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I'm sure you won't be surprised to learn that the people arguing on the internet, both sides, are spreading misinformation.

For me I was back and forth on the issue until I made the outside connection to information theory. Information theory is the study of encoding data. That means everything from 1s and 0s on a drive to human language. Claude Shannon is the big name if you want to do a little digging, but it is too large a field to expect to master all of it.

Encryption relies on information theory. Data transmission and storage as well. Language evolved before the concept was invented but basically everything electronic was developed with information theory in mind.

A simple concept is that man, 1 syllable, is the word for man and oxyacetalene, 6 syllables, is the word for oxyacetalene because of the relative frequency that we use those words. Language would be quite cumbersome if you switched their meanings.

Steganography is a great example of an application of information theory that proves any attempt to filter data sharing is guaranteed to fail.

Comte de Sats Germain 4mo ago 💬 2

I like that way of thinking of words.

Isn't the point of filters just to make spam more difficult? I don't think anyone has the idea that they'll stop it forever. A filter that works now won't work in the future, so new filters will be required, and that rolls on forever. The point is to not just throw open the gates and give up.

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Discussion

Bill Cypher 4mo ago

Every new filter adds complexity and risk of unintended consequences that has to be maintained forever.

You can fight against people you don't like using bitcoin in a way you don't like if you choose to spend your time frustrated on a guaranteed failure.

Or, you can remember that one of the main points from the beginning is that people can't be stopped from using bitcoin. Saves a ton of time and frustration and you haven't helped turn Bitcoin into a CBDC.

Comte de Sats Germain 4mo ago

The same could be said the other way - 100kb ostensibly so more complex things can be built (like what?) opens the door to a lot of unintended consequences, and IMO directly facilitates turning btc into a cbdc.

Bill Cypher 4mo ago

I'm more comfortable with the unintended consequences of freedom than the unintended consequences of more rules.