_To solve this, we proposed a peer-to-peer network using proof-of-work to record a public history of transactions that quickly becomes computationally impractical for an attacker to change if honest nodes control a majority of CPU power._
You will note that I am very specific in the
Whitepaper. In the sentence above,
I have stated that
a public history of transactions is created that is computationally impractical for an attacker to change. This is an important aspect that people overlook. I have not stated that
bitcoin cannot be changed. If the
honest nodes are acting to enforce the system, they can always seek to make the necessary alterations that they are required to do.
Miners acting within the law can change the system. Those changes will be recorded. This leaves an audit trail available for all people to inspect and act on if necessary.
It is not impractical for the honest nodes to seek to change the public history while leaving a record of the change. Honest nodes will act to stop people who have been found to be money launderers, drug dealers, dealers and illicit material including stolen art or property or child porn.
When you read that comment in the conclusion to the
Whitepaper what you need to consider is the nature of both the statement and its alternative. I have clearly stated that it is computationally impractical for an attacker to seek to change the bitcoin network. To do this they will
leave evidence and
come under the law.What is missed in this statement is that I have not said at any point that it is impractical for an honest node working in conjunction with the other nodes to make a change to the bitcoin blockchain or code. By nature,
miners are able to vote on the implementation of changes. If they seek to vote to act against the law they will face the consequences the law and this will include confiscation and civil loss.
Bitcoin is not a cryptographic solution, it is not the desired anti-government thing that was wished for by cyberpunks,
it is the product of my mind and I believe in law.
CSW
Sep 26, 2019
https://metanet-icu.slack.com/archives/C5131HKFX/p1569516609039600?thread_ts=1569516387.039500&cid=C5131HKFX