4 ms·

Blockchain, though no one on hn really understands it. :D

by wellboy 8y ago

xenator 8y ago
Why do you think so? The math behind blockchain is pretty easy and well explained.
- wellboy 8y ago
  Math is a very small part in what is so good about the blockchain. people don't understand the significance of decentralization.
SuddsMcDuff 8y ago
It's an unfortunate characteristic of many in the cryptocurrency community, that they think anyone who doesn't support crypto simply doesn't understand it. And by extension, as soon as they do understand it they will become supporters. No. There are those who do understand blockchain and still don't support it. A great example is professor Jorge Stolfi. He is one of the more prominent detractors, and yet he routinely displays a very thorough understanding of the technology.
- DoctorOetker 8y ago
  I tried looking up the arguments of Jorge Stolfi, however my Spanish is insufficient. I don't claim to contradict that he is against the concept of cryptocurrencies or blockchain in general, but I fail to find evidence that he is against the technology in general. I do find evidence he is opposed to Bitcoin in specific, or at least warns against it. Could you point me to English writings where he argues against blockchain/cryptocurrency in general?
  - laken 8y ago
    Perhaps the reason why your Spanish was insufficient for his writings is that his writings are in Portuguese ;) Here's his primary English writing on Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in general (not necessarily blockchain), sent to the SEC: https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-batsbzx-2016-30/batsbzx201630-2.htm https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-batsbzx-2016-30/batsbzx20163...
    - DoctorOetker 8y ago
      Thanks for pointing out it's Portugese! This critique of Bitcoin is quite short, and seems directed at Bitcoin in particular, in no way do I conclude that he is against the concepts of blockchain (say non-currency), or perhaps even cryptocurrencies that do not take on some of the Ponzi aspects. After reading this I can perfectly imagine (but do not claim so) that he might support certain other forms of blockchains and/or cryptocurrency...
      - Tesl 8y ago
        This is his reddit account: https://www.reddit.com/user/jstolfi https://www.reddit.com/user/jstolfi He primarily posts in buttcoin, a sub that exists to mock bitcoiners. It's pretty fair to say he thinks all coins are crap, not just bitcoin. Also, please include me in the "Understands cryptocurrencies and yet doesn't support it" bucket please :)
- maccio92 8y ago
  It's an unfortunate characteristic of many that conflate cryptocurrency and blockchain as one and the same inseparable idea. Cryptocurrency is only one application of one type of blockchain.
- wellboy 8y ago
  The thing is, 99% of readers here think bitcoin is shit, because of the go to arfuments, that bitcoin is too slow and only used by criminal and by extension, they don't like the blockchain either even though the weaknesses of Bitcoin have already been solved by many blockchains. But they don't know that, so they keep bashing the blockchain without having any knowledge of other good platforms.

Blockchain, though no one on hn really understands it. :D

xenator 8y ago

Why do you think so? The math behind blockchain is pretty easy and well explained.

wellboy 8y ago
Math is a very small part in what is so good about the blockchain. people don't understand the significance of decentralization.

SuddsMcDuff 8y ago

It's an unfortunate characteristic of many in the cryptocurrency community, that they think anyone who doesn't support crypto simply doesn't understand it. And by extension, as soon as they do understand it they will become supporters. No. There are those who do understand blockchain and still don't support it. A great example is professor Jorge Stolfi. He is one of the more prominent detractors, and yet he routinely displays a very thorough understanding of the technology.

DoctorOetker 8y ago
I tried looking up the arguments of Jorge Stolfi, however my Spanish is insufficient. I don't claim to contradict that he is against the concept of cryptocurrencies or blockchain in general, but I fail to find evidence that he is against the technology in general. I do find evidence he is opposed to Bitcoin in specific, or at least warns against it. Could you point me to English writings where he argues against blockchain/cryptocurrency in general?
- laken 8y ago
  Perhaps the reason why your Spanish was insufficient for his writings is that his writings are in Portuguese ;) Here's his primary English writing on Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in general (not necessarily blockchain), sent to the SEC: https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-batsbzx-2016-30/batsbzx201630-2.htm https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-batsbzx-2016-30/batsbzx20163...
  - DoctorOetker 8y ago
    Thanks for pointing out it's Portugese! This critique of Bitcoin is quite short, and seems directed at Bitcoin in particular, in no way do I conclude that he is against the concepts of blockchain (say non-currency), or perhaps even cryptocurrencies that do not take on some of the Ponzi aspects. After reading this I can perfectly imagine (but do not claim so) that he might support certain other forms of blockchains and/or cryptocurrency...
    - Tesl 8y ago
      This is his reddit account: https://www.reddit.com/user/jstolfi https://www.reddit.com/user/jstolfi He primarily posts in buttcoin, a sub that exists to mock bitcoiners. It's pretty fair to say he thinks all coins are crap, not just bitcoin. Also, please include me in the "Understands cryptocurrencies and yet doesn't support it" bucket please :)
maccio92 8y ago
It's an unfortunate characteristic of many that conflate cryptocurrency and blockchain as one and the same inseparable idea. Cryptocurrency is only one application of one type of blockchain.
wellboy 8y ago
The thing is, 99% of readers here think bitcoin is shit, because of the go to arfuments, that bitcoin is too slow and only used by criminal and by extension, they don't like the blockchain either even though the weaknesses of Bitcoin have already been solved by many blockchains. But they don't know that, so they keep bashing the blockchain without having any knowledge of other good platforms.