this post was submitted on 29 Aug 2023
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Technology
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I don't think running an election on a centralized database is a great idea. I do think it's a way better idea than doing it on a blockchain, which has all the problems a centralized database and several more besides.
We agree something! :)
I think you should re-evaluate your thinking on the second part. I know it's popular to bash on blockchains here, but blockchain isn't all ponzi schemes and libertatians, just like the internet isn't all phishing emails and troll farms
The research wing of the blockchain world is very interesting, at least from a nerdy, theoretical perspective
I dunno, I'm pretty technically versed on blockchains and I simply don't see the use. As I said they're vulnerable to basically everything a centralized database is, with the addition of 51% attacks, and suffer from poor usability and being monstrously inefficient on top of it. Maybe there is a mythical use for the tech out there, but if there is I haven't heard an argument for anything that wouldn't be better served by an actual database.
AFAIK if you don't trust the server and want to know exactly what code was run by it, there are only two options: a smart contract blockchain, or ZK Proofs (which came out of blockchain research)
It's a social technology. It allows outsiders to validate that the election tally code was run correctly. Elections are run every day on the Ethereum blockchain often that has financial implications for the voters. It doesn't mean they never get hacked, but it certainly gives the users more visibility and trust in their vote than a centralized black box