Does Blockchain Have an Achilles Heel? Nodes, On - How Decentralized is Blockchain Pt. 2

in steem •  7 years ago  (edited)

Ah, the internet!

The wild west of the 21st century. We knew we could get away with a network to be infallible on a network that couldn't be shut down.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_censorship_and_surveillance_by_country

...but Were we wrong?
Let's dive deeper, into the belly of the beast. We talked a bit about how crypto tokens buy in is controlled being atop a fiat network as is. A fatal flaw (in my view)
Read more on that here. This post is like cheese to the wine of that one. This is a fluid story. But all parts independently are still alright :)
https://steemit.com/steem/@followbtcnews/is-blockchain-truly-decentralized

So that was on supply/tokens, but- what about the network itself?
At a quick glance, we'd think hey! Blockchains decentralized, it's based upon a decentralized network (the internet) and we're going to take over the worlds economy hoo-ra!

But wait, there's more!

Let's observe it's weak points, it's joints. Ever watch star wars? The AT4s went down by locking up the joints.

We've already felt the joints being clogged by mass spamming of transactions during the #Bitcoincash craze. What we could do about this is temporarily increase block size until a bigger issue is found BUT I feel that's against the controlled BTC teams intentions.

More on that in previous post, and here.. (which is worse than I previously imagined, yay banks!)
https://steemit.com/bitcoin/@adambalm/the-truth-about-who-is-behind-blockstream-and-segwit-as-the-saying-goes-follow-the-money

While what we can do about this is limited, other than temporarily increase the block sizes until a more effective method is found- there lies a deeper issue, that could be ALL of blockchains Achilles heel.

We depend on #nodes , and they are mathematically secure. Theoretically. But, that theory is based upon the assumption that it's foundation, is also secure.

The #internet.

Who here believes the #government has our best interest in mind?

But, it's okay! #China 's on board with #crypto, and #USA 's internets free! That secures the state of crypto right?

Uh...
China on BTC mining (two sources)
https://gizmodo.com/chinas-crackdown-on-crypto-mining-threatens-bitcoins-fu-1821820017
https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-miners-could-face-power-restrictions-in-china

USA recent legislation
https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/14/16776154/fcc-net-neutrality-vote-results-rules-repealed

This seems small. But why now? Is it so that ISPs can throttle those on the blockchain networks? With fees this high, how much would that cost?

Another question.. Is this how they're going to tax miners? Theoretically, with the repeal of this law, they COULD tax node runners an unsustainable amount, and choke them out. By merely monitoring their connections and data they send. (which, they do, and would)

I'm not saying this as a way to scare anyone. I'm saying this to show WE ARE NOT in the clear. You want a decentralized network?
Good.
You should.

But, not like this. We need to as a community seriously take these things into close consideration.

Oh, also.. Did I forget to mention, not only is the internet a resource nodes run on but also an OBSCENE amount of government controlled electricity. That seems fine, but it makes us a huge heatmap. Hard to cloak. If law makers so desired, they would, and could choke out miners through premium prices on energy for miners.

Now, you could look at all this and say well then that'd just make bitcoin more valuable! Taxes and fees would be added to the price, sounds great!

That's if the governments intention is to KEEP blockchain around. Some tough entry fees to the blockchain, or choking out the nodes, would definitely impact the end user and the average Joe that are needed for mass adoption. Remember, a currency is only worth peoples BELIEF in it, and how many places it can be used.

This is not defeatist. This is showing we are not in the clear. We have not won. YET!

Do you think the government would allow it to go on this long without a red button up their sleeve?

Remember, every day we give power to each chain with our mining, money, and the power of our words/sharing. Talk about what you believe in. And stand up for what you don't.
*glaring at you blockstream*

Next post on in depth analysis on blockstream? Or secondary methods banks will try to take over crypto? Vote by upvoting one of the according comments below!



I'm Jeff, and I'm @followbtcnews.
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Completely ignoring the content of your article I am just happy you actually used the Boromir meme correctly by starting it with, "One does not simply..."

The amount of heathens out there who just put any old text with that meme is appalling. Kudos to you sir

If I were tasked with disrupting BTC, as I work for a large ISP I would start by creating ACLs at interconnection points blocking MAC add ranges from specific vendors(say, Bitmaintech) and destroy hashrate.

I agree with the jist of what you are saying, but look at history and you will see the future. It will be a continuous game of cat and mouse. This between the user and the establishment. Always trying to out do and adapt, then repeat again and again.

The gov might be trying to do what they did to the inventor TEsla but now millions of people are involved so they're creating bottlenecks. I think bitcoin mining is a good way to fund transition to solar power

the question is how do we stop the government and banks getting into steemit? are we at the point that we should be like coinbase, and make people prove their identity so that the platform isnt invaded and hijacked internally? say a two week waiting period that notes jeff sessions wants to join steemit and just bans the fk outta him?

or is it more that we need to work at a local level, promoting people who will counter things like the repeal of net neutrality? or do we simply build our own internet? our own power stations? i'm totally serious here. this is being done in some communities. community owned sustainable power stations. time to take that whale money and invest it outside of steem. find a small corner of the universe to take over thats crypto friendly.

I agree with you with what are tou saying. @followbtcnews

yes , as per few coin .
like bicoin it is clearly sated that it i s a decentralized currency.
the one who earns this is the real owner of the coin.
while in the current situation.
Rippile XRP is a centralized currency.
@qami

Next Posts Coming:

One being “ analysis on block streams control on BTC and how banks bought BTC”

Another as “how banks can take control of all crypto currency - the dangers of the lightning network”

And keep your eye out for a $$$$$ Give away we have coming ;)

So stay tuned for more..............

I'll be here to read it! amazing content, thanks.

who needs karma?

Sneaky Ninja Attack! You have been defended with a 13.50% vote... I was summoned by @followbtcnews! I have done their bidding and now I will vanish...Whoosh

You got a 9.68% upvote from @postpromoter courtesy of @followbtcnews!

I am sorry but that LoTR parody video ruined that Boromir scene for me, if you know what I mean 😁