[Zarath]

Does anyone actually use stocks? I mean, it's not like I can show up at AAPL and demand their espresso maker because I own enough shares of their stock. The "partial ownership of the business" is a complete myth. In reality, unless a corporation pays a dividend, or goes bankrupt and is liquidated and shareholders are paid, stocks are just liquid vehicles of speculation.

[svachalek]

Stocks don't purport to be currency though.

The question about gold is more fair. There have been times when actual gold coins were used as currency, and until 1971 the dollar was on a gold standard, meaning dollars gained at least some of their credibility from the fact they could be traded for a fixed amount of gold; i.e. paying in dollars was in effect paying in gold.

But now, no, gold's status as a "currency" is mostly from tradition. Still, it's relatively easy to use and its value is comparatively stable. And people can't just up and make a new one at any time.

[artursapek]

Over time I think it became clear that Bitcoin was misnamed. If it's like any coin, it's a $1700 1 oz Gold coin - not the nickels and dimes people generally think of. It's a great store of value (if you have a strong stomach to short-term fluctuation) but not great for small transactions.