Here's how those talks usually go:
😇The Funny Problem: Explaining Crypto to Aunt Carol
Imagine you're at a family dinner. Your Aunt Carol just finished talking about her new hobby. Then, she looks at you, a bit confused, and asks,
"So, this... crypto thing? Is it like, internet money? And why are dogs involved?"
Oh, it's always funny trying to tell someone about crypto when they still call all internet search sites "the Google." It's not a normal talk. It's more like you're trying to show something difficult with lots of hand movements and frustrated sighs.
😇Explaining Bitcoin: Digital Gold (Without the Gold Bar)
You start with Bitcoin. You think it will be easy.
"It's digital gold, Aunt Carol! A store of value!" Her eyes glaze over. "So, like, a digital piggy bank? But... where's the piggy?"
You try to explain 'mining'.
"It's like solving a really hard puzzle, and if you solve it, you get a piece of the digital gold!"
She slowly nods, probably imagining people in safety hats doing puzzles on glowing screens.
😇Explaining Ethereum and DeFi: Money Without a Bank
Next comes Ethereum and DeFi. You hope it will go smoothly.
"It's not just money, Aunt Carol, it's a whole programmable internet of money! You can lend, borrow, swap... all without a bank!"
She raises an eyebrow.
"So, like, a very complicated online loan shark service? And if there's no bank, who sends me the bill?"
You try to explain smart contracts.
"They're like self-executing agreements!"
She looks worried.
"So if I accidentally agree to buy a thousand digital cats, it just... happens? Who is monitoring these 'smart' contracts? Are they smarter than my real estate agent?"
😇Explaining Meme Coins: Dog Pictures as Money
Then comes the hardest part: Meme Coins. This is when you almost give up.
"Okay, so there's Dogecoin, right? It started as a joke, but then Elon Musk tweeted about it, and now people are making real money from it!"
Aunt Carol looks even more confused.
"So, you're telling me you invested your hard-earned money in... a picture of a dog? Is this like those Beanie Babies? Because I still have a box of those in the attic, and my therapist says I need to let go."
You try to talk about how a group of people can make things popular, how it's not controlled by one person, and how the records are permanent. She just smiles, a kind but slightly sorry smile.
"Honey, as long as you're happy. But if you ever need real money, your uncle still has that jar of change from the trips to the grocery store."
You walk away, a bit tired but also finding it funny. Aunt Carol might never understand DeFi or why people buy digital pictures. But her funny mistakes remind you: in the wild world of crypto, the best thing you have is not a coin, but a good sense of humor. And perhaps, a strong beverage.
