The timing aspect is an important part of PoW, but it's not the entire purpose. The Bitcoin whitepaper itself goes on to say, "The proof-of-work also solves the

The timing aspect is an important part of PoW, but it's not the entire purpose. The Bitcoin whitepaper itself goes on to say, "The proof-of-work also solves the problem of determining representation in majority decision making." That is, PoW also solves the problem of deciding which consensus rules to enforce, not just when.