melvincarvalho on Nostr: Main reason to run a node is to keep the network decentralized. For the first 20 ...
Main reason to run a node is to keep the network decentralized.
For the first 20 years that is to ensure a relatively fair emission -- which 99.9% of other coins dont have. This makes bitcoin open rather than proprietary.
The second reason is to keep the network secure. Dev in bitcoin is very good, but it is not bullet-proof and had to be fought for. There have been multiple civil wars already, won by the users. The power of a UASF can be used for good or for bad. I believe alby users will be a force for good, because bumi has always defended users and bitcoin.
We will face another group that tries to for bitcoin. Either a soft fork (OP_CODEs) a hostile miner fork (drivechainers) or a hard fork. Some forks are good (e.g. consensus cleanup), some are bad (e.g. drivechains). All forks are bad because they risk a chain split. And a chain split could be terminal to both splits, and damage investors that put their trust in bitcoin. We will need to fight and win 1-2 more battles like this before bitcoin becomes a long-term asset, which I think everyone wants. Alby hub and its culture may be what tips the balance.
The other stuff including lightning is a "nice to have", but more for hobbyists right now. Glad it's getting easier over time, tho.
For the first 20 years that is to ensure a relatively fair emission -- which 99.9% of other coins dont have. This makes bitcoin open rather than proprietary.
The second reason is to keep the network secure. Dev in bitcoin is very good, but it is not bullet-proof and had to be fought for. There have been multiple civil wars already, won by the users. The power of a UASF can be used for good or for bad. I believe alby users will be a force for good, because bumi has always defended users and bitcoin.
We will face another group that tries to for bitcoin. Either a soft fork (OP_CODEs) a hostile miner fork (drivechainers) or a hard fork. Some forks are good (e.g. consensus cleanup), some are bad (e.g. drivechains). All forks are bad because they risk a chain split. And a chain split could be terminal to both splits, and damage investors that put their trust in bitcoin. We will need to fight and win 1-2 more battles like this before bitcoin becomes a long-term asset, which I think everyone wants. Alby hub and its culture may be what tips the balance.
The other stuff including lightning is a "nice to have", but more for hobbyists right now. Glad it's getting easier over time, tho.