I dont see why this should be blocked anymore than ASICs were. If it works then eventually everyone will use this process and "standard" ASICs would be obsolete. Just like FPGAs, GPUs and CPUs.
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Good point. I guess I was focused more on the tech than the idea of a patent.
Yeah, I think that is the real issue why people are questioning whether to restrict this or not.
(BTW this is the first I have heard of this new tech, so I don't know if OP story is real, but assume so.)
I don't know what the correct answer or course of action would be, but I believe that mining should
stay competitive between many different groups as long as possible. Something like this could wipe
out the ability to properly protect the network, placing it totally into the hands of the few.
This new tech can be compared to when man split the atom. It can lead to innovation, but also devastation.
For the sake of the network and the future, I think (uninformed opinion) it should be a restricted use.