> The idea that my mom will someday use Bitcoin to buy books online is about as realistic as the belief that, any minute now, youngsters will realize that the daily newspaper is better read in paper form
Your mom probably didn't push for the adoption of email yet here it is (sorry usps). The advantages of faster cheaper easier don't require much convincing, especially in the case of money/contracts/assets.
The idea that people will adopt antiquated technologies when better alternatives exist is paradoxical, which makes your analogy especially confusing. Government currency is the antiquated technology, not bitcoin.
For those remittance services you point to, they need market depth in order to operate. Sure the underground market can provide some, but merchant adoption sure isn't going to hurt.
Your mom probably didn't push for the adoption of email yet here it is (sorry usps). The advantages of faster cheaper easier don't require much convincing, especially in the case of money/contracts/assets.
The idea that people will adopt antiquated technologies when better alternatives exist is paradoxical, which makes your analogy especially confusing. Government currency is the antiquated technology, not bitcoin.
For those remittance services you point to, they need market depth in order to operate. Sure the underground market can provide some, but merchant adoption sure isn't going to hurt.