[Particle Person]

That said, a physical bitcoin is actually just a serial number (a private key).

Is the number one a physical thing?

The number one is not a unique identifier attached to a network. All bitcoins exist, physically, on harddrives/thumb drives/sheets of paper. There is no such thing as a bitcoin that is not physical.

The number one exists in all networks.

It's how your computer processes information and communicates. It's how the 'bitcoin' serial number is calculated.

You are trying to make a number (and an algorithm) into a 'physical thing'.

Computers don't operate with magic. There is no real separation between "virtual" existence and physical existence.

[Rushy]

ITT: Irushwithscvs derails his own thread on accident.

It's my thread and it goes where I please, dammit.

[DDDDAts all folks]

That said, a physical bitcoin is actually just a serial number (a private key).

Is the number one a physical thing?

The number one is not a unique identifier attached to a network. All bitcoins exist, physically, on harddrives/thumb drives/sheets of paper. There is no such thing as a bitcoin that is not physical.

The number one exists in all networks.

It's how your computer processes information and communicates. It's how the 'bitcoin' serial number is calculated.

You are trying to make a number (and an algorithm) into a 'physical thing'.

Computers don't operate with magic. There is no real separation between "virtual" existence and physical existence.

Now you're using the term existence. Changing the goal posts again I see.

He is trying to make a number (and an algorithm) into a physical thing. Where did the term existence come into it?

[Particle Person]

Sorry, I thought you were claiming that bitcoins can exist without any physical manifestation.

[DDDDAts all folks]

Sorry, I thought you were claiming that bitcoins can exist without any physical manifestation.

Numbers exist without any physical manifestation.

That said, a physical bitcoin is actually just a serial number (a private key).

I'm addressing this.

[Particle Person]

Sorry, I thought you were claiming that bitcoins can exist without any physical manifestation.

Numbers exist without any physical manifestation.

Correct, but numbers stored on computers don't.

[Lord Dave]

Saying a number stored as magnetic/optical/flash bit is a physical object is as silly as saying a number stored on a piece of paper has monetary value based on the number.

[Blanko]

a number stored on a piece of paper has monetary value based on the number.

So, bitcoins?

[fappenhosen]

computers

What do they have to do with anything?

[Fortuna]

"Physical" for the purposes of this argument should be defined as something that is tangible; something that you can pick up and show to someone, not an electron. Discussions like this aren't meaningful unless you're in law school or something.

[fappenhosen]

A bitcoin isn't actually a 'thing' you can point at. It is just a number

associated with a bitcoin address.

ZOMG WTF LOL

[Particle Person]

Yes, a number and address stored in a physical medium.

[Fortuna]

Stahp.

[Particle Person]

Stahp.

le epic trollered

[fappenhosen]

Yes, a number and address stored in a physical medium.

Any physical medium?

[Particle Person]

Yes, a number and address stored in a physical medium.

Any physical medium?

Usually an HDD or SSD.

[fappenhosen]

Usually an HDD or SSD.

Are they the only media that can be used to record a bitcoin?

[Particle Person]

I don't know, ask our resident bitfag. You can get a neat coin, but presumably the key is still stored in a server somewhere.

[fappenhosen]

I don't know

then why are you posting?

[Fortuna]

Usually an HDD or SSD.

Are they the only media that can be used to record a bitcoin?

Your wallet has the encryption keys. The blockchain has the addresses, and everyone mining bitcoins has information on every bitcoin transaction through the blockchain. That's how a transaction is verified as legitimate.