He thinks devs control Bitcoin. He sounds EXACTLY like the big blockers during the blocksize wars. Ultimately a super majority of users picking the software they want to run is what determines what Bitcoin is.
Discussion
It’s true that users control the nodes, but core devs control bitcoin core and we have no other software options right now. It’s essentially a software monopoly.
And if we being honest, we’ll admit that most users don’t really know what’s in the version they install. I just hope users stay vigilant. It seems to me that users are too trusting in this area.
It’s funny that you mentioned the blocksize wars. You do realize that the UASF was written and promoted by core devs to avoid being “fired” by the big blockers, right?
It was framed as a war between users and big commercial interests, but it was actually a war between core devs and big commercial interests. I’m glad the core devs won. They were correct. But we can’t fool ourselves and say that they didn’t wield power and it was all users. Nobody knows how many users were ready to support the UASF because the miners capitulated before the deadline.
The blocksize wars are framed as a big win by users but you can see that’s really not the case. All we know is that miners do not control the network. We don’t know if the core devs do because this has never been tested.
Youre exactly right about user not knowing what's in the version they run, but this can be easily remedied.
There needs to be a resource explaining the difference in versions written for the lay user.
This alone won't hold the line though. We need more miners. If #Bitcoin is freedom money, then a miner is the equivalent of an AK-47.
Totally agree. We need to decentralize all the parts.
In addition to explaining what in the software, we need alternatives that people can install if they don’t like what’s in it.
The problem is that software must be constantly updated to make sure it runs on the latest operating systems. Right now there is bitcoin core software and only core.
As a user you’ll be forced to upgrade eventually to core’s version. You don’t have another alternative. You can delay for a while, but eventually you’ll be forced to upgrade.
Drop into Claude and you get a pretty good explanation that’s pretty straightforward
Claude?
One of the big LLMs. Really any are quite good at code analysis. Can use whichever you prefer. nostr:npub17304velluajf6lylvjynpj2f3ndg396w063gj2gef5qk0nwtcyjqfj9yky is a great based option but I don’t think they have Claude, however for code analysis any model should be good enough. It’s a super power to summarize and analyze version control
Core devs do not control core. Everyone can see it, open PRs, review changes, and there are no automatic updates. They only control one GitHub repository. They cannot make anyone do anything.
Riiiiiight… they don’t control it, they just control what goes it it. The one GitHub repository, because it’s the only one that exists. It’s our only choice, because they have a monopoly.
Maybe you don’t run a node? because if you did, you would know that you must install new versions to keep up with operating system updates and bug fixes.
So yes, they can make people upgrade. Unless you’re telling me that people will stop upgrading their computers.
You should stop parroting simplistic messages that you were told and dig into the details. Bitcoiners need critical thinking skills. Trust BUT VERIFY. We’re talking about the system that protects the worlds savings and our hope for the future.
Btw, another example why you are forced to upgrade. (Unless you want to run a version with known vulnerabilities.)
The core devs are now pushing everyone to upgrade to 25 so they can disclose the vulnerabilities.