Weaving Is A Better Metaphor for Bitcoin, Instead of Mining

[davidorban]

When describing what the network of computers calculating the blocks does, the metaphor of weaving is much better than that of mining:

• done together (a network)
• to strengthen the fabric (the transactions)
• intertwining threads (cryptographic functions)
• with emerging patterns (the payment or other applications)
• upon new fabrics (alt-coins, with their separate blockchains)

Also, a nice bonus, the first computers were the automated looms that were programmed with punch cards, and gave rise to the Luddite movement opposing them, just as the incumbents oppose Bitcoin, and its automation of the opaque financial system.

Check out more details and nuances in the full article I wrote for Bitcoin Magazine:
http://bitcoinmagazine.com/12311/weaving-better-metaphor-bitcoin-instead-mining/

What do you think?

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[Vod]

When describing what the network of computers calculating the blocks does, the metaphor of weaving is much better than that of mining:

• done together (a network)
• to strengthen the fabric (the transactions)
• intertwining threads (cryptographic functions)
• with emerging patterns (the payment or other applications)
• upon new fabrics (alt-coins, with their separate blockchains)

Also, a nice bonus, the first computers were the automated looms that were programmed with punch cards, and gave rise to the Luddite movement opposing them, just as the incumbents oppose Bitcoin, and its automation of the opaque financial system.

Check out more details and nuances in the full article I wrote for Bitcoin Magazine:
http://bitcoinmagazine.com/12311/weaving-better-metaphor-bitcoin-instead-mining/

What do you think?

It's a well thought out idea, deserving of at least one reply.   

[jonald_fyookball]

meh.

[wachtwoord]

It might, but there is no way a name change for mining will be widely accepted.

[Bitcoinpro]

I guess string theory is kinda mixed in there somewhere 

[sorryforthat]

Well... I just dont know.. "What did you say you did again?" "Im a Bitcoin weaver.... I weave Bitcoins"

[davidorban]

It's a well thought out idea, deserving of at least one reply. 

Thanks for the positive reply 

meh.

And for the neutral-tending-to-negative one 

It might, but there is no way a name change for mining will be widely accepted.

Yes, I agree: if it gets picked up, it won't replace the mining terminology, even if it is better. That is path dependency for you!

I guess string theory is kinda mixed in there somewhere   

It isn't, but you are probably right, I should have "weaved" it in!

Well... I just dont know.. "What did you say you did again?" "Im a Bitcoin weaver.... I weave Bitcoins"

Good point. Do you think that mining is macho and admirable, while weaving is to be looked down upon?
"I strengthen the global tapestry of financial transactions. The computers? Think about weaving, that's what they do, only with numbers, not with textile fibers."

[ljudotina]

So i'm weaving.....my grand grand mother would be proud....

[Broseph Stalin]

This man speaks the truth.
Behold, my new bitcoin miner weaver:

[MarketNeutral]

I was weaving bitcoin blocks using the latest 8-bit PunchCardMiner, but the reader got stuck on a lace card.



How do I fix this? Do I have to reset my memory drum?


In terms of weaving, when I first learned of bitcoin, there was another currency around at the time called loom.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2349.0

http://p2pfoundation.net/Loom

https://loom.cc/

[MarketNeutral]

Satoshi weaving the genesis block.....
http://www.williamson-labs.com/images/sage-memory-drum-1154.jpg

[ChuckBuck]

I like the thought process that went into this, unfortunately it's missing that one thing, block rewards.

Weavers weaving to make cash...doesn't have that "mining for gold" aspect that Bitcoin mining has.

[Beliathon]

Best thread on the forums at the moment. 

[davidorban]

I like the thought process that went into this, unfortunately it's missing that one thing, block rewards.
Weavers weaving to make cash...doesn't have that "mining for gold" aspect that Bitcoin mining has.

Yes, you are right. And as every metaphor, it can't be perfect, otherwise it'd be the thing, rather than a representation of, a stand-in for the thing...

But also, the rewards are a temporary feature of the Bitcoin network. In only a 126 years there will be no rewards directly generated from weaving, and just as other activities, instead of magically paying for itself, it will be rewarded by those who value it.

In the case of bitcoin transactions on the network these will be the fees. People will pay to have their thread woven into the tapestry of the transactions.

[franky1]

weaving a chain of transactions to show the whole history of bitcoin.

whats next using this weave to predict fture fraudsters to kill off before they mess with bitcoin, and then learning how to bend the path of a bullet?

analogy: the movie 'wanted'

[wachtwoord]

Bow we know why Satoshi is so quiet. He, like sleeping beauty, cut himself on the spinning wheel

[bountygiver]

I like the thought process that went into this, unfortunately it's missing that one thing, block rewards.
Weavers weaving to make cash...doesn't have that "mining for gold" aspect that Bitcoin mining has.

Yes, you are right. And as every metaphor, it can't be perfect, otherwise it'd be the thing, rather than a representation of, a stand-in for the thing...

But also, the rewards are a temporary feature of the Bitcoin network. In only a 126 years there will be no rewards directly generated from weaving, and just as other activities, instead of magically paying for itself, it will be rewarded by those who value it.

In the case of bitcoin transactions on the network these will be the fees. People will pay to have their thread woven into the tapestry of the transactions.

There's still rewards, they are called transaction fees.
And they pay ALOT if worldwide adaptation is achieved.

[franky1]

better metaphor

Rubixing

taking small segmants (tx data) verifying the colours match together (tx taint) and solving a puzzle to form a complete block

[MarketNeutral]

Rubixing. That's some food for thought! 

[Dogtanian]

I think Mining is still much more better. It's easier to understand for people too.