Homework on Consensus - Questions

Blockchain and Bitcoin 101
#4197

Homework on Consensus - Questions

  1. What does it mean when we say that in blockchain, consensus determine the truth?

The network agrees (consensus) whether a transaction is good or not. If it is good it gets added to the ledger. Hence truth is determined by the network consensus

  1. How is this different from how truth is determined in a central database?
    A single database or individual chose what gets added to the database, with no consensus to check if it is good or not.
1 Like
#4198

Consensus is to ensure that all nodes/computers in the system can agree in a single source of truth. A general agreement.

#4199

  1. Since truth might be defined as “agreed upon existence,” the greater number of agreements activities on the blockchain are verified and duplicated without deviation, truth is attained.

  2. A central database is stand alone. There are no connections to other chains to verify what is what, thus no truth, as it were, can be attained.

2 Likes
#4200
  1. Consensus is reached by a decision made by a network of computers that tell the truth about a certain block to be placed or not on the blockchain.
  2. In central databases, we rely on the person who inputs the information in the database to be truthful.
1 Like
#4201

You forgot to answer the other question. :stuck_out_tongue:

#4202

I am new to this just signed up, I am getting used to how everything works…Haha.

#4203

1.) As all verifier on the blockchain are incentivized to tell the truth about a transaction or an action in general, it can be assumed that the truth is agreed upon. There is no lies being told on the public ledgers. that generates a public network of validators that agree on documenting and verifiying the truth about certain actions and transactions.

2.) with centralized databases however there is no incentive reached. For some companies and businesses it might be more beneficial to lie about some of their actions and have an unfair advantage over those who might take the hard way to present a better outcome. ( i.e. not lying about food ingredients or clothing productions ) The end costumer just has to take the companies word for it and believe in what they say which sometimes leaves them supporting something that is not worthy. this can be fixed with the consensus mechanism on the blockchain.

1 Like
#4204

Centralized databases have no consensus mechanisms, making it for a place where data manipulation is possible.

1 Like
#4206

What does it mean when we say that in blockchain, consensus determines the truth?
Consensus is achieved through a decentralised trustless system by means of financial incentives.

How is this different from how truth is determined in a central database?
There is no transparency in a central database and so no way to verify the actual data.

1 Like
#4207
  1. Consensus determines the truth through mutual agreement by many people on the blockchain using an incentive structure to discourage false verification of information.
  2. In a central database, truth is whatever the creator of the information says it is. There is no outside verification or consensus.
1 Like
#4208

  1. What does it mean when we say that in blockchain, consensus determines the truth?
    A query is verified against multiple copies of the blockchain by multiple actors. If the majority determine the query is true then the truth is determined.

  2. How is this different from how truth is determined in a central database?
    A standard database cannot make consensus because there is only one actor making one determination. The actor and the data have to be trusted that alterations have not occurred.

1 Like
#4209
  1. it give the information as it is with confirmation from different validator in real time.
  2. they able to corrupt data by making a false claim and it will be hard to track and trace their claims.
1 Like
#4210

  1. All parties/nodes/computers in the network have mutually decided that they agree or disagree with the processes, which creates trust and consensus and an incentive to be honest.

  2. In a Centralized database there is no governing group of entities making decisions. Usually these decisions are made by 1 entity which allows for a non consensual decision.

1 Like
#4211
  1. What does it mean when we say that in blockchain, consensus determine the truth?
    Because transactions are being verified by multiple computers that run their copy of the blockchain we have to come to a concensus. All of the computers have to verify the transaction , if the transaction isn’t verified as real, the transaction will not be completed. This makes cheating in the blockchain impossible.
  2. How is this different from how truth is determined in a central database?
    In a centralized database run by individuals they can change , delete , forge information to use for their own interest. In this case there is no concensus and also no verification of trust.
1 Like
#4212
  1. What does it mean when we say that in blockchain, consensus determine the truth? The information added to the blockchain is verified by the entire community of nodes. Every node has a copy of the ledger. Therefor false information that community can not agree on is discarded because it can not be verified.
    2.How is this different from how truth is determined in a central database? Truth in a typical database is trusted by the editor of the database. Which is not math or a protocol. Its Typically a person, though not always. Here we don’t need to trust anyone. We just need to verify using all the nodes that are incentivized to keep the network correct.
2 Likes
#4213
  • What does it mean when we say that in blockchain, consensus determine the truth?
    A. Multiple instances of confirmation combine to create to verify a consensus that the data is correct and valid
  • How is this different from how truth is determined in a central database?
    A. In a central database he who controls the network controls the truth and defines it
2 Likes
#4214

  1. Consensus is everyone agreeing to an action happening on the blockchain. Hence, if everyone agrees, that must imply truth. Consensus stems from incentive to be truthful, making it the ultimate truth cycle. lol

  2. In a central database, truth is determined via the central authority. On blockchain, everyone confirms.

2 Likes
#4215
  1. What does it mean when we say that in blockchain, consensus determines the truth?

The truth is determined by consensus because all the parties are incentivized to provide good information and validate each others.

  1. How is this different from how truth is determined in a central database?

There is not enough parties involved in a central database to achieve decentralization and verify the validity of information. One party can alter the database and other parties are not incentivized to report the alteration.

2 Likes
#4216
  1. What does it mean when we say that in blockchain, consensus determine the truth?
    a- Consensus determines the truth in blockchain meaning that not one central party can validate a transaction on the database. Several nodes validate transactions on the blockchain to verify the truth allowing for a trustless relationship on the ledger.
  2. How is this different from how truth is determined in a central database?
    a- In a central database only one party verifies transactions. This requires trust and allows for false information to be shared on the database. Allowing several nodes to approve transactions allows for a trustless system. Therefor truth is determined based on trust from a central database.
2 Likes
#4217
  1. What does it mean when we say that in blockchain, consensus determine the truth?

What it means is that in Blockchain, there is a network of computers that are all verifying with each other what is the truth. All the computers in the Blockchain network are incentivized to tell the truth. This is consensus in Blockchain.

  1. How is this different from how truth is determined in a central database?

This is different from how truth is determined in a central database because in a central database, you have to trust one single authority that the database records are true. A central database can be cheated when it involves trusting one single authority.

1 Like