Potentially, we could also us the LPI blockchain for storing other information like the certifications that we hold/LPI issues. OpenBadges on a blockchain, I guess.I'm sure many people would prefer the choice on whether to make their credential generally and publicly available. However, for the membership part, perhaps this should be mandatory? As an example, my engineering license in Canada is publicly viewable. Apparently, I don't get a say in that. We could also use it for some form of volunteer recognition system...but I'll stop there before Anselm accuses me of suffering from "solution looking for a problem"-itis ;)
I can grok this use of the blockchain where essentially everyones public key is linked to a verified identity like PGP signatures. It just when it comes to voting and keeping who you voted for secret that I can't see how one can get away from trusting a central server not to leak the link from your vote to your public ID. I understand this is not such a big deal in voting for issues in LPI and is an acceptable level of risk but for general elections etc it would make me a bit nervous. Having said that I do notice in SA each ballot has a serial number and they write your serial number down next to your ID when you issued a ballot paper so technically they can find out who you voted for, but hopefully this would be an arduous manual process beyond the competence of the government :)
Of course I am quite happy to admit I am still working out all the implications and ramifications of the block chain so let me know if I got something wrong. The main principle for the distributed public ledger is that it should be impossible for anyone party or group to change and manipulate. Simply having it distributed like torrents is not enough. Even Ehtereum using mining and processing power to do this. Still got to read up on Ripple's protocol.
Privacy might not be a requirement for other uses of the blockchain. Bitcoin is only "anonymous" if your public key is not linked to your identity. I know there are work arounds like pools etc, multiple keys etc but essentially everything is public.
Hope I am not taking this off topic. I think using the block chain is a great way to get a feel for where things are going, being relevant and of course learning which, after all, is what LPI is all about :)
-- Mark Clarke 📱 +2711-781 8014 🌍 www.JumpingBean.co.za
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