be worried.