TL;DR
A 2013 image of a Bitcoin presentation to a near-empty room highlights the irony of missed opportunities and the cyclical nature of financial bubbles. While some saw potential, most dismissed it, proving we often repeat past mistakes fueled by hype and the allure of quick riches.
Story
In 2013, Bitcoin’s value was under $100. Few people in a small room discussed it. Now, imagine those faces realizing Bitcoin’s future trajectory. It’s both fascinating and chilling. This reminds us of countless historical bubbles—tulips, the dot-com crash, 2008. People chase shiny new things, blinded by potential riches, ignoring the inherent risks.‣ Risk: The chance of losing something valuable (money, time).\n\nBitcoin’s early days mirror the classic hype cycle: promises of revolutionary change, early adopters striking it rich, and the masses piling in hoping for a quick buck. But like a house of cards, these structures are fragile. When faith wavers, the collapse is swift and brutal. Remember Enron? Or Madoff’s Ponzi scheme?‣ Ponzi Scheme: A scam where early investors are paid with money from later investors, creating an illusion of profit. \n\nThe image of that near-empty room in 2013 is a stark reminder. Most ignored Bitcoin, some dismissed it as a joke, and even tech-savvy individuals failed to grasp its potential or danger. It’s easy to scoff at those who missed out, but the bigger lesson is about human fallibility—our tendency to fall for hype, our inability to predict the future, and our collective amnesia when it comes to financial history. We all buy bitcoin at the price we deserve. It is ironic that some were also worth less than $100 in 2013.
Advice
Don’t blindly chase hype. Every “next big thing” has the potential to become the next big bust. Study history, understand the risks, and be skeptical of guaranteed returns.