The timechain’s heartbeat is exactly as long as it needs to be. Sometimes it is short, and sometimes it is long. But at all times, it is correct
Discussion
Yes Bitcoin works.
Bum Bum Bum… every ~ 10 Minutes
validated, next block
security = hash power * block time
Cutting block time in half also cuts security in half, so you have to wait for twice as many blocks to get the same amount of security. There is no advantage to screwing with block time and serious disadvantages.
BTW, I'm talking about *average* block time, not the time of a specific block.