On 20/03/14 12:18 PM, dave miller wrote: > How? Dont understand but its very interesting. Please tell us more!
Bitcoin uses a public record called the Blockchain. It's like Twitter or Netbehaviour - a public record of messages that people can add to over time. The Blockchain can be (mis-)used to show that a particular piece of information existed at a particular time by placing either that information or a unique ID for that information into the Blockchain. This has been used as a "proof of existence" for information. Start with a piece of data (in this instance the string G-o-d) and use a cryptographic hash algorithm to create a unique but irreversible identifier for it. Convert that identifier into a Bitcoin transaction address. Then send a tiny amount of Bitcoin to that address to place a record of that transaction into the Blockchain. This can be used to assert that the data existed at the time the bitcoin address was used. There's a better explanation here - http://www.proofofexistence.com/about So I start with one statement ("I am using what in the Bitcoin community has been called Proof of existence to establish that a piece of data consisting of the string G-o-d exists at this time") and use it to apparently make another ("I am proving the existence of a supernatural supreme being and creator of the universe"). I'm conflating a strong philosophical idea of proof with a weak technical one. And I'm conflating the concept of God with one of His names. It's the logical equivalent of an eBay scam selling "iPhone 5 Original Receipt and Box". It's not meant as an attack on or defense of anyone's beliefs or lack thereof. It's meant to hopefully amuse some people and make some other people think about philosophy, or Bitcoin, or both. I'm glad that you find it interesting. :-) - Rob. _______________________________________________ NetBehaviour mailing list [email protected] http://www.netbehaviour.org/mailman/listinfo/netbehaviour
