Some arguments could be:
  • There are multiple implementations in different programming languages
  • You can run the node on your phone ... and there's more LN nodes
  • You can make transactions with your peer without anyone ever knowing about it
There are multiple implementations in different programming languages
I don't think multiple implementations impact centralization. There are dozens of reddit clients. Is reddit decentralized?
You can run the node on your phone ... and there's more LN nodes
Isn't that a custodial lightning wallet and not a node? Essentially using someone else's lightning node.
You can make transactions with your peer without anyone ever knowing about it
This is only true if you have a direct channel with them. Otherwise, all you have is plausible deniability. Besides, privacy is not decentralization. Using cash is also private, but that monetary system is also centralized.
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There are many types of decentralization... e.g. single implementation is a centralized attack vector (manipulating devs, manipulating the company backing that implementation, etc). Having multiple different centers is helpful against some of those attacks.
What are you using as a definition of decentralization?
I quite like this definition of Trust Models (yeah... I know...)
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What are you using as a definition of decentralization?
Since we're on to another daily discussion, I'll make a separate post to define centralization :)
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