the fear of "specialized CPUs" isn't really legit IMO

RandomX leverages CPU infrastructure to generate random *general purpose* programs. In order to make a RandomX ASIC you essentially have to build a better CPU.

How many trillions of dollars are already invested in building a better CPU? CPUs are essentially the crowning technological achievement of humans.

not saying that hardware optimization is completely impossible with enough incentive. only that its on the scale of something like putting together a moon base or Mars mission.

also

the point of making hash available via off-the-shelf hardware is so that, when adopted, there is enough *distributed hash* protecting the money that a centralized actor CANNOT execute a 51%.