Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency that was designed to be open access and permissionless. However, recent discussions within the Bitcoin community have centered around how the cryptocurrency should be used, leading to debates about inscriptions and their impact on the network.
The focus on technical mechanisms to control how others use Bitcoin goes against the core philosophy of the cryptocurrency. Bitcoin was created to be censorship-resistant, allowing users to transact freely without interference. Attempts to censor or restrict certain uses of Bitcoin undermine its fundamental principles.
One argument against inscriptions is that they hinder the ability to bootstrap a new full node. However, the bottleneck in node syncing is not bandwidth but rather the verification of data. Inscriptions do not need to be verified, and the increased data from inscriptions can actually lower verification costs for nodes.
Another concern raised is the increase in fees due to inscriptions. Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin, addressed this issue in 2010, stating that transaction fees are minimal and necessary for the network to function. Attempts to regulate or control fees go against the decentralized nature of Bitcoin.
Instead of trying to dictate how others use Bitcoin, users should focus on adapting their own practices to accommodate different use cases. Crying for censorship or restrictions on certain uses of Bitcoin is counterproductive and goes against the ethos of the cryptocurrency.
In conclusion, it is time for the Bitcoin community to mature and embrace the diversity of uses within the network. By focusing on personal use cases and adapting to different scenarios, users can ensure that Bitcoin remains true to its core values of decentralization and permissionless access.