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> Once Bitcoin power consumption enters the common discourse, my guess is that politicians will step in and simply outlaw PoW systems. There is no real downside
by js8 5y ago
> Once Bitcoin power consumption enters the common discourse, my guess is that politicians will step in and simply outlaw PoW systems. There is no real downside for politicians.
Will we? I am not convinced. In the pandemic, many countries weren't even able to efficiently mandate masks or vaccines, despite the fact the majority supported these measures. The libertarian-anarchy minority is very loud, and will fight the right to Bitcoin tooth and nail.
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- geertj 5y ago> Will we? I am not convinced. Not everywhere, and likely not in America. In Europe it’s not as unthinkable. Climate regulations are having real impact on people’s lives, and yet there is support for them. Spun by the right politician as a ‘free’ savings of XX megatons of carbon, outlawing PoW would be an easy sell. And with a massive bloc like Europe not participating in a certain crypto will definitely reduce the global attractiveness of that crypto. I don’t have a crystal ball and of course I can’t say this will definitely happen. But I think it’s plausible. Mask regulations in the parts of Europe that I’m familiar with were largely followed.