Update on the Great Consensus Cleanup Revival

The discussion revolves around the consideration of worst-case scenarios in blockchain validation times, especially concerning Bitcoin mining and security measures against potential attacks. It highlights a nuanced view on handling worst-case scenarios not just from an end-user perspective but also from the standpoint of miners who play a crucial role in maintaining the network's integrity. The distinction between what constitutes a concern for end-users versus miners is underscored, with a specific emphasis on economically viable attacks rather than mere theoretical extremes.

An intriguing aspect of this analysis involves using real-world tests to evaluate the impact of proposed mitigations on validation times. For instance, a functional test conducted on a Dell XPS 15 9520 laptop equipped with an i5-12500H processor revealed that current worst-case validation times could reach up to 120 seconds. However, under certain mitigations, this time could be reduced significantly to 10 seconds for blocks containing up to 2500 potentially executable signature operations (sigops) per transaction. This finding suggests that while the theoretical worst case might present a daunting challenge, practical solutions exist that can substantially reduce risks without necessitating excessive resource expenditure from miners.

Furthermore, the discussion delves into the economics of attacks, particularly how the cost and effort required to launch an attack – as exemplified by the necessity to prepare 89 blocks ahead of an attempt – might serve as a deterrent against such actions. This economic perspective adds another layer to the security considerations, indicating that the feasibility of attacks not only depends on technical capabilities but also on the financial implications for the attacker.

In essence, the conversation encapsulates a comprehensive view on balancing security concerns with practicality and economic rationality within the context of Bitcoin development. It underscores the importance of considering both the worst-case scenarios and the realistic bounds of economically viable attacks in shaping strategies to safeguard the network against potential threats.