The USA is not China. If the US government instructs Apple, Microsoft, Google, etc to block bitcoin, then they will comply.
A good example is internet piracy of video games and movies. For the most part the government ignores it, and people such as yourself believe that it's due to the incredible technology, that hackers have outsmarted the government and that we have a new era of freedom, a libertarian utopia where information can flow freely. The claims about bit torrent are identical to the claims about bitcoin -- that the technology is invincible, and thus government is impotent.
However, the truth is that the government (probably not the Chinese government lol) can shut down these piracy sites whenever it wants. A good example is "MegaUpload". MegaUpload was one of the largest piracy sites in the world. Like yourself and bitcoin, the users believed that Mega Upload was invincible because of advanced technology. One day MegaUpload got greedy, and it announced plans to not just do content distribution (re: piracy), but also content creation. In other words it was going to impede on Hollywood's monopoly of actual production of consumer art. It was then shut down within a couple days. Bit Torrent offered no protection.
I met a bitcoin connoisseur a few weeks ago. He had made a million dollars in profit -- good for him. I told him that the government would shut it down one day, and he told me (as you have) that this is impossible as bitcoin can be transferred on cell phones. What he doesn't realize is that the government can assume control of the cell phones whenever it wants. Apple, Microsoft, etc will comply, instantly, if Goldman Sachs says that the US dollar's reserve status is being undermined.
As long as the bitcoin is small, it will be allowed to proliferate. It might even be helpful right now as it's creating activity and liquidity. However, if it gets too large, it will be shut down.
"The USA is not China. "
Exactly, a more highly centralised country than the USA and one against the free market and person liberties to a greater extent. Not a good argument. "(probably not the Chinese government lol)" Not sure why this is a "lol", you don't seem to understand the economic or political situation of the country you're referring to.
"Apple, Microsoft, Google, etc to block bitcoin,"
Another stupid, meaningless statement. How are they going to do that, and what incentive is there to do it? This is the most important question, WHY would these companies do this when they are some of the biggest donors in the country and stand to gain from crypto themselves, as do the major investment banks? Corporate America will drive the decisions in this regard, and they will do what is best for themselves.
"One day MegaUpload got greedy, and it announced plans to not just do content distribution (re: piracy), but also content creation. "
Conspiracy theory nonsense. MegaUpload is not decentralised, again you don't understand the technology and yet feel free to insult it while exhibiting your lack of understanding.
"The claims about bit torrent are identical to the claims about bitcoin -- that the technology is invincible, and thus government is impotent."
And torrenting is invincible, you still have VPNs and hundreds of trackers sites to access whatever content you like whenever you like. Your argument supports mine, not your own. Shutting up a few centralised exchanges or crypto institutions has already happened, and is but a blip on the radar.
"As long as the bitcoin is small, it will be allowed to proliferate. It might even be helpful right now as it's creating activity and liquidity. However, if it gets too large, it will be shut down."
Futures markets being allowed by the US government, ETFs soon to be approved, and institutions getting in. Billionare Mike Novogratz setting up a 500 million $ crypto hedge fund soon. That doesn't look like a country considering getting rid of it. The new fed chairman also has suggested he is unconcerned and happy to embrace competing digital currencies.
I mean I don't know what to say man, you don't know what the f*** you're talking about, clearly haven't done your research and you lack basic understanding of the tech, but I've already made over 40gs in 4 months off a 10g investment and will continue to hold for the forseeable future. Constructing a diversified portfolio ought to include a portion of an alternative asset like crypto with non-correlated return to traditional equities markets, and there is nowhere else with the risk/return of crypto.
We'll see in a few years man.