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> No one here is saying we should forbid/outlaw/block bitcoin because of its CO2 emissions. I am. I'll make that case. Proof-of-work cryptocurrency should be

> No one here is saying we should forbid/outlaw/block bitcoin because of its CO2 emissions. I am. I'll make that case. Proof-of-work cryptocurrency should be banned for the same reason truck drivers idling diesel engines in cities should be banned: It harms the environment and produces nothing useful for society. If these crypocurrency developers are such geniuses, and cryptocurrency is really solving a critical problem, then banning PoW will spur innovation in alternative mechanisms like proof-of-stake or proof-of-luck [0] to meet those use cases with far less ecological devastation. [0] https://eprint.iacr.org/2017/249.pdf https://eprint.iacr.org/2017/249.pdf

hedora 7y ago
You’re being a bit unfair. Diesel trucks solve a problem. They have much lower CO2 emissions than gas trucks of the same size would. I also think that proof of work crypto currency needs to be eliminated, at least until the economy is carbon negative and everyone has food, shelter, etc. Banning diesel? That probably should never happen, because niche use cases will need it until it isn’t a global problem anymore. For the same reason, it doesn’t make sense to ban coal fired steam engines. (99% of current use cases should go electric, to be clear).
- ForHackernews 7y ago
  No, no, you misunderstand me: I mean just idling not moving. Sitting and running your diesel engine when not going anywhere is the analogy to bitcoin. A number of cities have prohibited or are considering prohibiting sitting in your truck or bus with the engine running when you aren't planning to drive anywhere. https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/prob_solutions/idling_prohibition.html https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/prob_... https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/11/ban-cars-from-idling-near-schools-say-uk-public-health-chiefs https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/11/ban-cars...

hedora 7y ago

You’re being a bit unfair. Diesel trucks solve a problem. They have much lower CO2 emissions than gas trucks of the same size would. I also think that proof of work crypto currency needs to be eliminated, at least until the economy is carbon negative and everyone has food, shelter, etc. Banning diesel? That probably should never happen, because niche use cases will need it until it isn’t a global problem anymore. For the same reason, it doesn’t make sense to ban coal fired steam engines. (99% of current use cases should go electric, to be clear).

ForHackernews 7y ago
No, no, you misunderstand me: I mean just idling not moving. Sitting and running your diesel engine when not going anywhere is the analogy to bitcoin. A number of cities have prohibited or are considering prohibiting sitting in your truck or bus with the engine running when you aren't planning to drive anywhere. https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/prob_solutions/idling_prohibition.html https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/prob_... https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/11/ban-cars-from-idling-near-schools-say-uk-public-health-chiefs https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/11/ban-cars...