Let me clarify: setting up a validation node is already easy. But simplicity and perceived simplicity are different things. Today, perceived simplicity demands effortlessness.
Next, let’s talk about what it should feel like to run a validating node.
Take block explorer sites.
Image from blockchain.com
Technically, all this information can be found on any fully validating node. It’s just less intuitive and requires some technical knowledge. The average Joe will not acquire that knowledge.
So, improve the UI and UX. Add the interface to the block explorer sites on top of the node application. Take it a step further. Let users see how many nodes they’re transferring data to, how many blocks they’ve helped validate so far, any temporary chain splits. Simpler. More interactive. And yet effortlessly. I’m sure there will be many ideas to create a fun user interface and UX based on the blockchain.
And UI and UX are not only important for increased decentralization. They can change the very way people get into Bitcoin.
For the sake of illustration, here is what I imagine the typical path of someone getting into Bitcoin:
Hears about cryptocurrencies as a way to create fiat → gets into altcoins → gets into Bitcoin → interested in Bitcoin → goes down the rabbit hole → believes in Bitcoin → sets up a validating node.
This road is just one of many. But here’s my point: most of the time setting up a node is pretty much what happens late .
Here’s what an improved and intuitive node UI and UX can change that path to:
Hears about cryptocurrencies as a way to create fiat → decides to install a Bitcoin validating node to get a taste of crypto’s value proposition → learns through interacting with the blockchain → maybe even has fun → interested in Bitcoin → believes in Bitcoin → tells more people to install a validating node → spreads the word; process loops.
A validating node is an open invitation from Bitcoin to new people, requiring zero risk taking. UI and UX improvements will market it as such. They will spread learning via interaction with the Bitcoin network. Education will come straight from the blockchain. After all, videos and articles can only do so much!
Here are a few more UI and UX benefits:
It attracts non-technical people to Bitcoin. Yes, Bitcoin is the most decentralized cryptocurrency on the planet. But the people running validating nodes are still a limited set drawn largely from tech and finance communities. Let’s bring people from other communities too. An immediate thought is that NFT designers move to work on Bitcoin’s UI and UX.
They reduce the inherent risk of sites with centralized block explorers.
This will publicize Bitcoin, the payment system. You can argue about the Bitcoin currency, but the Bitcoin payment system is incredibly difficult to refute, even through the lens of mainstream economics.
At this point, it is worth mentioning that increased decentralization can potentially lead to certain disadvantages as well. Typical problems of democracy. Decentralization among technocrats also has its advantages. But that is another discussion.
The point is: we need to talk more about this! Much of the world still deeply misunderstands Bitcoin. The fact that the “Bitcoin is bad for the climate” argument has gained so much traction is painful evidence. And even we Bitcoiners, all at very different depths of the rabbit hole, can benefit from easier interactions with the blockchain.
So talk about this in your Telegrams, Discords and of course on Twitter. Is it feasible? Does that make sense? Is it a waste of time? Is it actively being worked on?
Let’s go back to the story from the beginning of this piece:
Your baby girl is fiddling with her laptop and she yells “Wow!” and “Oh!” You walk away and see a new block being added to a chain of blocks in front of it, in real time. You see one chain split into two, until the chain on top gets longer and longer and the chain below disappears in flames. Your girl claps.
Now, folks, a vision is worth chasing.
This is a guest post by Ram. Opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.
