And how about this one:

UNEDITED POST: Identity as Digital Currency

Social media affords us unique opportunities in matters of digitized assets. Consider the times when you're required to show identification. Integrating identity with digital currency frees up a lot of processes. Consumer behavior, networking and even logistics can benefit.

Critical challenges will be faced. To underscore some of these, this article explores emerging blockchain solutions and a recent Microsoft patent. It's important to remember that digital assets and cryptocurrencies diverge from what has become commonly termed digital currency. Most existing solutions are merely representations of physical money.

Decentralized vs. Centralized Blockchain Solutions

Blockchain was initially developed to be a decentralized technology. Many crypto users would argue that any system that’s not completely decentralized shouldn’t be called blockchain. Some high profile organizations have been known to adopt blockchain technology with the granting of certain privileges to selected participants.

Even by employing parts of a blockchain, isolated networks can improve existing operations that involve things like international supply chains. However, such quasi-decentralized blockchain alternatives still designate controls through a converging point of failure.

Consider Amazon's effort to provide both centralized (Amazon Quantum Ledger Database [QLDB]) and decentralized (Amazon Managed Blockchain [AMB]) 'blockchain' solutions. QLDB is a fully managed database, while AMB seems to strive to provided services to help consumers manage their own blockchain.

The key is in the keys.
If at any point, an Amazon-serviced dChain (decentralized chain) requires users to hand over their keys, a (centralized) vector of attack would've been created. Other solutions, like that which Facebook proposed (Libra), limit participation based on how "well-capitalized" and the reputation of its participants [see Designated Dealers].

A key factor in the success of blockchain resides in decentralization where participants can directly trade with each other.

Technology needed to be innovated for this to develop as a trusted system. Large organizations realized the networking and logistical advantages of streamlining access to aspects of their accounting practices. It’s proven to save time, effort and infrastructure when it comes to coordinating human resources and interacting with foreign/external databases.

Microsoft ‘Blockchain’ R&D

Microsoft was one of the first centralized organizations to offer blockchain services through its Azure cloud computing. Amazon, IBM, Alibaba, and now the government of China are among the others.

Kevin Helms reported on the Microsoft crypto patent for Bitcoin.com. He discussed how human activities such as brain waves and physiological processes could be used to interact with search engines and ads. Helms brings light to Microsoft’s attempt to interact with the unconscious behavior of consumers.

Body activity data has already been used to identify posture, walking styles and gate activity. Microsoft could use their patent in conjunction with artificial intelligence, video, and even augmented reality to assign actions to specified digital assets. The user (person who undertook the action) should of course be the owner of that asset. Microsoft’s role could be like the person who supplied the ink to the writer. You can find a copy of the patent here:

https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2020060606&tab=PCTBIBLIO

Notice how oddly general much of the patent is written. There are practical reasons why this might be. The first and most obvious to those in the cryptocurrency/blockchain industry are server-based:

• Blockchain was invented, i.e. Bitcoin, as a decentralized way to value and trade digital assets. Companies, like Microsoft, Amazon, and China’s Alibaba profit from the centralization of data housed in servers.
• A distributed program, aka Bitcoin, can be run (and validated) by all participants of a network. Centralized servers design programs to coordinate with incoming data and then communicate their findings and privileges.
• Essentially, there's an additional (beyond fueling [i.e. Ether] transactions) cost incurred in a centralized server system that's equivalent to paying a surcharge to deliver a package. Bitcoin includes this built into its design as part of asset transactions.
• The philosophical differences of development and the underlying incentives offer reasons why Microsoft needs to broadly design key aspects of their patent. A critical issue will invariably be how Microsoft uses the word ‘cryptocurrency’.

A Bit about Digital Assets

Alternatives to blockchain may re-designate database assignments that alter how asset holders perceive their ownership rights. There may be revocable privileges enjoyed by the issuer that participants of decentralized cryptos like Bitcoin and Ethereum do NOT encounter.

Cryptocurrencies are digital assets in and of themselves as per their definition. The “currency” part refers to the capacity to be freely exchanged. The “crypto” part empowers a single network participant (and no one else) to control how a designated asset is transacted.

There’s certainly room in the blockchain/cryptocurrency industry for patented technology. Though, any time a server company is involved as anything but a facilitator, users should exercise caution.

Microsoft’s body activity patent seems too broad as it stands now. Body activity is already employed in security cameras, like airport terminals, and broad surveillance. It would seem that Microsoft is merely setting a precedent for anticipated legal battles.

SCENARIO: Privacy Issues in a Public Setting

Consider the issue of privacy. Now imagine you and your family and friends are out enjoying an event. Microsoft technology is capturing the concert, carnival, or picnic through a camera that you happen to walk by. An easy way in which Microsoft could compensate people caught in their camera’s eye would be to distribute a set amount of tokens to all who were seen at the event. The attendees would be responsible for claiming their cryptocurrency. Now, Microsoft could freely publish the event and all related activities could be monetized via cryptocurrency designations. All contributors and spectators caught on camera could be awarded through AI-based social media engagement, graphical programs or other means.

Devoid of Microsoft designating a set amount of crypto for consumer engagement/activity, users could more easily take legal action in matters of privacy violations. In the example outlined above, it seems that Microsoft could get away with a simple notification that the event is being monitored. Any compensations would be predetermined at a fair market value based upon the cryptocurrency issued. The burden on users who wish to maintain their trade independence would be in claiming their compensation while simultaneously empowering Microsoft operations.

Mined vs. Issued

Cryptocurrencies are meant to be decentralized. They are not issued, but mined in some way. That is, users participate in their creation before even completing transactions. This ensures the birth of a fair market from the very beginning. Issued cryptocurrencies are inherently biased. It’s a challenge for server companies to operate in a world where distribution is built into the programming of a cryptocurrency.

Welcome to the battle for digital assets!

Imagine a world where this battle has been settled. Now all new digital assets operate as fairly as items grown by the farmer or carved by the crafter. Those who were once intermediaries (like Microsoft would become facilitators whose value is either pre-mined (bought) or programmed into new digital assets.

More about the Microsoft Patent

Note that the patent specifically states “... in the mining process of a cryptocurrency system...”.

• A cryptocurrency is some(unique)thing that exists in digital space. Blockchain technology is a system of programs.
• Plans designed to ensure the decentralized mining process of a blockchain system might specifically indicate 'user-mined cryptocurrencies'.

The word “system” at the end of the Mircosoft patent statement lends uncertainty as to whether the company grasps the concept of a cryptographically-secured asset vs. that of an administratively-issued digital currency. Essentially, if an administrator maintains the rights over the cryptographic security of a digital asset, then the users will never directly complete transactions; and is thus, not a P2P system. Additionally, any such transaction could be made simpler if the administrator (through a centralized server) simply deducted the assets from either side of their own private ledger system without the charade.

Special Thanks to Calvary Community Church for Inspiring this Article

I'd been meaning to explore Microsoft’s recent involvement in blockchain. Inspiration came upon listening to last Sunday’s service at Calvary Community Church. The portion of the patent that repeats '6 and 0' three times would not be as concerning had it been found exploring the sea of all available patents. However, considering the high profile of the Microsoft corporation and thinking about how relatively easy it would be for the Goliath of tech to bring about some of the warnings outlined by the Bible [Revelation 13], it is worth mentioning.

B-o-B : KJV Bible on the Blockchain:
one verse at a time

In recent years, there has been chatter of preserving the Bible on blockchain. Makes sense since it is the most read and valued book in human history. Liberating its digital publication from potential manipulation via a single vector of attack/failure ensures that the Word remains untainted and fully witnessed online. Furthermore, we could all serve as preservationists by simply maintaining a copy and even in validating the network with the underlying smart programming used in its transmission. Below are a couple of projects that seem to bear fruit:

• https://www.stateofthedapps.com/dapps/our-bible
• - https://www.ourbibleapp.com/
• https://whitewalr.us/2020/biblepay-blockchain-verses.html
• - https://www.biblepay.org/

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
_{- 2 Timothy 3:16}

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