From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 Return-Path: Received: from smtp1.linuxfoundation.org (smtp1.linux-foundation.org [172.17.192.35]) by mail.linuxfoundation.org (Postfix) with ESMTPS id F0287489 for ; Wed, 22 Jul 2015 23:42:12 +0000 (UTC) X-Greylist: whitelisted by SQLgrey-1.7.6 Received: from mail-wi0-f171.google.com (mail-wi0-f171.google.com [209.85.212.171]) by smtp1.linuxfoundation.org (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 4264D213 for ; Wed, 22 Jul 2015 23:42:12 +0000 (UTC) Received: by wibud3 with SMTP id ud3so1022370wib.1 for ; Wed, 22 Jul 2015 16:42:11 -0700 (PDT) X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=1e100.net; s=20130820; h=x-gm-message-state:mime-version:in-reply-to:references:date :message-id:subject:from:to:cc:content-type; bh=WPFsGm+G+svGAuJuljwgSJN6uvhTxP6KREEJTXSABJs=; b=CLd8oJgB/qhDplH1wGfz2RMuwo4hiwbGKNWX37TS3Qfdj94KKvxDR+nyNWKrDkQ3KU jz3AKhRNFirzHJb6iwPch9RftbppebIJ2j44yiqukdJDHmGdqIGcod+ifM+hCUOEOvHf X2BX2vDr56I5ost/EZSRPjFSdDrihYYitVXCKdYPhSsvFJ50fKYYNyk+lA0xpqU4Flj2 UYUQHd1qXdLr7F+mFak4m6XoVbbEEb1s18/ElKRjB+sDyabDLLCbsjVe1WtmIvg/vLaT BbOlPgrUr7Y/XJo3I9newbLUvQyEHw2Jj80W/RrMg6/ZPuvgAS7iTNfRaZQQ9ugpLTLI gGcw== X-Gm-Message-State: ALoCoQkbbsAH9f/FmMihliyeLpfLEp/G099NDfVD2EiuxTtr7UpXEuDveTO9XUEzI9NvqPpY5sQB MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Received: by 10.194.63.42 with SMTP id d10mr10706956wjs.92.1437608530905; Wed, 22 Jul 2015 16:42:10 -0700 (PDT) Received: by 10.194.168.167 with HTTP; Wed, 22 Jul 2015 16:42:10 -0700 (PDT) In-Reply-To: References: Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2015 19:42:10 -0400 Message-ID: From: Cory Fields To: Raystonn Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 X-Spam-Status: No, score=-2.6 required=5.0 tests=BAYES_00,RCVD_IN_DNSWL_LOW autolearn=ham version=3.3.1 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.3.1 (2010-03-16) on smtp1.linux-foundation.org Cc: bitcoin-dev@lists.linuxfoundation.org Subject: Re: [bitcoin-dev] Bitcoin Core and hard forks X-BeenThere: bitcoin-dev@lists.linuxfoundation.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.12 Precedence: list List-Id: Bitcoin Development Discussion List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2015 23:42:13 -0000 I'm not sure why Bitcoin Core and the rules and policies that it enforces are being conflated in this thread. There's nothing stopping us from adding the ability for the user to decide what their consensus parameters should be at runtime. In fact, that's already in use: ./bitcoind -testnet. As mentioned in another thread, the chain params could even come from a config file that the user could edit without touching the code. I realize that it'd be opening Pandora's Box, and likely met with very loud and reasonable arguments about the obvious terrible implications, but it's at least an alternative to the current status quo of Core's conflation with the consensus rules. The idea really is no different than suggesting that someone fork the codebase and implement their own changes, it just cuts out most of the work required. With that in place, consensus changes would be more about lobbying and coalitions, and less about pull requests. Cory On Wed, Jul 22, 2015 at 6:40 PM, Raystonn via bitcoin-dev wrote: >> If the developers fail to reflect user consensus, the network will let us >> know. > > This is true with the caveat that there must be more than one option present > for the network to show it's preference. If developers discourage anything > that forks from the rules enforced by Bitcoin Core, they harm the network's > ability to inform us of a failure to reflect user consensus. > > On 22 Jul 2015 3:31 pm, Jeff Garzik via bitcoin-dev > wrote: > > I wouldn't go quite that far. The reality is somewhere in the middle, as > Bryan Cheng noted in this thread: > > Quoting BC, >> Upgrading to a version of Bitcoin Core that is incompatible with your >> ideals is in no way a forced choice, as you have stated in your email; >> forks, alternative clients, or staying on an older version are all valid >> choices. If the majority of the network chooses not to endorse a specific >> change, then the majority of the network will continue to operate just fine >> without it, and properly structured consensus rules will pull the minority >> along as well. > > The developers propose a new version, by publishing a new release. The > individual network nodes choose to accept or reject that. > > So I respectfully disagree with "core devs don't control the network" and > "core devs control the network" both. > > There are checks-and-balances that make the system work. Consensus is most > strongly measured by user actions after software release. If the developers > fail to reflect user consensus, the network will let us know. > > > > > > > > > > > > On Wed, Jul 22, 2015 at 2:43 PM, Mike Hearn via bitcoin-dev > wrote: > > Hi Pieter, > > I think a core area of disagreement is this: > > Bitcoin Core is not running the Bitcoin economy, and its developers have no > authority to set its rules. > > In fact Bitcoin Core is running the Bitcoin economy, and its developers do > have the authority to set its rules. This is enforced by the reality of > ~100% market share and limited github commit access. > > You may not like this situation, but it is what it is. By refusing to make a > release with different rules, people who disagree are faced with only two > options: > > 1. Swallow it even if they hate it > 2. Fork the project and fork the block chain with it (XT) > > There are no alternatives. People who object to (2) are inherently > suggesting (1) is the only acceptable path, which not surprisingly, makes a > lot of people very angry. > > _______________________________________________ > bitcoin-dev mailing list > bitcoin-dev@lists.linuxfoundation.org > https://lists.linuxfoundation.org/mailman/listinfo/bitcoin-dev > > > > _______________________________________________ > bitcoin-dev mailing list > bitcoin-dev@lists.linuxfoundation.org > https://lists.linuxfoundation.org/mailman/listinfo/bitcoin-dev >