[excellent post]
So true.
The best you can do is observe when experts debate, e.g. smooth and I, or gmaxwell and I. Then form a judgement based on that interaction.
No expert has debated me on Ethereum's technology. Everyone ran away and hid, or implicitly agreed. So that should be an indication to you, that I am very likely correct on my technological analysis of Ethereum.
Note I would not claim to be an expert on some aspects, such as the math of elliptic curve cryptography. Neither is smooth.
And saying that, I was thinking now for long time we are lacking a proper risk metrics for all that. So what you think of starting new thread say
"Claim for regorous risk analytics for crypto ccys"
or better create an open Crypto Rating Label for any ccy & sidechain that would take this into account like
Market Risk (Volatility, VaR,...) - standart stuff here.
Liquidity Risks (exchanges, coin distribution, transparency,...)
Cyber Risk (hacking, steeling of private keys,..)
Systemic Risk (high level attac vectors, economics, centralization, Violation of CAP,...)
Operational Risks ( DEVs, Community, Release cycles,..)
...
I'd love to see such ! And would help so much for all Investors ( edit: Software Traders).