The 51% "attack" is a vote, not an attack
It light of many recent, high value bitcoin thefts the Bitcoin community has been discussing freezing stolen coins. (See for example the discussion that generated this one, https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/should-core-bitcoin-developers-freeze-stolen-mtgox-bitcoins-508971 ) Many are opposed to it because they see it as regulation. But the regulation does not have to come from a judge or one so-called authoritative entity. It can come from the votes of the community, i.e. miners. And this is the way it should be.
I call on the developers of Bitcoin to place a priority on providing to the community and miners a simpler interface through which the miners may freeze particular coins. The pools that show a high regard for democratic principles will lead the way to a more respected currency.
1. Miners are all ready "separate". If we were to do things democratically, miners would be the only ones to get votes.It light of many recent, high value bitcoin thefts the Bitcoin community has been discussing freezing stolen coins. (See for example the discussion that generated this one, https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/should-core-bitcoin-developers-freeze-stolen-mtgox-bitcoins-508971 ) Many are opposed to it because they see it as regulation. But the regulation does not have to come from a judge or one so-called authoritative entity. It can come from the votes of the community, i.e. miners. And this is the way it should be.
I call on the developers of Bitcoin to place a priority on providing to the community and miners a simpler interface through which the miners may freeze particular coins. The pools that show a high regard for democratic principles will lead the way to a more respected currency.
2. Bitcoin isn't a democracy. If you don't like Bitcoin as it is, start your own network. If the Bitcoin network starts stacking the deck to reverse transactions or freeze accounts, it's not Bitcoin, regardless of what we call it. The currency as the whitepaper describes it is Bitcoin.
