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@ Tim Bouma
2025-04-21 09:45:36
Proof of Work (PoW) is not a new thing (though Difficulty Adjustment might be).
PoW has existed throughout the ages, in the forms of pyramids, temples, memorials and palaces. Typically mandated by a ruler who wants to build something bigger, more elaborate that the previous ruler. The artefacts of PoW, typically have no direct economic benefit or utility; in many cases they drain society’s resources to a near breaking point, consuming all surplus good, labour and knowledge (artisans).
So what’s the real point of PoW ? In olden times, it kept the populace beholden to a single, visible objective, so it was easier to control the population. It also showed everyone that the current ruler could instill order into society, despite the great cost, most valued order over disorder. By maintaining a constant PoW, it kept a sharp edge on society- to maintain the existing order, or the build a new order.
While Bitcoin employs PoW in a novel cryptographic way, the idea is as old as civilization as itself. The difference being is that now there is a way to maintain PoW with computation, not subjugation.