Composable and distributed systems group
Mon, 30 June 2025
Sharing our experimental call summaries: Al-generated digests for weekly Yak Collective live study groups. A step forward in exploration of human-machine collaborative cognition and Yak Oracle and Yak Memory systems for collective intelligence capabilities.
Discussion of Ethereum’s Proof of Stake Evolution
Divergence from current Ethereum approach to proof of stake
Base layer should prioritize maximum decentralization
Upper layers can trade centralization for convenience/speed
Current block speeds (6-10 seconds) may be too fast for network stability
Proposal: 1-2 minutes optimal block time with “preconfirmations” for user experience
Article under discussion: “Possible futures of the Ethereum protocol, part 3: The Scourge” (https://vitalik.eth.limo/general/2024/10/20/futures3.html)
Fundamental Issues with Current Staking System
Ethereum staking is effectively risk-free (unlike mining)
Mining allows for collective losses when too much capital enters
LST (Liquid Staking Token) providers creating DPoS-like system
Proposed solution: “Virtual ASIC” concept
Stake power decays over time
No withdrawal of initial stake
Must earn back investment through participation
Accessibility and Scale Considerations
Node operation remains technically challenging even for engineers
Question of whether retail-level decentralization is necessary
Current 32 ETH staking requirement considered too high
Alternative approaches suggested:
Client diversity
Light nodes
Light clients
Future Vision and System Economics
Target: Billion+ user ecosystem
Usage patterns projected similar to credit card transactions
System complexity comparisons to healthcare infrastructure
Economic considerations:
Transaction fees as base cost
Security “tax” tolerance (5-10% suggested)
Potential for income tax-level costs (20-50%) if system becomes essential
Language evolution challenges:
Need to balance technical accuracy with user-friendly terms
System development while maintaining active operations
Complexity becoming more manageable over time through familiarity
Yak Collective Discord chat:
https://discord.com/channels/692111190851059762/1388741727485038693/1388741742290800733