Bitcoin is a currency that was created by Bernie Madoff in 2008, it's backed by a large cache of du-rags and bottles of OE 800 malt liquor that are currently stored and protected by the Montana militia. If you would like to purchase a Bitcoin please send all your money to Nigeria.

Hows this:
Bitcoin is a fundamental technology based on mathematics. It will do to banks what email did to the post office, but that's just the beginning. It took many years for fractal mathematics to go from making pretty pictures in movies to changing the way we understand the universe. Bitcoin will change the way we understand economics and how we function as a civilization.

Heh, I was trying to think of an allegory based on math. Maybe I should use "It took many years for people to understand New Math." 

I like that

'Why' is near the root of the matter. I certainly agree.
But not everyone can hear the same
answer to that question.

People function at very different levels of
consciousness.

There are higher orders of answer
to 'Why'
than you or I are capable of hearing
even right now

But someone sophisticated enough
to know that
is not going to beat you or I
over the head
with that answer, albeit properly correct

I see, now. Thanks for the pat on the back. Note, I also tossed out the 'is' to make it an active sentence.

I was going to post a YouTube video of E-Prime, and found a guy who, not only is into E-Prime, but against the Federal Reserve. Hope you enjoy this 3:15 video among others this guy is in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKRAY3t1L-o

I really liked that video.  Here is my try.

"My finances aren't anyone's business but my own. Bitcoin means I don't disclose or ask for anyone's permission when I make a transaction. Bitcoin lets me safely store, send, and receive money with anyone in the world for less than a penny per transaction. Unlike using my bank, credit card, or PayPal,  I am the only one who controls my money, and there is no middleman taking a cut." 

This is shorter that 30s, I might add, "It uses the same top-of-the-line encryption technology as the US government, so my money is more secure than if I stored in Fort Knox."


Cool idea.

Short and sweet.

"Like Western Union via email."


That's even better.

(though Western Union has a stigma for fees)


Re: your question,
that of course leads to a currency discussion.
Don't get me wrong. Bitcoin can stand-up to any major existing currency in a debate.
But the topic of this thread is 'elevator pitch', ostensibly to a total newbie. And I believe that one of the biggest mistakes, in that regard, is to immediately overwhelm a newbie with ideology and/or technospeak.

It's like a spaceship trying to enter a planet's atmosphere, too steep and it burns up ("Ponzi! Ponzi!"), too shallow and it bounces off ("Oh, another digital utopia.").

As for me, personally, I am VERY intent on ideology. Indeed, the essential point of my website (targeted to folks who are already further along the path) is taking the Bitcoin ideology to its natural interface with personal liberation.

So, yes, as per your 'Why' posit...count me in.

[FYI...I also dug your Robert Wilson vid & posted it up.]