[BIP Proposal] Reduced Data Temporary Softfork

The email from onyxcoyote to Dathon addresses several critical aspects surrounding the proposed rule changes in the Bitcoin development community, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive analysis and collaboration. The sender suggests publishing an analysis or using a GitHub repository for collaborative assessment of the seven rule changes and their implications on various stakeholders. This suggestion stems from a lack of deep understanding regarding the potential use cases affected by each rule change. The analysis is proposed to include evaluations such as the percentage of transactions or fees that could be invalidated by a rule, which major protocols or use cases might be impacted, feedback or concerns received on specific rules, any consensus on the risk levels associated with specific rules, and possible overlaps or conflicts with other proposals within a one-year timeframe.

Furthermore, the email raises concerns about the activation process for these rule changes, particularly highlighting a significant disconnect in assumptions regarding miner or network support. Citing an Optech article, the writer points out that previous successful activations, such as Taproot, had garnered substantial miner support well before setting a flag day for activation. This historical precedent underscores the perceived shortness of the proposed timeline for communication, testing, and achieving consensus among miners.

Lastly, the message discusses apprehensions related to the reference implementation of the proposed changes. There's a concern that individuals might prematurely run the reference code, potentially leading to incompatibilities with the Bitcoin network and financial losses. The sender recommends adding a warning to discourage running the code before finalization or without securing the majority miner support, illustrating the risks of such premature actions. This advice reflects a cautious approach to ensure stability and security within the Bitcoin network amidst proposed updates.