"Can you explain how NFTs aren't scams, and why it makes sense for people to be wasting their time on something that doesn't really exist and then pretending that it's real money even though it's less than worthless?"
To claim that NFTs are a scam would be similar to claiming that art in general is a scam. To claim "then pretending that its real money even though its less than worthless" just plain doesnt make sense because they aren't worthless... Have you seen the price of BitCoin? Value is not only determined by a mathematical formula (nor tangibility) and is also a psychological construct of perceived valued. We have all agreed that crypto contains value, therefore, it does - and that's all that matters. It's actually identical to actual money as actual money is not 1-for-1 backed by gold in the reserver... But yet, we agree that $1 equal $1 - regardless of whether that $1 is backed with gold or not. As for the "scam" part, its equivalent to saying pokemon cards are a scam... Just because you might not like it, or think its cool - doesnt mean someone else doesnt see value in it.
"Oh, and what about all these mysterious benefits to society that cryptocurrencies are supposed to have that I keep hearing about, but that people only mention and never talk about? Can you explain that, and how these benefits outweigh all of the negatives that come with them?"
The benefits of crypto are decentralization (which can be a con too) and not having one entity control our finances. The other benefits are we are creating new digital currencies that can be used in every day business that doesnt rely on banking institutions. To say it's better or worse doesn't matter, it's an alternative that people are using and it's working well in the businesses commerce. Of course, there are cons... It's evolving technology. As for the benfits of NFTs? Well, again that is determined by individual. You could ask what is the benefit of buying Minecraft for $30? The benefit is personal, and if I like it and perceive it as something I want to own and so do others... There is the benefit, i.e., enjoyment. Its literally the same as asking "what is the benefit of pokemon cards".
