♠Derpeh♤ Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2014/01/aussie-mum-in-anti-bitcoin-crusade-after-sons-death/ TL;DR 21 year old guy bought drugs via bitcoins, overdosed and died. Mother is pointing the finger at bitcoins as the main cause of her son's death. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMar1o Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Gun's don't kill people, people kill people with guns. Drugs don't kill people, people kill themselves with drugs. It's not bitcoin's fault, it's not the drug dealer's fault. It's the kids fault for making bad decisions, and his parents for not teaching him right from wrong and screening his friends and lifestyle choices. The mom is just blaming bitcoin so people don't look at here as the reason. Casting blame is a typical guilty person move and in this case it's totally stupid. Would she be blaming paypal if he used that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vegan T-Rex Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 money buys knifes knifes kill people lets point fingers at money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puddingkip Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Yeah let's blame the national bank for printing dollars used for drugs. Same logic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorisk322 Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Gun's don't kill people, people kill people with guns. Drugs don't kill people, people kill themselves with drugs. It's not bitcoin's fault, it's not the drug dealer's fault. It's the kids fault for making bad decisions, and his parents for not teaching him right from wrong and screening his friends and lifestyle choices. I do think it's the drug dealer's fault. They, more than anyone else, know the risks involved with using the stuff they sell, yet they keep on doing it. The users usually underestimate those risks. 'Trying once won't kill me'. The dealer is fully aware of the risks of addiction etc. and exploits them for personal gain. I'm guessing the mother can't handle the fact that her son died. Especially because he died of drug-use, aka something illegal and 'bad' he did. She can't accept that HE did something that got him killed. Someone or something else has to be blamed, because her son would never do this. She doesn't choose the dealer, because that's too hard, so she chooses Bitcoin: A currency and a way of paying. Bitcoin didn't kill her son, drugs did. While she's at it, she might as well start a petition to ban cash. Instead of trying to ban something many people enjoy using, because some people abuse it, she could spend her time raising awareness for the problems caused by drugs and preparing for her son's funeral. I think he would be very glad the world will remember him as the junky-son of that idiot woman who tried to ban a currency. GG, no re. EDIT: Following the transaction history, Mrs Skelly is calling for the anonymity behind Bitcoin transactions to be removed, or for the currency to be banned in Australia altogether. Well, good luck with that. Despite insisting that his business only operates a currency exchange service for bitcoin, I believe Mr Jeremy West is happy to also profit from facilitating the online drug trade and uses push marketing in emails. It is only who knows to which dealer’s account my son’s payment actually went. Yep, she really is ignorant if she thinks an exchange knows who receives the money spent. Bitcoin is also offering a marketing service for global drug traffickers who are targeting Australian youth. Right, because money offers a marketing service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMar1o Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 the world will remember him as the junky-son of that idiot woman who tried to ban a currency. hahaha never thought of that but yep, that's how people are going to remember him now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
♠Derpeh♤ Posted January 14, 2014 Author Share Posted January 14, 2014 It's not bitcoin's fault, it's not the drug dealer's fault. It's the kids fault for making bad decisions, and his parents for not teaching him right from wrong and screening his friends and lifestyle choices. The mom is just blaming bitcoin so people don't look at here as the reason. Casting blame is a typical guilty person move and in this case it's totally stupid. Would she be blaming paypal if he used that? money buys knifes knifes kill people lets point fingers at money Yeah let's blame the national bank for printing dollars used for drugs. Same logic My god i love you guys! >-< You have no idea how big of a deal this story has become in Australia... Every time i hear about it all i can think is how funny it is that she had to point the finger at a currency than to accept that it was her own parenting at fault, the mother simply disregarded the fact that her son bought those drugs himself and used them on himself which lead to his death. I do feel bad for the mother but i believe she is pointing the finger in the wrong direction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorisk322 Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Rather than accept that it was her own parenting at fault, the mother simply disregarded the fact that her son bought those drugs himself and used them on himself which lead to his death. While parenting definitely isn't the only thing causing drug-abuse, I do think this is the exact problem. How would you ever be able to forgive yourself for 'killing' your own son? She has to believe it was not her fault. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Random Chilean Guy Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Emm... Who kind of drug dealer accept Bitcoins? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorisk322 Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Emm... Who kind of drug dealer accept Bitcoins? Many do. Google 'Silk Road'. EDIT: Someone in the comments of the article mentioned he didn't die of an overdose, but because of the bad quality of the cocain he used. Something about what it had been cut with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMar1o Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Many do. Google 'Silk Road'. EDIT: Someone in the comments of the article mentioned he didn't die of an overdose, but because of the bad quality of the cocain he used. Something about what it had been cut with? We need ♠Derpeh♤ to comment on this then, since he is an Aussie. If that is the case then its STILL not bitcoin's fault and still partially her fault but more so on the damn drug dealer selling sub-par stuff. What is with drug dealers these days *smh* lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F CHARLIE Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Many do. Google 'Silk Road'. EDIT: Someone in the comments of the article mentioned he didn't die of an overdose, but because of the bad quality of the cocain he used. Something about what it had been cut with? I am in general agreement with what all of you have said but want to give this support to the mothers' s arguemen. As bicycling allows for greater anonymity it may be the bitcoin allows scamming drug dealers to selling dangerous drugs as this article states. She may not be making this point but I think its valid and lends more support to legalizing drugs in order to bring its quality and use under observation. Many people die from bad drugs every year and there is little incentive for drug dealers to provide quality. Yes the mother's reaction is self defensive but not because of bad parenting concerns necessarily. It may simply be how personally painfully this is and many people want to take aggressive action (see Iraq War and Afghan War). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karam Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Well, his parents bought internet, then he used internet money to buy drugs, let's blame the mom for buying the internet ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMar1o Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Well, his parents bought internet, then he used internet money to buy drugs, let's blame the mom for buying the internet ! no lets blame the internet! BAN THE INTERNET! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Random Chilean Guy Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Well, his parents bought internet, then he used internet money to buy drugs, let's blame the mom for buying the internet ! no lets blame the internet! BAN THE INTERNET! Come on Internet,buy drugs with "money". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorisk322 Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 I am in general agreement with what all of you have said but want to give this support to the mothers' s arguemen. As bicycling allows for greater anonymity it may be the bitcoin allows scamming drug dealers to selling dangerous drugs as this article states. She may not be making this point but I think its valid and lends more support to legalizing drugs in order to bring its quality and use under observation. Many people die from bad drugs every year and there is little incentive for drug dealers to provide quality. I can't say Bitcoin does not make it easier to sell drugs, so she's right there. However, since Bitcoin is used for many good (as in: not bad) things as well, I don't think her 'solution' makes sense. I think this is similar to how the NSA spying on everyone has saved a few lives, but it has also destroyed the privacy of millions of others. The original reason for doing these things is a valid one, but not when compared to the 'side-effects'. Legalizing drugs is another interesting topic for debate. I think it's a good idea for some drugs, like marijuana. Using and buying marijuana is legal where I live (the Netherlands), and it definitely seems to work well. M is less addictive than some of the other (illegal) drugs though, and it is relatively easy to end your addiction to it. As long as you don't drive while under the effects and don't use too much it usually isn't very harmful either. Many other drugs are more harmful to the user and to people/property around him. Legalizing drugs definitely has its advantages, but I don't think it's the best solution in all cases. Yes the mother's reaction is self defensive but not because of bad parenting concerns necessarily. It may simply be how personally painfully this is and many people want to take aggressive action (see Iraq War and Afghan War). Yeah, I probably stated the 'bad parenting concerns' a bit too much as a fact now I read it back. I meant it could be (one of) the reason(s) she did this. What you bring up makes a lot of sense to me as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMar1o Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Come on Internet,buy drugs with "money". well, bitcoin is "digital" money so maybe "internet" did buy drugs and had them shipped to the kids house and he tried them out. But to be fair bitcoin probably pressured internet into it so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stolen Goods Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 well, bitcoin is "digital" money so maybe "internet" did buy drugs and had them shipped to the kids house and he tried them out. But to be fair bitcoin probably pressured internet into it so. Woahwoahwoah, slow down. So you're telling me that someone found his address, a (reliable) internet drug dealer, and used THEIR bitcoin to send cocaine to some random australian kid's house, and that said non-centralized currency "pressured" the internet into doing this? Good detective work, son. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMar1o Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Woahwoahwoah, slow down. So you're telling me that someone found his address, a (reliable) internet drug dealer, and used THEIR bitcoin to send cocaine to some random australian kid's house, and that said non-centralized currency "pressured" the internet into doing this? Good detective work, son. Nope, I am saying the internet became sentient and partnered with bitcoins in a sinister plot to end this kids life and the only one who knows the truth is the mother #sarahconnor #skynet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorisk322 Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Nope, I am saying the internet became sentient and partnered with bitcoins in a sinister plot to end this kids life and the only one who knows the truth is the mother #sarahconnor #skynet Please keep it on topic. I'd like this thread to not be moved to the Great Britain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
♠Derpeh♤ Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 Many do. Google 'Silk Road'. EDIT: Someone in the comments of the article mentioned he didn't die of an overdose, but because of the bad quality of the cocain he used. Something about what it had been cut with? This is semi correct, to my knowledge it was from a drug overdose though the quality of the cocaine wasnt "high quality" taking a normal dosage would not have caused the boy's death. I can't say Bitcoin does not make it easier to sell drugs, so she's right there. However, since Bitcoin is used for many good (as in: not bad) things as well, I don't think her 'solution' makes sense. Legalizing drugs is another interesting topic for debate. I think it's a good idea for some drugs, like marijuana. Using and buying marijuana is legal where I live (the Netherlands), and it definitely seems to work well. M is less addictive than some of the other (illegal) drugs though, and it is relatively easy to end your addiction to it. Over here many adults and of the older generation buy drugs with irl money though bitcoins has made it's anonymity more favored, many still buy from seedy people. Her solution is to essentially ban the money so you cant buy drugs, her somewhat lack of knowledge with bitcoins while stirring up the biggest story she can was also ridiculed by many unfortunately. Over here Marijuana is also legalized in many areas it's like one plant max per household. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
There Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Yes, because if he didn't have Bitcoin, he obviously would not have attained cocaine. Point is: this solves nothing. There are so many ways to buy cocaine that eliminating one of them, one that I assume was one of the least popular ways, is going to solve absolutely nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whopz Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Based on experience, buying cocaine with fiat currency (USD, EUR, CAD, etc) is much easier than buying with bitcoin, however you can still easily get it with both currencies. Aussie mom is angry after losing her son and is looking to place her blame. Nothing else to it really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorisk322 Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Yes, because if he didn't have Bitcoin, he obviously would not have attained cocaine. Point is: this solves nothing. There are so many ways to buy cocaine that eliminating one of them, one that I assume was one of the least popular ways, is going to solve absolutely nothing. Bitcoin does provide many benefits that other ways of paying don't in this situation, so it definitely facilitates drug trade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
There Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Bitcoin does provide many benefits that other ways of paying don't in this situation, so it definitely facilitates drug trade. Like what? The anonymity of it doesn't make it that much better, and it's probably less efficient than meeting face to face. Mailing drugs is dumb for a number of reasons, and if you're going to meet them, why not give them the money there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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