What Is This?What Is This?
This is an experiment inspired by discussions and posts made by @Undisciplined, @elvismercury and others regarding evergreen content on SN. I’ll dig back into the past to try to locate some great posts that might be worth another read. I plan to make these posts every Tuesday.
Here are this week’s selections:
I’m sure most of you have seen @JoeNakamoto’s great videos either her on SN or elsewhere. This is different. His rant raises important issues and inspired good discussion.
Do you ever wonder whether it’s worth spending so much time on Stacker News? I don’t. You get an opportunity to engage with some of the great minds of the bitcoin project. @petertodd is pretty much in his own league when it comes to this. Just do a search. Watch an old video from 2014. He bought his first bitcoin for 20 cents. He was arguing about block size with Gavin Andresen when he was 15 years old. You can actually get into your own argument with him here on any given day, on just about any topic. You will probably lose.
Here, he takes some controversial positions that will probably rile up some of us. It’s tough to ignore him, though, since he almost certainly understands this stuff better than we do.
Comments and suggestions are welcome
Is Joe Nakamoto Santoshi Nakamoto's brother ?😜
I believe he is a second cousin, twice removed.
By the way, joke a part, both posts are really awesome. Your selection of posts is amazing.
Maybe your brother?
I'm a lot older than that... You're misremembering me being active on the bluesky mailing list with Hal Finny and Adam Back when I was 15. When I was first arguing with Gavin Andresen I was about 28.
Sorry. I got it wrong. I was listening to an old WBD you did in 2017. Audio only. I conflated two of the stories.
You wouldn't be the first person to mix them up!
Good. I feel better. Neglecting the Hal Finney story is pretty bad, though!
From brave search ai:
In 2001, Hal Finney, Adam Back, and others, including Jim McCoy and Peter Todd, participated in a discussion on the Bluesky mailing list. This conversation revolved around the concept of decentralized digital money and the need for a solution to ensure ownership and control.
Zero-Knowledge Proof
Hal Finney, a renowned cryptographer, contributed to the discussion by proposing a zero-knowledge proof of possession of a pre-image of a SHA-1 hash. This concept is significant, as it highlights Finney's expertise in cryptography and his involvement in exploring solutions for digital cash systems.
Adam Back's Involvement
Adam Back, a British cryptographer and cypherpunk, also participated in the Bluesky discussion. As the inventor of Hashcash, a proof-of-work system used in Bitcoin mining, Back's involvement demonstrates his interest in digital cash and decentralized systems.
Context and Significance
This Bluesky mailing list discussion provides context for the early exploration of decentralized digital money concepts, involving prominent figures like Hal Finney and Adam Back. While this conversation predates the launch of Bitcoin, it showcases the collective efforts of cypherpunks in developing ideas that would eventually shape the cryptocurrency landscape.
In 2001, Peter Todd, then around 14-15 years old, engaged in a mailing list conversation with Hal Finney and Adam Back about advanced p2p systems and decentralized naming schemes. This exchange predates the creation of Bitcoin.
Hal Finney, a pioneer in cryptographic research, discussed his ideas on decentralized immutable namespaces with Adam Back, inventor of Hashcash, and Peter Todd. They explored concepts like collaborative server auditing and client-name server protocols.
Peter Todd's involvement in these early discussions demonstrates his precocious understanding of decentralized systems and cryptography.
Hashcash and Bitcoin
Adam Back invented Hashcash, a proof-of-work system used in Bitcoin mining. He was one of the first two people to receive an email from Satoshi Nakamoto.
Hal Finney, a key contributor to the development of Bitcoin, was also mentioned as a potential Satoshi Nakamoto candidate by the Financial Times in 2016.
Cypherpunk Influence
Peter Todd, along with Gregory Maxwell and Adam Back, is considered a self-proclaimed cypherpunk. Their vision for Bitcoin scalability emphasizes a cautious approach to avoid repeating mistakes of the 1990s.
This cypherpunk influence is reflected in their focus on decentralized systems, cryptographic security, and the importance of robust design principles.
Key Takeaways
Peter Todd's early involvement in decentralized system discussions with Hal Finney and Adam Back showcases his aptitude for advanced cryptographic concepts at a young age.
Adam Back's invention of Hashcash and his role in the early days of Bitcoin are significant contributions to the development of the cryptocurrency.
The cypherpunk influence of Peter Todd, Gregory Maxwell, and Adam Back has shaped the vision for Bitcoin's scalability and security.
bluesky mailing list was before bitcoin talk?
#637115
Wow pulling out the big guns today.
It took me forever to put it together because I kept reading all the comments, which sent me thinking about stuff I thought I had already decided for myself.
Superb take by @JoeNakamoto. I've seen sone his videos. He is super cool guy!! Thanks I love this Golden Oldies concept.
This is awesome! @JoeNakamoto presenting real picture of the south should be an eye opener for everyone! I also love his videos so much.
Good post! There's lot to learn from past.
Nice combo! thanks
Both posts are awesome. Thanks for sharing
Hha chapter 7 was way good