Quote from: shorena on August 03, 2014, 12:48:11 PM

Quote from: TheGambler on August 03, 2014, 11:42:35 AM

Quote from: shorena on August 03, 2014, 11:37:04 AM

Quote from: TheGambler on August 03, 2014, 11:31:37 AM

-snip-
Why have the past few months processed 6 blocks rapidly then had a massive gap between the next one? What happened to average 10 mins per block? Looking at this, 120 minutes between six blocks is 20 minutes per block average, which is double the expected time.

Its the average of ~~the last~~* 2016 blocks that count. Should that average result in 20 minutes the difficulty will be lowered.

*correction, its not actually checked every new block, so "the last 2016" is not correct.

what do 2016 blocks have to do with current confirmation times...and if the average is 20 minutes and the difficulty is lowered wouldn't it be EASIER to mine blocks?

Yes

Quote from: TheGambler on August 03, 2014, 11:42:35 AM

sort of contradicts it self doesn't it?

No, because that would also make it easier to find a new block, thus it will happen more often. Did you buy that account or did you just not pay attention the last 6 month?

It's called variance, you can't beat it. This is why block times are so irregular at times.