Bitcoin mining is often misunderstood, yet it stands as one of the most fascinating aspects of Bitcoin. The concept of proof-of-work acts as a digital stamp, ensuring security and preventing attacks through a costly verification system. Surprisingly, this mechanism creates a formidable barrier against potential threats, securing the entire network. The discussion also touches on the profound implications of mining and its importance in the broader crypto landscape.
08:53
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Proof Of Work As A Costly Stamp
Proof of work attaches an unforgeable, small computational cost to actions on open networks to deter spam and abuse.
It is cheap for honest users but becomes prohibitively expensive for mass attackers, changing the economics of abuse.
insights INSIGHT
Mining Is Electronic Dice Rolling
Bitcoin uses proof of work like massive repeated dice rolls to secure the ledger and grant block rewards to finders.
The network automatically increases difficulty as more participants join to maintain a stable pace.
insights INSIGHT
Energy Wall Protects The Ledger
To change past pages an attacker must redo all prior proof of work and outpace the honest network, making attacks exponentially costly.
Each additional page strengthens the energy barrier protecting transaction history.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Bitcoin mining is both one of the coolest and most unique aspects of the Bitcoin system, and it's also one of the most deeply misunderstood parts of it.
In my effort to make this crazy thing make some amount of sense, I toss my hat into the ring to explaining why mining is actually one of the most profound, and fascinating parts of Bitcoin, that make it a truly revolutionary discovery. So... Why is Bitcoin mining even a thing?
Check out the BitKit wallet if you want a simple and intuitive wallet with on-chain and lightning built in, where you are in control of your own keys. If you are in the US, do NOT use a VPN set to Europe to make lightning work without any friction. That would not be advised to get a service like NordVPN, or Mullvad, and get around that very easily. But you should get a VPN anyway because it will help protect your privacy, but will also protect you from man-in-middle attacks and wifi spoofing attacks. (Link: Bitkit.to)
Check out our awesome sponsors!
Ledn: Need fiat but don’t want to sell your Bitcoin? Ledn offers secure, Bitcoin-backed loans with no credit checks, flexible repayment, and fast turnaround—often within 24 hours. With $10B+ in loans across 100+ countries and transparent Proof of Reserves, Ledn is a trusted option for unlocking liquidity without giving up your Bitcoin. (Link: https://learn.ledn.io/audible)
OFF: The Oslo Freedom Forum is a global human rights event by the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), uniting voices from activism, journalism, tech, and beyond. Through powerful stories and collaboration, OFF advances freedom and human potential worldwide. Join us next June. (Link: https://oslofreedomforum.com/)
Pubky: Pubky is building the next web, a decentralized system designed to put control back in your hands. Escape censorship, algorithmic manipulation, and walled gardens by owning your identity and data. Explore the Pubky web and become the algorithm today. Don't forget to find me on my Pubky ID here: pk:5d7thwzkxx5mz6gk1f19wfyykr6nrwzaxri3io7ahejg1z74qngo. (Link: https://pubky.org)
Chroma: Chroma is dedicated to advancing human performance and well-being through cutting-edge light therapy devices and performance eyewear. Their mission is to enhance physical and mental health, unlocking peak human health, cognitive function, and physical performance. Get 10% off your order with the code BITCOINAUDIBLE. (Link: https://getchroma.co/?ref=BitcoinAudible)
Host Links
Guy on Nostr (Link: http://tinyurl.com/2xc96ney)
Guy on X (Link: https://twitter.com/theguyswann)