Re: Question regarding the role of miners vs nodes in securing the network
You are mistaken. It is absolutely possible for a chain with less blocks to have more total proof of work.
Under normal circumstances it would be unusual and you aren't likely to ever see it happen, but in a scenario where someone is attempting to attack the network, the only reason they wouldn't TRY to create a chain with more blocks and less work is because they know that the nodes will ignore it.
The actual, real, rules as implemented result in nodes following the largest total proof of work regardless of number of blocks.
Under normal circumstances it would be unusual and you aren't likely to ever see it happen, but in a scenario where someone is attempting to attack the network, the only reason they wouldn't TRY to create a chain with more blocks and less work is because they know that the nodes will ignore it.
The actual, real, rules as implemented result in nodes following the largest total proof of work regardless of number of blocks.
So in your confusion,
Someone could make 1 block with a greater proof of work today that the combined 701172 blocks that bitcoin currently has.
I can tell you, you're wrong, but it seems to be some cult mentality blocking logic from getting thru.
Tell you what, you and anyone that believes you, get together and overwrite all of bitcoin chains and do it in 3 blocks.