[Yetino]

The first half of your argument makes sense.

Justifying the use of proof-of-work appears to be a fallacy of relevance though

[danuker]

Proof-of-work was created precisely to prevent a Sybil attack, but while allowing an open network (i.e. not having to buy the token from the creators).

You need a form of scarcity to prevent a Sybil attack. Solved cryptographic puzzles of an adjustable difficulty is one such form of scarcity.

Does this address your concern about relevance?

[bsedlm]

I consider the energy expense exactly the reason (and the cost) of the decentralized trust afforded by PoW.

How is it irrelevant?

[idorosen]

Proof of work, it’s inefficiency, or it’s security implications on transactions more generally are not relevant to your comments on the vulnerability of their coin faucet or the veracity of their claims.