this post was submitted on 18 Aug 2023
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That's because it doesn't, it wasn't meant to. Crypto is not meant to be THE all-in-one solution that solves all of our problems. It solves a tiny subset of our problems, namely, how do we share a database without trusting each other. Other questions such as the enforcement of contracts is outside the scope of blockchain technology as it should be.
Nice, agree, though I'm of the opinion that the transition time will be significant as culture adapts, and until then, blockchain could help, especially between groups.
This depends on the specific chain/coin. As I understand Eth just made or is in the midst of a change that makes energy use hardly a concern. It's not like the dollar doesn't take any energy. Think about all the bank computer DBs etc in massive global datacenters, branch offices, and the people that need to manage them, etc.
Blockchain is a tool, nearly any tool can be used for cool things or shitty things. A database is fundamental type tool, and one that can run without need to trust others you don't know seems like it could be useful too. I'm anarchist but not under the impression that within my lifetime I would be able to trust someone on the other side of the world to not mess with a DB for profit (remember the transition time will be full of people who grew up in an exploitative world). I'm pretty sure the long-term anarchist future is like you said, federation, decentralization, etc. Within my group of 500 or so, sure, no need to track anything. Between groups, there may be some need. And enforcement would be along the lines of deciding not to work with those who demonstrate maliciousness.
btw, thanks for the civil intelligent conversation!
Are you familiar with Beau of the Fifth Column? He speaks of international relations as akin to "a poker game where everyone is cheating". Trade agreements work by relying on each other and I agree there is some level of trust but I'm pretty sure they still use documentation (blockchain is a form of trustless documentation), there are still contracts and threats of force. Between nations you arguably have anarchism as there is no higher power (unless you consider the EU/NATO etc, but that's more like a group of anarcho-bullies).
Not sure I understand the difference between tech and tools. I don't really think that ANY tool can be used for good or ill. I think that is true of most tools, but I see capitalism as a tool, but it's one that's only useful to a certain type of person and only useful to take advantage of others. I can see how you could see the blockchain the same way, especially based on it's historical use so far. But I don't think it's inherent in the blockchain tool like with capitalism. Blockchain to me is like money or any other tracking technology like a spreadsheet. Not things I want to see in my anarchist utopia (as money in any form facilitates resource hoarding) but things I see useful and 100% inherently evil for the time being.
Interesting. I have an uncommon or unpopular opinion here. I think that if real and lasting anarchism is ever gonna happen, it's going to have to happen globally simultaneously to some degree (and I think it's in-progress now). Global powers will have to all be degrading. I just don't see major countries allowing a significant anarchist region to exist, especially one like the U.S. that has nuclear weapons and a massive military. The remnants of NATO aren't going to just tolerate what to them are a bunch of yahoos with the world's best weapons. Also, I think anarchism only really makes sense globally. If any state, especially any capitalist state remains, they will destroy the world and pull us down with them.
Exactly, I see world trade as reduced, regularly eating a fruit that's ripe on the other side of the world just doesn't seem sustainable.
Been wanting to read this one, still on The Dawn Of Everything.
I like that, I'm particularly interested in how to prepare materially and culturally in an attempt to minimize the collateral damage.
Great talking to you comrade, you're seem a wise one.