Bitcoin and Ethereum Tribalism; productivity or futility?

Bitcoin and Ether

The same but different

Bitcoin the token, Ether the token, Bitcoin the blockchain, and Ethereum the blockchain. They are both cryptocurrencies, they are both blockchains, they both mint tokens, but they do different things, and increased capability in one area can reduce capability in another.

Bitcoin

This blockchain serves the token. The blockchain mints or makes the token Bitcoin, and the blockchain tracks the token, the blockchain protects the integrity of the Bitcoin ledger and its single spend nature as a digital currency.

Ethereum.

The token serves the blockchain. The Ethereum blockchain is made to support applications, and the token is like the fuel for the applications, which run on the blockchain, whose purpose is to serve the applications.

Purpose built or intentionality

These simplistic descriptions convey a larger meaning. Bitcoin in Ether are not in competition with each other. They achieve to different purposes. Bitcoin is a store of value, similar to gold. Ether is a fuel for productivity, like oil.

They are not in competition, they are like planets in different orbits. They each travel their own path and recognize only their blockchain token, or clever simulations.

Specialization is a reward and a curse, just as generalization is also.

The Bitcoin blockchain is focused on being a secure, store of value. It achieves this goal, and indeed it maybe the most secure blockchain in existence. But it surrenders the ability to run smart contracts, or applications in pursuit of that singular goal.

Ether is valuable no doubt, but it’s specialization is not store of value or security, it’s service to the blockchain, and that it does quite well, within its functional limits on volume and speed. It surrendered some specialization in security, its secure, but has weaknesses which were exploited and subsequently weaknesses patched.

It’s difficult to be all things well, just as it’s limiting to be the best at only one thing. It is a trade-off or compromise we all face in life. It is reality.

Tribalism and futility

Hence the futility of arguing one is better then the other. As opposed to learning each’ s strengths and weaknesses. Then using each one’s strength for gains and productive advancement.

Consume not thy energies on non-productive pursuits, instead focus them on productive endeavors, to benefit yourself and possibly those around you.

🦁

Penned by my hand @shortsegments

@shortsegments

I came for the crypto and I stayed for the Community.