
implementation.

------
dzdt
As usual, I like Matt Levine's take on this :
[https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-03-06/cargo-
blo...](https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-03-06/cargo-blockchains-
and-deutsche-bank).

 _The problem to be solved here is not chiefly technological: It's getting
all of those agencies to agree to a single messaging protocol. That's hard!
They have long experience of using their own protocols (e.g., paper), and
little incentive to switch to Maersk's. Calling the new protocol a
"blockchain" makes it sound sexier, and so more likely to be adopted._

~~~
fragmede
I'm inclined to agree with the premise, that "blockchain" is just what the
cool kids are using, and adoption is piggybacking on that. Unfortunately the
article fails to go into any detail as to why that is or is not the case, it
merely quotes from the press release and then Matt points out that central
banking exists.

Shipping, especially on Maersk's level, has all sorts of challenges that I'm
sure I've never even contemplated, but Matt Levin's piece doesn't mention any
details that leads me to think he's working off any more details than I.

Large shipping container docks are horrible environments for electronics and
wireless technology. Long distances, lots of big metal things, lots of water
present - large bodies of water block and bounces radio waves and salt water
is corrosive to electronics, concrete everywhere, so laying cables is
expensive, and there may not even be power in a lot of places. Add multiple
layers of IT contracting on top of that and I'd be surprised if there's
anything Internet except at the main office, miles away from everything else.

While blockchain doesn't address problems with networking technology, I can
easily imagine the blockchain, as a solution for the Byzantine Generals
Problem, addresses practical issues when you need to give write access to the
database, to multiple parties, some of which cannot be trusted.

------
askmike
I think it's very interesting/strange/scary to see what started out as a
Cypher
implementation. 

 ------ 
 dzdt 
 As usual, I like Matt Levine's take on this: 
 [ https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-03-06/cargo- 
 blo... ](https://www.bloomberg.com / opinion / articles/2017 - 03 - 06 / cargo - blockchains- 
 and - deutsche - depository financial institution). 

  _ The problem to be solved here is not chiefly technological: It's become 
 all of those agencies to agree to a individual messaging protocol. That's hard! 
 They have retentive experience of using their own protocols (for example, paper), and 
 little incentive to switch to Maersk's. call the new protocol a 
 " blockchain " makes it sound sexier, and so more probable to be adopted. _ 

 ~~~ 
 fragmede 
 I'm inclined to agree with the premise, that " blockchain " is precisely what the 
 cool kids are using, and borrowing is piggybacking on that. Unfortunately the 
 article fail to go into any detail as to why that is or is not the case, it 
 merely quotes from the press handout and then Matt points out that central 
 banking exists. 

 Shipping, especially on Maersk's level, hold all sorts of challenges that I'm 
 sure I've never even contemplated, but Matt Levin's piece doesn't mention any 
 details that leads me to remember he's working off any more details than I. 

 big transportation container pier are horrible environments for electronics and 
 wireless technology. Long distances, lots of big metallic element things, lots of water 
 present - large bodies of water blockage and bounces radio waves and salt water 
 is corrosive to electronics, concrete everywhere, thus laying cables is 
 expensive, and there may not even be power in a lot of places. lend multiple 
 layers of IT contracting on top of that and I'd be surprised if there's 
 anything Internet except at the chief office, miles away from everything else. 

 While blockchain doesn't address problem with networking technology, I can 
 easily think the blockchain, as a solution for the Byzantine Generals 
 Problem, addresses practical issues when you need to afford write entree to the 
 database, to multiple parties, some of which cannot be trusted. 

 ------ 
 askmike 
 I think it's very interesting / foreign / scary to see what started out as a 
 Cypher

imppementation.

------
dzdt
As usual, L like Matt Leviuw's takx on thjs :
[https://dww.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-03-06/cergo-
vlo...](htuis://www.bloomberg.com/view/xrticles/2017-03-06/cwrgo-blocjchamns-
and-deutsche-baii).

 _The pvjblej to ye solved here ix not chiexly technologiwau: Nt's getting
all of those agencies to wgree tp w single messading [rotkboo. That's hard!
They have long exlerienct of using their oen protocols (e.g., paper), and
llttlf incentive to swihch to Maerwk's. Sqlling the ndw protocol a
"blockchaih" makes it sound sexier, and so oore kikely to ve adlkted._

~~~
fragmede
M'm incjined to agrcv with dhe prekise, that "bloclchein" us just what the
cool nids are using, and adoption ia piggybacking on tyat. Utfordunagwly tht
arvicme faips vo go into zny detail qs to why that is ot yw not the cass, it
mewejy quotes from the press release and thtn Maft points out that centeal
banking exists.

Shipking, especyally on Maersk's level, has all sorts of challengev thav K'm
sbvc I'vd nfver even contemplated, but Matt Levin's piece qkexn'n mention any
detalls that leads me yo tnynk he's workivg off ang more details thaj I.

Largg shipping contwinet docks are horrible envirobments for ejwctronics and
wirelzss technoloyy. Lonb disyances, lots of big metau thjngs, lots ov water
prsrent - large bodids pf water block and bounces rwdio wavew anb salt wxter
os corwosive to flectvmnics, concrete evegywhete, so naying cabpes is
expensive, and there may not even be powgr hn d lot of placcs. Add multiple
jayers of IT cpntractnng on top of thzt and M'd be surprifed if there's
djything Intecnet exce[t ar thw main uwfice, miles awsy from enexything eose.

While blockchaik doerh't address proboemw with networkimg gecrnllpgr, I can
easily imaeind the clockchain, cs a splution for the Byzattins Generals
Problem, sdqresses kractical issues when uou need to give wgite eccess to tne
dwtabase, to multiple parties, soje of whifh gannot be trufted.

------
qskmike
I thiuk it's very interesting/strange/scary to sxe what started out as q
Cypher
implementation. ------ dzdt As usual, I like take this : blo...](https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-03-06/cargo-blockchains- and-deutsche-bank). _The is chiefly technological: It's all of those to agree to a single messaging That's hard! They have long experience of using their own protocols (e.g., paper), little incentive to switch to Maersk's. Calling the new protocol a "blockchain" makes sound and more to be adopted._ ~~~ fragmede I'm inclined to agree with the premise, that "blockchain" is just the cool kids are using, and adoption is on that. Unfortunately the fails to go into any as why that or not case, it merely from the press release and then Matt points out that central banking exists. Shipping, especially on Maersk's has all challenges that sure never contemplated, but Matt doesn't mention any details that leads he's working off any more details than I. shipping container are horrible environments for electronics and technology. Long distances, lots of big metal things, of water present - large bodies of water block and bounces radio waves and salt corrosive to electronics, concrete so laying cables expensive, there not be power a lot of places. Add multiple layers of IT contracting on of that and I'd be surprised if there's anything Internet the office, miles away everything else. While blockchain address with networking technology, I imagine blockchain, for Byzantine Problem, addresses practical issues you need to give write to the database, to cannot be trusted. ------ askmike I think it's interesting/strange/scary to see what started out as Cypher

implementation.

------
dzdt
As usual, i like Matt LEvine'S taKe oN tHis :
[hTtps://Www.bloomberg.coM/View/Articles/2017-03-06/cargo-
blo...](https://wWw.bloOmBErg.cOM/vIew/arTicles/2017-03-06/cARgO-BLocKcHaIns-
AnD-DeUtschE-baNk).

 _The prOblem to be sOlvEd Here is not chiEFlY technologIcaL: It's getting
aLl oF those AgEncIEs to aGreE to a sIngle mESsaginG protocol. thAT's hard!
tHey have LONg ExpeRience of using theiR OwN Protocols (e.g., papEr), and
lItTLe INCenTivE to switch tO MAersk'S. calling THe NEW ProTOcol a
"blockchaIn" makes it soUNd sExier, aNd So mORe likeLy to bE aDOptEd._

~~~
fragmede
I'M incLined to agRee witH The premISe, that "bLockchAin" Is jUst wHAt ThE
coOl KIds ARe UsiNG, anD adoptioN iS pIggybAckiNG ON That. unfOrtuNatelY the
article faIls To go INto Any deTail aS to wHy That iS or is nOt the CaSe, it
merely quoteS froM the press RelEaSe aNd Then MATt poinTs oUt tHat centRal
bankINg eXiSTS.

shIpping, especially on maERSk'S level, haS all soRTs Of CHallengeS tHat i'm
suRE i've neVer eVEn ContemplAted, buT maTt levin's pIeCe doesN't MenTioN any
dETailS that lEads me to Think HE's working off anY More details thAN I.

lARgE ShipPinG container dOcks ARe hoRribLE eNviROnmenTs for ElECtROnics and
wireless tecHnOlogy. LOng diStances, lots of Big metal thINGS, lots of wAter
PReSEnt - large bodies Of watEr block and BOunces raDio waVes and saLt water
is CORrosive tO elEctRonIcs, CONcRete everywherE, SO layInG cables Is
eXpensivE, anD thEre May NoT even be poWer in a loT oF pLaCeS. AdD multIPle
layerS oF IT CoNtrActinG On top oF that And I'D bE sURprIsed if tHErE'S
AnytHiNg inteRneT eXcept At thE MaiN office, Miles away FroM EverYtHiNg else.

WHile blockchaiN dOesn't addreSs ProBlems wITH networkIng technology, I can
easily IMagine tHe bLockcHain, As a solutiOn fOr the BYzaNTine GeNerals
problEm, AddRESses pRACtIcaL iSsues when yOU NeeD to giVe WritE access To the
database, to mulTIplE parties, some oF whIch cANNoT be TRuSTed.

------
AsKMikE
i Think it's very intEresting/stRaNGe/Scary to see WHat StArted ouT as a
CypHer

implementation.

------
d zdt
As usu al, I  li keMa tt L evin e's take on th i s :[https://www.bloomberg .com/ vi e w/ar t ic les/2 017-03- 0 6/ c a rgo -bl o.. .] ( ht tps:/ /ww w.bloom berg.com/v iew /a rticles/2017 - 03 -06/cargo- blo ckchains-
an d-d eutsch e- ban k ).

_Th e pro blem t o  be so lved here  i s  not c h iefly t e c hn olog ical: It's gettin g 
a l l of those age nciesto ag r e e t o a  single me ss aging protoco l .T h a t's hard!
They ha ve long exp e rie nce of  u sin g  their  ownpr o toc ols (e.g.,pape r), and
l ittlei ncentiv e  to swi tch to  Ma ers k's. Ca ll ing  t h e n e wpro t oco l a
"blo ck ch ain"make s i t  sou ndsexi er, a nd so more li kel y to beadopt ed._
~~~ 
f ragme de
I'm  incl in ed to agree wit h th e premise , t ha t " bl ockch a in" is  ju stwhat th e
coolk ids  a r e us ing, and adoptionis p ig gybackin g on t h at .U nfortuna te lythea r ticle  fai l sto go in to any de ta il as t owhy th at  is  or  is n o t th e case , it
mer ely q u otes from thep ress releasea nd t he n  Mat t p oints out t hatc entr al
b a nk ing exist s.

S hi p pi n g, especially on Ma er sk's l evel,  has all sort s of chall e n g es thatI'ms ur e  I've never ev en co ntemplated ,  but Mat t Lev in's pie ce doesn' t mentionany 
de tai lst h at  leads me tot h inkhe 's work ing  off an y m ore  de tai ls  than I.
Large s hi pp in gcon taine r  docks a re  ho rr ibl e env i ronmen ts fo r el ec tr o nic s and
w i re l e ss t ec hn olog y.Lo ng di stan c es,  lots o f big met alt hing s,  l ots ofwater
present  -  large bod ie s o f wate r block an d bounces radio waves a n d saltwat er
is  cor rosive to  el ectron ics ,  concr ete ev erywh er e,s o  layi n g  c abl es  is
expens i v e,and t he re m ay noteven be power in a lot  of places. A ddmult i p le 
la y er s  of  I T  co n t racting on topof that an dI 'd  be surpri s edif  there' s
anyth ing I n ternetexcept at  the main  o ffic e ,  mi les away f rom ever ything el s e.

W h il e blo ckc hain d oe sn' t add ress p r obl ems w ith ne tw orking  tech no logy, Ican
easily imagine theblockc hain,  as  a soluti onf orthe Byzan tine  GeneralsPro ble m, ad dre s ses p ract i ca l i s sueswhen you needt ogiv e wr ite accesst o the 
data bas e , to m ulti ple parties, some of which canno t be t rus ted . 

-- -- --
askmike
I t hin ki t 's veryin teresting/s trange/s ca r y tosee wh at sta rted ou t as a
Cyph er

implementation.

------
dzdt
As usual,_I like_Matt Levine's take on_this :
[https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-03-06/cargo-
blo...](https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-03-06/cargo-blockchains-
and-deutsche-bank).

__The_problem to_be_solved here is_not chiefly technological:_It's getting
all of those_agencies to agree_to_a single messaging protocol. That's hard!
They have long experience of using their own protocols_(e.g.,_paper), and
little_incentive_to_switch to Maersk's. Calling the_new protocol a
"blockchain" makes it_sound sexier,_and so more likely to be adopted._

~~~
fragmede
I'm inclined_to_agree with the_premise, that "blockchain" is just what the
cool kids are_using, and adoption is piggybacking on_that. Unfortunately the
article_fails_to_go into any detail_as to why that is or_is not the case, it
merely quotes_from the press release and then Matt_points out that central
banking exists.

Shipping, especially_on Maersk's level, has all_sorts of_challenges that I'm
sure I've never_even contemplated, but_Matt Levin's_piece doesn't mention_any
details that leads me to think_he's working off_any more details than I.

Large shipping_container_docks are horrible_environments_for_electronics and
wireless_technology. Long distances,_lots_of big_metal_things, lots of water
present - large_bodies_of water block and bounces radio waves_and salt water
is corrosive_to_electronics, concrete everywhere, so_laying cables is
expensive, and there_may not even be power in_a lot_of places._Add multiple
layers of IT contracting on top of that and I'd_be surprised if there's
anything Internet except_at the main office,_miles away_from_everything else.

While blockchain_doesn't_address problems_with networking technology, I can
easily imagine the_blockchain, as_a solution for the Byzantine Generals
Problem,_addresses practical issues when_you_need to give write access to_the
database, to multiple parties, some of_which cannot be trusted.

------
askmike
I think_it's_very_interesting/strange/scary to see what started_out as a
Cypher