<center><p>Ah, the internet!</p>
<p> The wild west of the 21st century. We knew we could get away with a network to be infallible on a network that couldn't be shut down.</p>

<p>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_censorship_and_surveillance_by_country</p>

<p>...but Were we wrong?<br />Let's dive deeper, into the belly of the beast. We talked a bit about how crypto tokens buy in is controlled being atop a fiat network as is. A fatal flaw (in my view) <br />Read more on that here. This post is like cheese to the wine of that one. This is a fluid story. But all parts independently are still alright :)<br />https://steemit.com/steem/@followbtcnews/is-blockchain-truly-decentralized</p>
<p>So that was on supply/tokens, but- what about the network itself?<br />At a quick glance, we'd think hey! Blockchains decentralized, it's based upon a decentralized network (the internet) and we're going to take over the worlds economy hoo-ra! <br />https://i.imgflip.com/2283y0.jpg <br />But wait, there's more!<br />https://i.imgflip.com/2283xg.jpg<br />Let's observe it's weak points, it's joints. Ever watch star wars? The AT4s went down by locking up the joints.</p>
<p>We've already felt the joints being clogged by mass spamming of transactions during the #Bitcoincash craze. What we could do about this is temporarily increase block size until a bigger issue is found BUT I feel that's against the controlled BTC teams intentions.</p>
<p>More on that in previous post, and here.. (which is worse than I previously imagined, yay banks!)<br />https://steemit.com/bitcoin/@adambalm/the-truth-about-who-is-behind-blockstream-and-segwit-as-the-saying-goes-follow-the-money</p>
<p>While what we can do about this is limited, other than temporarily increase the block sizes until a more effective method is found- there lies a deeper issue, that could be ALL of blockchains Achilles heel.</p>
<p>We depend on #nodes , and they are mathematically secure. Theoretically. But, that theory is based upon the assumption that it's foundation, is also secure.</p>
<p>The #internet.</p>
<p>Who here believes the #government has our best interest in mind?</p>

<p>https://imgur.com/aPxQPaG.jpg</p>



<p>But, it's okay! #China 's on board with #crypto, and #USA 's internets free! That secures the state of crypto right?</p>
<p>Uh...<br />China on BTC mining (two sources)<br />https://gizmodo.com/chinas-crackdown-on-crypto-mining-threatens-bitcoins-fu-1821820017<br />https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-miners-could-face-power-restrictions-in-china</p>
<p>USA recent legislation<br />https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/14/16776154/fcc-net-neutrality-vote-results-rules-repealed</p>
<p>This seems small. But why now? Is it so that ISPs can throttle those on the blockchain networks? With fees this high, how much would that cost?</p>
<p>Another question.. Is this how they're going to tax miners? Theoretically, with the repeal of this law, they COULD tax node runners an unsustainable amount, and choke them out. By merely monitoring their connections and data they send. (which, they do, and would)</p>
<p>I'm not saying this as a way to scare anyone. I'm saying this to show WE ARE NOT in the clear. You want a decentralized network?<br />Good.<br />You should.</p>
<p>But, not like this. We need to as a community seriously take these things into close consideration.</p>
<p>Oh, also.. Did I forget to mention, not only is the internet a resource nodes run on but also an OBSCENE amount of government controlled electricity. That seems fine, but it makes us a huge heatmap. Hard to cloak. If law makers so desired, they would, and could choke out miners through premium prices on energy for miners.</p>
<p>Now, you could look at all this and say well then that'd just make bitcoin more valuable! Taxes and fees would be added to the price, sounds great!</p>
<p>That's if the governments intention is to KEEP blockchain around. Some tough entry fees to the blockchain, or choking out the nodes, would definitely impact the end user and the average Joe that are needed for mass adoption. Remember, a currency is only worth peoples BELIEF in it, and how many places it can be used.</p>
<p>This is not defeatist. This is showing we are not in the clear. We have not won. YET!</p>
<p>https://www.geek.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/overpopulation-2.jpg</p>
<p>Do you think the government would allow it to go on this long without a red button up their sleeve?</p>
<p>https://i.imgur.com/1i1dxQj.jpg</p>
<p>Remember, every day we give power to each chain with our mining, money, and the power of our words/sharing. Talk about what you believe in. And stand up for what you don't. <br />*glaring at you blockstream*</p>
<p>Next post on in depth analysis on blockstream? Or secondary methods banks will try to take over crypto? Vote by upvoting one of the according comments below!</p></center>

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<div class="pull-left">https://i.gyazo.com/d68e81355c87e847e9f4c388c9f370a2.gif</div>
<p><strong>I'm Jeff, and I'm @followbtcnews.</strong><br/>
I'm a top 30 witness, along with my project partner @crimsonclad. Feel free to reach out to us on Steemit Chat or Discord any time! If we haven't earned your vote yet, please take some time to look at <a href="http://www.steemistry.com">our tools and our work</a>. We hope you decide to place a vote for followbtcnews at https://steemit.com/~witnesses</p>