Earlier quoted context omitted.
why does one need to execute the contact on thousands of nodes, when a verification proof (e.g. pinocchio) would be sufficient?
Why does a contract between two counterparties need to use a network with thousands of nodes at all? What enforcement benefit does the network provide? I'd contend it's entirely superfluous to a smart contract system, which could just offer building blocks from a trusted third party instead for constructing contracts, and that trusted third party could also notary the transaction and provide arbitration. All of these…
They are autonomous agents that act as your counterparty.