Re: [GNUnet-developers] blockchain vs gnunet, Integration of concepts?

[Christian Grothoff]

Hi!

First of all, I think having a blockchain in GNUnet is technically
possible. But the question is for what.  For a payment system, we're
working on GNU Taler (taler.net), which has a more strong ethical
foundation and should be less expensive to operate.  Blockchains also
generally worry me because of the inherent high demand for energy.

I do see some potential use for a blockchain in GNUnet to facilitate
computations or timestamping services a la Ethereum, but even there I'll
need some more convincing data before I believe it's viable (but
Ethereum is certainly a worthwhile experiment / research direction).
Still, for now, I plan to focus my efforts in other areas (GNS, ATS,
Conversation, PSYC, multicast, etc etc.).

If you want to see blockchain-based applications, I'd suggest you work
with the Ethereum folks for now, they seem to be the best team for that
today. And if those really take off, I'm sure we can find a way to
integrate Ethereum with GNUnet (AFAIK, some of their devs are already
thinking about that.)

Happy hacking!

Christian

On 05/30/2015 09:11 AM, jan marco alkema wrote:
> Hello Christian,
> 
> I am look to blockchain concept (of Bitcoin).
> 
> Source:
> http://www.wired.com/2014/03/decentralized-applications-built-bitcoin-great-except-whos-responsible-outcomes/
> 
> 
> "Thus, while they enable a whole new set of possibilities,
> blockchain-based applications also present legal
> <http://www.wired.com/opinion/2014/03/safe-harbor-for-finance-startups-regulation/>,
> technical, and social challenges similar to those raised by other P2P
> applications that came before them, such as BitTorrent, Tor, or Freenet.
> But some of these challenges haven’t been seen before in the context of
> traditional P2P networks."
> 
> .
> .
> 
> "As such, the bitcoin platform (or blockchain) allows for the deployment
> of decentralized applications that combine the benefits of cloud
> computing — in terms of ubiquity and elasticity — with the benefits of
> P2P technologies in terms of privacy and anonymity. Even though the
> blockchain is inherently transparent (as every transaction is recorded
> on a public ledger), users can have multiple identities that don’t
> necessarily relate to their real persona."
> 
> Blockchain-based applications can therefore address user’s privacy
> through anonymity.
> 
> Is there integration of blockchain (concept) and gnunet possible/useful?
> 
> Greetings Jan Marco
> 
> 
> 
> 
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