21–30 of 67 posts
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Blockchain isn't decentralized. The network is run by a handful of companies, mainly in China.
I was talking about blockchains. Are you talking about Bitcoin? blockchain != Bitcoin blockchain != Ethereum
Author provides 2 examples: (1) blockchain and (2) big data Hadoop map reduce (1) blockchain: most arguments about blockchain always being replaceable with a traditional single node central database conveniently leaves out the constraint for decentralized control. Yes, if you change the ideal goals for the solution, of course you can propose the traditional solution. (E.g. a government central database of property re…
The point is that many of the proposed uses don't actually benefit from decentralization in any meaningful way, so you might as well save a pile of headaches and use a standard database.
Big data: they nailed it! Every single application of 'big data' i ever saw was hype-driven, and much easier solved by boring, traditional things that were there in K&R era already: hash maps, Berkeley DB, and memory-mapped files. Sometimes taking 100x less resources, like literally doing on a single computer what took a huge Hadoop cluster. Maybe on a Google scale of data, that doesn't work as easily. Maybe when you…
But seriously, I just came off a project last year that used Hadoop "because" and for no other discernible reason. I personally did a ton of studying on Data Science and then...crickets. Couldn't find anyone who really wanted that kind of work done. Maybe in time.
Author provides 2 examples: (1) blockchain and (2) big data Hadoop map reduce (1) blockchain: most arguments about blockchain always being replaceable with a traditional single node central database conveniently leaves out the constraint for decentralized control. Yes, if you change the ideal goals for the solution, of course you can propose the traditional solution. (E.g. a government central database of property re…
His complaint isn't against the Blockchain or Hadoop, but against the people proposing their use for its own sake, without concern about whether it actually provides benefits. He specifically says that virtual currencies themselves are a valid reason to use the Blockchain.
For his blockchain example, I couldn't find his Dutch handicap parking story via Google for more details so I don't know if a traditional central database would solve the same exact problem.
I'm saying that virtually all dismissals of a blockchain in favor of central databases almost always removes the benefits of decentralization. The ironic part is that the skeptics don't realize that the central db "solution" is incomplete when compared to all the decentralized goals (e.g. multiple witnesses guarding against tampering, potentially lower cost ownership verification, etc). Yes, if one changes the rules or moves the goal posts around, one can replace a decentralized blockchain with MySQL. If somebody is the skeptic, does he even notice that he performed that sleight-of-hand in his argument?!?
Taking a step back and looking at it more generally I see this as problem solving vs problem finding (in Alan Kay's words), where a perfect example would be the hype with self driving cars and high speed car tunnels. This is problem solving (traffic jams, car accidents, "I need to get there faster"). Whereas problem finding will ask the bigger questions that will lead to better results. In the question of transportation I think you should set up yourself to the problem "How do we build car free cities?"
Big data: they nailed it! Every single application of 'big data' i ever saw was hype-driven, and much easier solved by boring, traditional things that were there in K&R era already: hash maps, Berkeley DB, and memory-mapped files. Sometimes taking 100x less resources, like literally doing on a single computer what took a huge Hadoop cluster. Maybe on a Google scale of data, that doesn't work as easily. Maybe when you…
Shut your mouth--I can't keep charging $250/hr. unless people BELIEVE! But seriously, I just came off a project last year that used Hadoop "because" and for no other discernible reason. I personally did a ton of studying on Data Science and then...crickets. Couldn't find anyone who really wanted that kind of work done. Maybe in time.
From what I've seen so far it seems like the super big tech companies pay _all the money_ for ML/DS people; outside of that the pickings seem to get slim quick.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
His complaint isn't against the Blockchain or Hadoop, but against the people proposing their use for its own sake, without concern about whether it actually provides benefits. He specifically says that virtual currencies themselves are a valid reason to use the Blockchain.
>His complaint isn't against the Blockchain or Hadoop, but [...] whether it actually provides benefits. For his blockchain example, I couldn't find his Dutch handicap parking story via Google for more details so I don't know if a traditional central database would solve the same exact problem . I'm saying that virtually all dismissals of a blockchain in favor of central databases almost always removes the benefits of…
There should be nothing wrong in moving the goal posts, when the original goal seems to be the wrong one.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I was talking about blockchains. Are you talking about Bitcoin? blockchain != Bitcoin blockchain != Ethereum
Reasons other blockchains won't exhibit the same behavior as the two most used ones? None.
How is that none ?
Author provides 2 examples: (1) blockchain and (2) big data Hadoop map reduce (1) blockchain: most arguments about blockchain always being replaceable with a traditional single node central database conveniently leaves out the constraint for decentralized control. Yes, if you change the ideal goals for the solution, of course you can propose the traditional solution. (E.g. a government central database of property re…
Blockchain isn't decentralized. The network is run by a handful of companies, mainly in China.
Mining is centralized but bitcoin consensus is decentralized.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
>His complaint isn't against the Blockchain or Hadoop, but [...] whether it actually provides benefits. For his blockchain example, I couldn't find his Dutch handicap parking story via Google for more details so I don't know if a traditional central database would solve the same exact problem . I'm saying that virtually all dismissals of a blockchain in favor of central databases almost always removes the benefits of…
I think you're still missing the point. I understood that the author was criticizing the mindset of the companies which "want to use blockchain". In those cases, "moving the goal posts" is actually the sensible thing to do, when said companies are looking into the blockchain without understanding if they are actually going to benefit from the core blockchain benefit of decentralization. There should be nothing wrong…