The article immediately has to caveat the difference between "public" and "private" blockchain. This seems to be the #1 question in any blockchain discussion. W

The article immediately has to caveat the difference between "public" and "private" blockchain. This seems to be the #1 question in any blockchain discussion. What exactly is "blockchain"? Merkle trees, super useful (e.g. git). Distributed ledger, super useful (e.g. developers' local copies of kernel source). Proof of work using GTX 1080s plugged into hydroelectric power-plants, waste of resources. If "blockchain" means only "public, distributed ledger powered by proof-of-work" then I don't think "blockchain" has a future. But if "blockchain" means any of the above without proof-of-work, then blockchain is already the #1 mechanism for software development, has a myriad of uses and is a total no-brainer.