Homework on Provenance - Questions

Blockchain and Bitcoin 101
#1659

Homework on Provenance - Questions

  1. How does blockchain enable digital provenance?
    Blockchain ensures transactions are valid because the vast majority of computers in the decentralized network produce the the valid “audit trail”. Any outliers are by definition invalid.

  2. Why doesn’t a normal database bring the same provenance?
    A normal database is a single point of failure. It is not replicated across a vast network.
    It is also a “point in time” record, whereas the blockchain ledger is recalculated for every new transaction.

  3. Why is digital provenance such a great benefit to many businesses?
    It eliminates the need for expensive and time consuming intermediary interactions that are the traditional forms of provenance.

1 Like
#1660

  1. Blockchain technology enables digital provenance with an immutable trustless public ledger that can be verifed in real time.

  2. In a blockchain, you can only add transactions, not remove. There is no way to cheat or duplicate. A normal database has a central authority which is vulnerable to hacks and incorrect information. It involves trust that both the transaction and accounting layers are correct.

  3. Digital provenance creates unprecedented efficiency and transparency with the ability to provide real-time auditing. Trust is not involve, you only need to verify.

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#1661

The system made it temporarily impossible to reply

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#1662

  1. Creates a permanent account of a transaction to multiple sources.

  2. Manipulation of data may or may not be verified. Requires trust.

  3. Real time auditing could prevent mistakes getting missed. Does not require trust.

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#1663

  1. The blockchain turns traditional provenance into digital provenance and decentralized. It cannot be changed once verified. It is then, locked into the public ledger that can be seen by the network and it cannot be lied about. So instead of a matter of trust, it becomes a matter of verification.

  2. Traditional provenance is centralized and can be manipulated purposely, or accidentally.

  3. Digital provenance is decentralized with the capability of real time auditing and tracking of everything involved. Everyone can see it on the network, so therefore there is no need to “trust” anyone or anything involved, because it is transparent.

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#1664

Let’s say you have just bought a tomato. It has USDA organic written on a label. In today’s economy, the USDA organic label may raise the price but not the quality of the fruit. In many farms, they are the same tomatoes. It is more expensive to grow organic so the farmer is incentivized to be dishonest. Using blockchain you no longer have to take the farmer at his word…you simply scan the tomato with your smartphone and validate what the farmer is advertising. When you purchase the tomato you also purchase the next block in the chain…you’re building the blockchain! The first block is when the seed is purchased and from where. At every stage of that tomato’s life a block will be added. Complex chains may be created but the longest chain is always the true one. Hope this helps

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#1665
  1. Ensuring that all activity (transactions) is included in the blockchain.
  2. Normal database enables to write / edit records, blockchain does not allow any changes only additional entries.
  3. Transparency, allows everyone to access every activity to allow verification.
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#1666

  1. Being a distributed ledger that is in consensus by everyone involved, digital provenance is enabled by the fundamental nature of the blockchain - every piece of data is ingrained in the blockchain for all to see, for all time.

  2. A normal database does not bring the same provenance due to the fact that it is not distributed to all parties and agreed upon in real time. It is not decentralised, it is controlled by a central authority or authorities and can be amended by those with control - data can be changed or erased as desired. While a normal database may be distributed to other parties after updates and changes have taken place, it is not in distributed by consensus nor in real time. There is no trust in the provenance of the information as you have no way to know whether something was changed, erased, omitted or otherwise, nor can you be sure who entered or amended the data and why. The output of information can only be as good as the input of data and if you have no idea about the origin or nature of the input, then the output of the database cannot be trusted. As another user put it -

  1. Digital provenance is a huge benefit to many businesses as it takes away the need for trust in everyone you deal with, for example suppliers, growers, producers, etc. If you can follow the history and origin of all of the information along a supply chain, for example, then you can be confident that what you are selling or providing is exactly what you say it is and from where. Digital provenance is basically a safety net of information - if and when you need it, it is always there to catch you.
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#1667
  1. Immutability
  2. Trust less Verification
  3. Reduces resource overhead
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#1668

How does blockchain enable digital provenance?

Blockchain enables digital provenance because it exists as an immutable decentralized public ledger on multiple networks. This allows “Real Time” verification of both transaction and audit layers.

Why doesn’t a normal database bring the same provenance?

A normal data base doesn’t bring the same provenance because they are centralized, lack transparency and their data can be altered at any time so there must be a level of trust.

Why is digital provenance such a great benefit to many businesses?

Digital provenance is a great benefit to business’’ because it allows for tracking and auditing each transaction in Real-Time. The public ledger creates “Trust-less-ness” in transactions that are encrypted but visible and auditable in real-time helping to increase efficiency.

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#1669

1.How does blockchain enable digital provenance?

The Key attributes of Blockchain (Decentralized /Transparency/Accuracy/Immutability/Security) will provide a trustless provenance.

2.Why doesn’t a normal database bring the same provenance?

Because the key attributes of Blockchain

(Decentralized/Transparency/Accuracy/Immutability/Security) are not a given in current real-world auditing applications therefore corruption can attribute to the information being documented.

3.Why is digital provenance such a great benefit to many businesses?

Real time auditing can efficiently streamline daily processes. From taxes to delivery inquiries.

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#1670

@Prophet79
Thank you. It’s now clear. Thanks to your example

2 Likes
#1671
  1. Blockchain enables digital provenance by creating a public ledger from a network of computers.
  2. A normal database is regulated by authorities and is not Trust-less.
  3. Digital provenance allows for real-time auditing no longer separating the accounting and transactions.
2 Likes
#1672

I should have rather said trustless. Meaning that humans cannot always be trusted. Is that okay?

1 Like
#1673

  1. the blockchain keeps track of all the information/transactions ever made, makes it immutable to outsiders, but transparent for everyone at the same time.

  2. a normal database can be manipulated, the information could be lost, it is only transparent if wanted and not very cost efficient.

  3. trustless. Companies do not need to trust their suppliers about what they are getting. The truth and the origin is recorded on the blockchain. Its traceability makes it so powerful.

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#1674

  1. Blockchain enables digital provenance it is an open ledger. Information can be added but not removed, therefore transactions involving blockchain can be verified without having to rely on trust in the other parties involved.

  2. Normal databases are subject to change. They are controlled and can be manipulated by individuals, governments, or organizations, Because they are not an open ledger, their data and source is opaque and non-verifiable in the way that blockchain is verifiable.

  3. For businesses, digital provenance combines the transaction process and the auditing process. Everything is in one place and can be reviewed at any time. Also, it can allow them to track the source and quality of their materials throughout the supply chain. This information is also available to the public.

1 Like
#1675

1.How does blockchain enable digital provenance?
Everyone can trace back all the transactions on the blockchain by running a BTC node. And it is immutable transactions can not be removed or edited.

2.Why doesn’t a normal database bring the same provenance?
A normal database is centralized witch can be manipulated, removed, hacked or can crash.

3.Why is digital provenance such a great benefit to many businesses?
You don’t just have to trust the claims of the company (ingredients, fair labor, etc). You can confirm in real-time the claims by looking at the transactions on the blockchain. It makes the process a lot more transparent, cheaper and faster.

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#1676
  1. The blockchain is a data structure where transactions or other operation (supply etc) cannot be removed because the second block verifies the first one, the third one verifies the second one and everything can be tracked on real-time.
  2. Because it can be modified and the trace is not in real-time.
  3. Because the business doesn’t need trust. Everything has already been verified by the blockchain.
#1677

Homework on Provenance - Questions

How does blockchain enable digital provenance?
blockchain entries are immutably like build in a “digital stone”, erasing a transaction is not possible (Trustless)

Why doesn’t a normal database bring the same provenance?
a normal database is mutable (Trust)

Why is digital provenance such a great benefit to many businesses?
saves a lot of time and money, if eg auditings could be done in real time

#1678

  1. How does blockchain enable digital provenance?
    Blockchain allows digital provenance to occur by showing up to date information, which computers communicate publicly to view. Also, with blockchain, anything can be tracked, opening up the transparency between companies. More data will be available for one company to view from another company. Say f an auditor wants to look at financial information of a company, the blockchain will have the data available to view and access. Supply chains will also benefit from blockchain’s, allowing food items to be tracked, showing up to date information as the where the product s and has been.

  2. Why doesn’t a normal database bring the same provenance?
    Currently databases are centralized, meaning a company can alter data before sending information to another company. One company is trusting another company by the information that is given. If information changes, the database may only be updated on one end, meaning the other company will not see the changes. Different databases will have different information, instead of bundling it all together in one specific chain. There is currently a lot of trust between companies in a supply chain, where one company takes another companies word from the data that they receive.

  3. Why is digital provenance such a great benefit to many businesses?
    Digital provenance can benefit many businesses n different ways. One way is by removing the trust, one company receiving a product can view the up to date information about the product. If a change was made when company B receives a shipment from company A, the data will appear and be available to view. The data hole will open much more with blockchain. Less questions and more answers between companies.