Not enough discussion about the issues in mining; why is there a stratum v2 that’s being proposed / what are the problems it aims to solve, and what are some of the logistical issues that miners must deal with pools (what type of pools, who runs them, how do you even create a pool, how does one attract miners to a pool to begin with, risks, etc.). 

Another area i don’t think gets much attention is the process by which code is approved - and actually added to - the next version of bitcoin core.  It’s a bit techy, but very important.  Who are the people / devs that hold the keys to even add / commit code to the next version - who appointed them, how did they get it, what happens if they aren’t around or go rogue.  Commiting code, and merging to a git branch for release to the public requires some level of human intervention.  So…who is that exactly?  And why?  Along these same lines, what’s the plan if github itself becomes corrupt (not so much from a technical perspective, but from a legal or legislative one should an event occur).  There’s a million copies of bitcoin core - got it.  So what do the tens of thousands of node operators do when github is gone - are they all aligned on plan B and C?  Where do bitcoin core devs now go to continue development? 

These topics need more coverage, as they underpin how bitcoin works.  The ‘it’s on the internet and open source’ isn’t a good enough explanation - sorry, doesn’t cut it.  Need to dig into the mechanics and logistics.  For anyone that’s managed a software repo or devs - coupled with an extremely dispersed user and dev base - if your code repo becomes hosed, or there no longer exists people who had signing/commit authority to build a new release - you’ve got a big problem on your hands if you dont have a very well thought out plan B and C. 

Perhaps there exist mitigations for this and if so, great; what is it?  If not, then this is a risk thst needs to be delt with - quickly.  As bitcoin grows, so too will the responsibility to keep bitcoin core releases….releasing. With hundreds of billions, then trillions at stake, these are not unreasonable questions.  

Thanks for reading.  BCB is a great podcast, really enjoy the content. 

 I’d like to second the idea of learning more about code approvals. Who can commit code to bitcoin core? Who is funding them? 

 I too am super interested in how this thing could get forked. And why we have core devs. This thing doesn’t need fixing.