Why is blockchain better than a centralized database for the end user? What specific advantages does it offer to me when I go to 7-11 and buy a Slurpee with my watch, which is how I do it now?
Third attempt: it's not! The Bitcoin blockchain is not suitable for day-to-day transactions like buying a Slurpee. You should use your watch and a centralized database to do "offchain" BTC transactions instead[0]. The real question is: why is BTC better than fiat (e.g. USD)? This is what I attempted to answer in my topmost comment.
[0] Or better, use the lightning network. As an end user, its benefit over more centralized alternatives like Paypal or credit cards is that it's an open network. You don't have to ask permission and open an account to start using it. Also, low fees. Also, your account can't be frozen or confiscated. Also, it works everywhere in the world and there are no extra fees for international payments. Also, you can do peer-to-peer transactions.
I am asking why I would open an account in the first place when the current system works great for me. I am sorry you find it so frustrating that I would like to know why I should switch to using Lightning. The only answer seems to be “because blockchain,” and that explains exactly nothing.
Ah, I see. I didn't mean that you could literally buy a Slurpee with BTC on your watch today. It was just a hypothetical example for how it could work in the future.
There aren't many use cases for the "average Joe" for now. It's still the early days and not many merchants support it. So if you aren't particularly interested in the technology/philosophy nor have a use case for it, there's probably no compelling reason for you to use it. Right now, it is of most utility to unbanked/underbanked people, for remittances, and p2p payments. It is also used for payments by merchants but only in some niches (e.g. online porn, gambling, cannabis industry, etc.).
Of course, it's also appealing to speculators who believe in its long-term potential. They are probably the largest class of Bitcoin holders, but Lightning doesn't really target that use case.
Yeah, a metaphorical "early days". What I meant was that adoption level is still relatively low and there are still many infrastructure components and services that are lacking or incomplete.
