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Fantastic piece. The space program analogy is particularly apt. People say crypto is a worse way to replace functions that already exist, like the space program
by ypeterholmes 4y ago
Fantastic piece. The space program analogy is particularly apt. People say crypto is a worse way to replace functions that already exist, like the space program inventing a pen, say. But the fact the pen can work in space is actually rather important. The fact that decentralized systems can't be shut down or centrally manipulated, is also rather important.
- oneoff786 4y agoWhy is it important to have a pen in space?
- Armisael16 4y agoGraphite flakes from pencils are very flammable and also conduct electricity just well enough to cause shorts.
- caterama 4y agoTo write with.
- idoh 4y agoOther people covered it, but I happen to have a Fischer Space Pen on my desk right now so I'll take a shot. You don't want a pencil because bits can break off and make a mess, so you want a pen. The story with the Space Pen is that it has a pressurized cartridge so it works in space (I can't confirm whether other types of pens don't work). Somewhat off topic, the Space Pen was researched 100% with private funds and both the US and USSR space programs bought them retail, in contrast to some of the stories floating around the internet.
- oneoff786 4y agoKind of interesting. But I guess I’m more so asking whether people need to do a lot of writing in space. I would assume no?