Post 9rsZYyZR3PVB8Th9PM by waxwing@x0f.org
 (DIR) More posts by waxwing@x0f.org
 (DIR) Post #9rsZYyZR3PVB8Th9PM by waxwing@x0f.org
       2020-02-08T15:12:38Z
       
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       I just realized something that amuses me:In physics, potential energy is defined as zero at distance infinity (from a massive object for gravity e.g.).In Joinmarket some time back I added "block height" to the utxo metadata of the wallet, and set the "height" to infinity for unconfirmed transactions. In this weird analogy, being buried under many blocks (having a *lower* blockheight) is analogous to kinetic energy gained when a mass falls toward the object .. maybe :)#joinmarket #bitcoin
       
 (DIR) Post #9rsZYyyFZ9LqNRIy5Q by laurentmt@mamot.fr
       2020-02-09T14:59:32Z
       
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       @waxwing It reminds me of some thought experiments while writing a series of posts about PoW:- UTXOs as "particles" moving in a 1D space,- Work acting as a force "accelerating" UTXOs,- Principle of inertia applied to UTXOs is what secures the UTXOs, - etcThe great irony is that I don't even think that it's a good idea to use a newtonian model when dealing with a complex systems like Bitcoin. But it's hard to resist the pleasure of playing with analogies. :D
       
 (DIR) Post #9rsZYzKwCnV1Vnv5Rw by laurentmt@mamot.fr
       2020-02-09T15:07:28Z
       
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       @waxwing Anyway, that was instructive. This is how I learned that the idea of using netwonian models in economics was popularized by Cantillon and later by the Physiocrats.
       
 (DIR) Post #9rsZYzen0zNYVNCwOO by htimsxela@bitcoinhackers.org
       2020-02-10T01:26:42Z
       
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       @laurentmt @waxwing I'm curious, what is your definition of 'Newtonian model' here? As in 'works at this level of abstraction, but not at others'? I like this thread; the rather un-obfuscated relationship between entropy and security in PoW is very interesting, I think there are some intriguing and perhaps instructive parallels to be seen, wrt physics, information theory, social interaction. It all just fits together far too beautifully, really.
       
 (DIR) Post #9rwFpp3yR0oW7YZgDA by laurentmt@mamot.fr
       2020-02-11T20:04:22Z
       
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       @htimsxela @waxwing What I call "Newtonian model" in this context is the conceptual framework built around the core concept of deterministic reversible trajectories ruled by differential equations.My guess is that the main motivation of Cantillon was to show that the economy of a society follows a natural order that can be studied and understood. Thus, taking inspiration from the Newtonian model made sense since it was cutting-edge maths used to describe natural order.