Do you think it's a coincidence that the popularity of bullet chess is...

... closely correlated with the advent to computer engines?

Bullet chess was never very popular until about the last 10 years, and that's  roughly when computer engines became powerful enough to defeat any grandmaster.

Now, I'm not saying that bullet chess players are cheaters, but quite the _opposite_... I think they are a reaction to the realization that that live chess can only be trusted if it's played in extremely short time. So short that the cheater doesn't have the time to ask his computer for an advice.

Probably has more to do with people not having the attention span to play longer time controls 

Yes, it's a coincidence. Of course, there is no meaning inherent in a coincidence...

I could give a long rant about how correlation doesn't always mean causation, but I'll relent.

This is my particular reason why I like it.

I would give a second reason ........ "probably due to the greater chances of winning against high rated opponent who commits errors and procrastinates over their moves.

And a 3rd reason:..... probably due to the pleasure of undeservely winning by moving faster than your opponent and avoiding being mated in time.

A lot of people nowadays have really short attention spans and inherent dersires for instant gratification, thus faster chess's popularity grows.

I think you will find there has been a lot of bullet players banned for cheating.

Not really. The main reason bullet chess has risen is the Internet. On over the board game at 1 min time controls (ie. with clocks) is impossible because of the rule that you actually must touch the clock with the hand that you touched your piece with (at least in some places this rule applies) . It's easier to move fast on a computer. Plus, if you ever look on the live challenges section there's far less longer matches up to take. Ie. If all the best players are playing blitz, you've got no choice but to play blitz if you want tough opposition.

Put simply, as another person said, correlation is not equal to causation.

Correlation doesn't equal casuation... That's cute... David Hume said that about 250 years ago... But it's definitely nice that some of of you are catching up now...

I find it funny when people think bullet prevents cheaters.  Only the most low tech cheaters would open a program in another window and relay the moves manually.

Of course those that gravitate toward bullet may or may not know that.  I agree with a post above that says technology has made bullet chess easier such as auto hitting the clock, auto flag, enforcing legal moves, and you can't knock over the pieces.

To say "roughly when computer engines became powerful enough to defeat any grandmaste" is a bit silly too.  If you want to point out that the average chess player was fearful of engine cheats one would expect it to be around the time engines expert to master strength were widely available.

You should consider factors like availability of quality chess servers and the speed of average internet connection.  It would have been nearly impossible to play bullet chess in the early nineties online anywhere.

NO.

people are playing bullet chess because technology finally allows it.

perhaps if the technology was around back then bullet chess would be popular. 

i play bullet because  it's fast,keeps you on the edge,the adrenaline  .

yes the attention span is lower when you play long chess online because of the internet , you can do what you want without ever leaving the "table"  sort of speak.

personally, i also find it hard to believe that the majority   who play  turn-based chess don't ask for help with a move or a position , or   use another board (which to me is cheating since the main point is to use your head and your head alone to handle your calculations, but that is just my opinion)

i find bullet chess convenient and more exciting for ONLINE play .