it scales in layers with the BTC blockchain being the settlement layer, or we up the block size ala BSV.
Such woud seem the fundamental dichotomy, yes.
What I am saying is when we do it the latter way it is going to be the realm of the super powerful to keep up with it enough to run nodes...
Not today. Certainly, it is well within the purview of insubstantial computers with good internet connections to do so for BSV today. At some time in the future, yes. Hobbyists will end up dropping off.
But that is not A Bad Thing. I mean, it's a tradeoff. Sure, its...
nice if everyone is trivially able to validate the chain. But at what price? Demonstrably, so-called second layer solutions were not ready in time to stave off Blockalypse I. Nearly four years later, they still are not ready to stave off a potential Blockalypse II. (Of course, with none of the second layer solutions of which I am aware transacting on chain, they are completely invisible to the so-called 'validators' anyhow, though that's a separate discussion.)
But perhaps more germane... Humanity muddled along for one or two dozen thousand years with no discernible increase in standard of living. It is only in the last few centuries when
specialization of labor has allowed us to rise out of the muck of scarcity into a stratified realm of (relative) abundance. Do you insist on developing and building your own automobile? How about a semiconductor chip? Do you think everyone should design their own computer? Build their own fab to crank out the chips? One only need refer to the seminal essay 'I, Pencil' to see the folly therein. Why would the maintenance of the financial system be the
one thing that is the
enforced domain of the lowest common denominator?
I say they should not. The system should grow to accommodate demand. Those that are good at validation will remain validators. That are not will fall by the wayside, and find other things to do. Things more matched to their unique set of gifts. There is nothing wrong -- and everything right -- with that.
and we coalesce into a system worse than the current one.
B does not follow A. At least not without an explanation as to how A necessarily leads to B.
I think, going by that concept as a guideline, there would not be a need for BTC in the first place.
(Central) banks are highly specialized and extremely good at creating money out of thin air. Then why come up with BTC and then also even include this message in the Genesis block? Looks like someone did indeed want to build his own automobile. Which makes me wonder - by following your line of reasoning - why you became involved with BTC anyway, since the specialists had already covered the financial side of things with their expertise...
Maybe the line for specialization of labour will have to be redrawn? How about those 3-D printers? Do you think, global supply chains will remain exactly as they are/used to be?