segOP potential BIP discussion

The concept of a pruneable proof of publication space presents an intriguing proposition for the future, particularly in its potential demand among rollups seeking economic efficiency in witness space utilization. However, the proposal's lack of incentives for adoption poses a significant barrier, primarily due to the economic implications of bytes incurring full costs (4WU), making it less attractive compared to existing alternatives. This aspect alone could deter potential users, especially when considering the cost benefits are crucial for rollups.

Furthermore, the mechanics of consensus and node synchronization within the proposed "recent window" framework raise questions about practical implementation. While the suggestion to mandate the presence of an extension block near the chain-tip without requiring nodes to download or verify it during Initial Block Download (IBD) aims to minimize additional burdens, it introduces concerns regarding the overall network's ability to remain in sync without compromising security or efficiency.

The assumption that such a mechanism would appeal to applications desiring the permanence, persistence, and replication provided by bitcoin transactional data, including graffiti-type payloads and meta protocols seeking archival layers for token ledgers, is critically examined. The critique suggests that this belief may be overly optimistic or misinformed, questioning the feasibility and actual utility of the proposed system for such applications.

In summary, while the idea of a pruneable proof of publication space carries potential merits for scaling bitcoin on higher layers, the proposal's current form faces challenges in incentive alignment, economic viability, and practical implementation concerns. These issues must be addressed to realize the envisioned benefits for specific use cases within the bitcoin ecosystem.