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How much energy would be the right amount for Ethereum to use?

• jacobedawson 6y ago
  Wouldn't the correct answer always be "no more than necessary / technically feasible"?
  • wskinner 6y ago
    That standard is not applied to many things. There are many cases where it makes sense to use a technology that uses more energy than technically feasible because it offers other benefits. For example, using java instead of assembly.
  • intotheabyss 6y ago
    This is actually a core principle in Ethereums community. It's called minimum viable issuance. Ethereum 2.0 is specifically designed with this principle in mind. No one wants to overpay or underpay for security, so market forces decide what level of issuance and risk is acceptable.
• est31 6y ago
  The energy it uses right now for full nodes and all the other infrastructure minus the energy it uses for the proof of work. If the proof of work is replaced by another proof mechanism, like proof of stake, it could be applauded.
  • wskinner 6y ago
    Why is that the right amount? Does proof of work have no value at all?
    • wmf 6y ago
      If PoW provides the same security level as PoS then the marginal value of PoW is indeed zero (or negative due to the energy waste).
      • wskinner 6y ago
        Very true. Is it the case that PoW provides the same security value as PoS?