The Case for a Chain Split

The debate surrounding drivechains has been heating up, with proponents employing various tactics to garner support. This divisive issue echoes previous disputes in the Bitcoin community, such as the 2017 block size controversy. As such, we should consider what was then the definitive resolution: a chain split.

A significant portion of the Bitcoin community rejects drivechains, effectively blocking its implementation via a soft fork. Bitcoin's voluntary nature makes it resistant to hostile takeovers, despite claims that miners could force the change. Disagree with that last statement? Then let's put that to the test. We can resolve this posturing and propaganda by forking the code.

Here's how it would work: Code implementing drivechains would be released. Those who support the proposal can run this code. A transaction that goes against drivechain rules but adheres to pre-drivechain rules will trigger a chain split. Those running the drivechain software wouldn't be doing anything, but nodes that aren't can reject the drivechain chain by using the "invalidateblock" command. The result will be two distinct Bitcoins: one with drivechains and one without.

This approach was resolved the conflict we had in August 2017, when Bitcoin Cash split off from Bitcoin. Similarly, proponents and opponents of drivechains can either hold or sell their respective Bitcoins post-split. This would be a real-world test of control and game theory within the network.

I advocate for this split not just for potential profits, but also because it's a peaceful solution. It would let us see in real time how convicted the drivechain people are. Will drivechain miners support it if it means mining at a loss? A chain split would serve as a critical learning opportunity for the community, providing a clear answer to the ongoing debate. Ultimately, this will strengthen Bitcoin by showing the market how hard it is to change its properties.

So bring it on! Fork or shut up.

Some big media account on Twitter asked people what they think the best music album ever was, front to back.

While some albums are more iconic than others, the fascinating thing about the question is how it tends to be a sign of what era someone came of age in (i.e. which decade they grew up as a teenager), and what cultural part of that era they were more in line with. Sure, some people go back and find older iconic music and appreciate it the most, the absolute greats of the past, but the more typical outcome is that someone finds music from their coming-of-age years to be what somehow sticks out.

For me it was rock in the 2000s, and my mental answer to the question of "best album?" was Meteora by Linkin Park.

While it was a very popular album and also well-remembered, it doesn't generally go down on the ageless list of greats. In other words, it's always kind of a top two or three genre item. I could argue why other more iconic albums are better, and why they "should" be my answer. For example I could go a little bit before my time, but still close enough, and say Nirvana's Nevermind was better. That would poll better.

But basically, as a product of my time, Meteora is just the one that struck the right chords at the right time when I was a teenager. It's the one that spoke to me. I would listen to it casually, and then also listen to certain songs in it before martial arts tournaments to get myself in the combat zone. Even as my musical tastes changed over time, that's the album I listened to the most of all time, and so when I hear it in the present day, I still appreciate it a ton.

The fact that they crossed genres appealed to me a lot. Their main vocalist, Bennington, struck their melodic and emotional aspect. The other vocalist, Shinoda, was their hip-hop guy, with a rougher or more practical aspect. Mr. Hahn brought an electronic aspect, and Delson brought the rock guitar aspect. Some of their stylization was anime-aligned, and I was into anime at the time. Basically whatever vibes I might be feeling as a teenager at the time, there was something in Linkin Park that spoke to it, with Meteora being among their best and which came out at the right time when I was 15. It's like Bennington would speak to my emo aspect and help me acknowledge it, while Shinoda and the others would pump me back up, and tell me to not fuck around and get back out there, and boost my confidence. Yin and Yang.

Another reason I thought of this is that here in 2023, Linkin Park released a 20th anniversary edition of Meteora, which included a couple songs like "Lost" that didn't make it into the original. It all hits a bit harder for us fans based on the fact that the lead singer, Chester Bennington, is no longer with us. RIP.

Rug Pal awaits newbies to rug pull.

I guess it’s gonna be “basically risk free” again 😁

Let’s brrrrr some tokens out of thin air… 2017 ICO vibes…

I guess these are preps for bull market.