Posted by Matt Corallo
Jun 12, 2025/18:04 UTC
The discussion initiated by Harsha Goli on the effectiveness of sign-on letters within the context of Bitcoin development reveals several key insights into the complexities and variances in opinions among those involved. It is pointed out that such letters, while aiming to unify or represent a collective stance on certain issues, often fail to capture the nuanced perspectives of their signatories. For example, there's a discrepancy between signers who intend to release an "activation client" and those advocating for more focused research in the area, showcasing drastically different viewpoints under the same banner. This divergence extends to organizations that have signed the letter, which inherently cannot possess a monolithic view on technical decisions due to their makeup of individuals with varied opinions.
Furthermore, the discussion underscores the problematic nature of grouping diverse desires and expectations into a single document. Some signatories express an immediate want for specific technological implementations like CTV (CheckTemplateVerify) + CSFS, others voice concerns over Bitcoin's potential ossification and call for progress on any changes, while a different faction has particular demands they believe will be facilitated post-implementation of these features. This amalgamation of goals within one letter complicates the understanding of what the collective truly seeks, rendering the communication less effective.
An alternative approach suggested involves individual engineers and developers voicing their specific needs and plans regarding the use of CTV + CSFS. This method is deemed more impactful as it presents tangible, real-world applications and desires directly related to Bitcoin's development. It not only provides a clearer picture of the consensus landscape but also directly communicates to decision-makers about where they might best allocate their efforts. Such personalized expressions of intent are considered far more persuasive and beneficial for the advancement of Bitcoin than the broad, untargeted appeals made through sign-on letters.
TLDR
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