bitcoin-dev

Adding New BIP Editors

Adding New BIP Editors

Original Postby Antoine Riard

Posted on: September 19, 2024 07:47 UTC

The discussions surrounding the updates to BIP 2 highlight several critical observations and suggestions regarding the scope, governance, and historical context of Bitcoin Improvement Proposals (BIPs).

One key point raised concerns the definition of the BIPs repository's scope, which is currently centered around supporting and expanding the utility of Bitcoin. It is argued that this definition should not rigidly confine Bitcoin's mission solely to currency aspects, given Satoshi Nakamoto's broader vision that encompasses a wide array of functionalities beyond simple signature verification. This viewpoint is supported by referencing the diverse range of topics covered in past BIPs, including those addressing scalability issues, mining decentralization, and fungibility, such as BIP 431's impact on coin fungibility through policy semantics encoded in transactions.

Another significant aspect brought up is the concern over the term "mission" in describing Bitcoin's purpose, which may imply an eschatological objective and potentially lead to divisive fundamentalism within the community, reminiscent of past conflicts like the block size wars. The suggestion to remove or reconsider the use of "mission" aims to avoid such divisiveness and acknowledges the technical and cultural richness of Bitcoin's history, which can provide guidance in the absence of consensus.

The email also touches upon the process of handling off-list BIP-related correspondence, suggesting that it be discouraged except for specific scenarios, such as security clarifications, due to potential drawbacks including delays in administrative tasks. Instead, promoting transparency through public communication channels is recommended.

Regarding the nomination of BIP editors, the need for a clear, public process is highlighted, especially in light of past criticisms regarding the slow pace of certain editorial decisions, such as those related to the taproot activation. Learning from these experiences could improve community satisfaction with how BIPs are managed.

Lastly, the message underscores the importance of acknowledging the origins of the BIP process, credited to Amir Taaki in September 2011, and the contributions of libbitcoin to the ecosystem. This acknowledgment serves both as a tribute to historical figures in Bitcoin's development and as a reminder of the ongoing need for technical expertise and defense against misinformation within the community.