flowctrl's comments

> PoS still doesn't exist in the real world, as far as I know.

* BitShares and Steemit both use it, and I believe the forthcoming EOS network will as well. See https://bitshares.org/technology/delegated-proof-of-stake-co...

* Ethereum has successfully tested a new hybrid PoW/PoS system and is rolling it out on the main network soon. Links in this article: https://www.coindesk.com/ethereums-big-switch-the-new-roadma...

* PoS was just an example - there are a range of consensus algorithms that are not proof of work, which was the very first one. Ripple is a "real world" blockchain that does not use proof of work: https://ripple.com/build/xrp-ledger-consensus-process/

* Here's a few other consensus algorithms: https://www.coindesk.com/short-guide-blockchain-consensus-pr...

> because if you make a single mistake in the code and lose all your money, there will be - by design - literally no one to help you.

Actually there are, by design, roll-back mechanisms that can be deployed if the majority of the network agrees to carry it out. I believe the current controversy in the Bitcoin network is partially over the removal of such a mechanism. Various other blockchains and blockchain-like networks have correction mechanisms. Also note, its not always about storing money - thats just one use.

- There are newer blockchain dApp platforms that are WAY faster than Ethereum (i.e. EOS, Quantum...)

- Proof of Work isn't the only consensus algorithm, there are ones with lower computational costs, such as Proof of Stake

- See IPFS, and there are other distributed storage solutions

- One can add new ledger entries that refer to previous ones, to correct them

Aside from transparency (and note that privacy is also an option on some blockchains), the main benefit is that smart contracts can eliminate the need for 3rd parties, but still provide trustworthy transaction settlements. Third parties such as the Uber organization, or a bank. The tasks they perform can be provided automatically via programmable transaction handling on the blockchain (smart contracts). Another benefit of distributed software is that it is more resilient (in theory - the global architectures are still being developed), no central point of failure or high-value target for attack.

Note that the Chinese government also demanded DVDs of all transaction records at the exchanges. This means that the Chinese citizens who moved their Bitcoin off of the exchange will have to answer to the bean counters.

How could a clever Chinese citizen avoid government scrutiny of their cryptocurrency finances under these conditions? They could trade Yuan (cash) for BTC through an underground mechanism of some sort. The vast majority will already be on the record at the soon to be defunct exchanges.

Hate speech is a special category of speech, and is treated as such in the legal systems of many countries (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_speech). It has and does lead to violence toward the groups to which the hate speech is directed. The legal system in the USA fails to acknowledge this fact, and one of the consequences is racial violence.

Cloudflare, ISPs, and other companies or non-governmental entities should not be obligated to enable or allow hate speech via the services that they provide. Haters should have to bear the full cost and social consequences of propagating their message.

SEEKING WORK - REMOTE - Ruby on Rails Developer - Canada

Open to remote Ruby on Rails development work with awesome people, making software that helps to make the world a better place. Based out of the Canadian Rockies (Banff, AB -0600). I've been working with Rails for about 5 years, and have 10+ years of PHP and Sysadmin/DevOps experience. I've done mostly backend work with Rails, with a dash of CoffeeScript and Bootstrap on the front-end, but I'm keen to learn the major JS frameworks and build up my front-end skills.

* https://stackoverflow.com/story/brentkearney

* https://ca.linkedin.com/in/brentkearney

* https://github.com/brentkearney

* https://netmojo.ca

In my spare time, I'm into mountain biking, trail running, skiing, traveling, and creative/art projects.

freelancer.com is a similar, race-to-the-bottom type of system.

The press around this experiment uses misleading language that leads people like Deepak Chopra to think that we create reality through consciousness. It has nothing to do with consciousness. This article explains it:

http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/more-quantum-we...

How Hacker News Completely Crashed My Webserver