Here is a good article from Vitalik as well:
http://bitcoinmagazine.com/9671/ethereum-next-generation-cryptocurrency-decentralized-application-platform/

Here he explained also the motivation to create Ethereum and the problems with the other crypto 2.0 projects (he was a bit involved with mastercoins and colored coins as well).
There are also some good hi level images:
Think of the early static webbrowser as BTC and as when webbrowser implemented javascript as Ethereum.
A turing complete language opens up completely new possibilities, it make the technology generic and not only a feature set.

But its not only that, there is much more interesting stuff there, its not just another alt coin, its a real improvement in many ways over BTC. Of course nobody knows if all will really work out, but the alpha testnet is already deployed…



Am 07.02.2014 um 22:14 schrieb Ruben Brito <urbenz@???>:

> I think I will proceed with caution. I do trust Vitalik and Mihai. They are world-class thinkers and coders as many of you know. I just get concerned when people ask me questions and I can't quickly answer or get the answers I need.
>
> I know Mastercoin is still in development, but for some reason, that project makes a lot more sense to me. There is a slow roll out of features, but I see progress there.
>
> Thanks Manfred and Thomas for your insights.
>
> Ruben
>
> Freelance Writer for Bitcoin Magazine
> Portfolio
>
>
>
> On Fri, Feb 7, 2014 at 1:26 PM, Manfred Karrer <mk@???> wrote:
> Yes I understand your scepticism, specially after all that hype with crypo 2.0 projects which raised a lot of money even if they did not have anything working… smelled always a bit like ponzi, or at least not very responsible attitude…
>
> The main reason why I see Ethereum different is because of Vitalik Buterin.
> He is a very special and very smart person with really high reputation. I simply trust him.
> The goal of the project is pretty high (use a turing complete script language - Satoshi was not willing to take that risk) and I would not trust other random devs to get that really going.
>
> But best is for sure to read as much of the information out there (and dont get disturbed by bitcointalk/reddit noise).
> To invest in such projects is for sure high risk, but the project itself has so much other interesting potentials, that talking too much about the IPO/investment is kind of boring. People who want to invest need to inform themself well.
> Others should see it as a project which could cause a lot of change.
> Specially in the political and social sense it could bring us a new culture of decentralisation (decentralized, dropbox, facebook, liquid democracy, voting systems, reputation systems, DAO, ….).
> Ethereum will not be used as money in the first place but rather serves as the operating system where apps or other crypto currencies/financial products will be executed.
>
> br,
> manfred
>
>
> Am 07.02.2014 um 18:59 schrieb Thomas Hartman <thomas@???>:
>
> > It's almost impossible to know what's going on behind the scenes.
> >
> > My recommendation for ethereum is read the whitepaper and the
> > bitcointalk threads, try to get some understanding of the technology
> > involved, and decide if a) it will be used b) do altcoin investors
> > THINK it could be used, meaning it jumps at the ipo.
> >
> > Frankly all the bitcoin 2.0 stuff (distributed exchange) is highly
> > speculative. There are something like 5 well funded projects pursuing
> > this, including ripple, and in my mind they could all fail. If one
> > succeeds though, the coin backing it will appreciate hugely. IF.
> >
> > So, try to understand the technology, and then if you are semi
> > convinced (because you will never be more than semi) invest
> > conservatively. Cynicism is bad for software development, but it's
> > good for investing, especially investing in something as speculative
> > as bitcoin 2.0/ethereum/whatevercoin.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Fri, Feb 7, 2014 at 9:01 AM, Ruben Brito <urbenz@???> wrote:
> >> I have a question about Ethereum. I love the project, but I don't know
> >> enough about it.
> >>
> >> 1) Who is on the board for Ethereum? Someone has told me there is a former
> >> Goldman Sachs employee on there, but I didn't see a board listed on the
> >> website as of a week or two ago. I did hear Goldman and Sachs referenced in
> >> the video.
> >>
> >> 2) How much ether is premined? I know it's nowhere near 50%, and when I
> >> asked Vitalik he said some was premined, but didn't give a percentage.
> >>
> >> Ruben
> >>
> >> Freelance Writer for Bitcoin Magazine
> >> Portfolio
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Fri, Feb 7, 2014 at 10:27 AM, Manfred Karrer <mk@???> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Ah great to hear that! 16.2. sounds good, will pass by with 2 friends
> >>> probably.
> >>> Cu then,
> >>> Manfred
> >>>
> >>> Am 07.02.2014 um 16:10 schrieb Amir Taaki <genjix@???>:
> >>>
> >>>> Yes we're here working now. Feel free to drop in anytime. We have a guy
> >>>> working on a Bitcoin hardware project visiting us on Sunday, and the
> >>>> local BTC community visiting on 16th.
> >>>>
> >>>> On 07/02/14 14:59, Manfred Karrer wrote:
> >>>>> Hi guys,
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I live in Barcelona and would love to get a Ethereum Meetup organized
> >>>>> here.
> >>>>> Does anyone has some contacts to other Ethereum or BTC people in
> >>>>> Barcelona or around BCN?
> >>>>> I know there was a strong hub in Calafou last year, but I dont know if
> >>>>> there are still Bitcoiners over there.
> >>>>> Any help is highly appreciated.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Thanks,
> >>>>> Manfred
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
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> >>>>>
> >>>>
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> >>>
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> >>
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