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Re:Darwin: a genomics co-processor provides up to 15,000x ac... by ctchocula on Thursday April 19, 2018 @04:13AM (#16874188)
One argument is that the blockchain problem coincides with a "real scientific problem" that needs solving and if the scientific problem leads to some application, which can yield a monetary reward (may be big "if"), this would make it cheaper to launch a 51% attack against this blockchain. The attacker could subsidize their attack by being paid to do science.
Re:Darwin: a genomics co-processor provides up to 15,000x ac... by tradedash on Thursday April 19, 2018 @04:18AM (#16874210)
Not so serious answer: Hurray for that? :D

Serious answer: Things would obviously have to be designed differently. This isn't about distribution of "economic power to the hands of the people" or some other Satoshi notion. The thought I have is more along the lines of Folding@Home

http://folding.stanford.edu/

Re:Darwin: a genomics co-processor provides up to 15,000x ac... by tree_of_item on Thursday April 19, 2018 @01:13PM (#16877733)
If this isn't about some "Satoshi notion", then what does blockchain have to do with it? Just do something like Folding@Home. There are several projects like that.
Re:Darwin: a genomics co-processor provides up to 15,000x ac... by crispweed on Thursday April 19, 2018 @04:22AM (#16874222)
What makes the attacker different? If there was a possibility to subsidize mining by being paid to do science, why would other miners not take advantage of this also?