EarthOL: Verifiable Human Contributions Replace Blockchain Computational Waste. → Research

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Briefing

Existing blockchain consensus mechanisms, like Proof-of-Work, incur immense computational waste, while even Proof-of-Stake lacks direct social value generation. Universal value assessment in decentralized systems is fundamentally challenging. EarthOL introduces a novel Proof-of-Human-Contribution (PoHC) protocol.

It replaces computational waste with verifiable human contributions within bounded domains, utilizing a multi-layered verification system, domain-specific criteria, and time-dependent validation. This new theory establishes a framework for human-centered consensus, enabling incentive-compatible, Byzantine fault-tolerant systems in specific high-consensus domains, thereby unlocking new avenues for sustainable and socially impactful blockchain architectures.

A sophisticated, cube-like electronic hardware module is depicted in sharp focus, showcasing intricate metallic plating and integrated circuit elements predominantly in silver, dark gray, and vibrant electric blue. This specialized unit, reminiscent of a high-performance ASIC miner, is engineered for intensive hash function computation vital to maintaining Proof-of-Work consensus mechanisms across blockchain networks

Context

Traditional blockchain consensus mechanisms, notably Proof-of-Work, rely on energy-intensive computation to secure the ledger, leading to significant environmental and resource inefficiencies. While alternatives like Proof-of-Stake mitigate energy use, they often fail to generate intrinsic social value from the consensus process itself. The broader challenge of achieving decentralized, universally agreed-upon value assessment, especially for human contributions, remained largely unsolved, often requiring centralized intermediaries or subjective, unverifiable metrics.

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Analysis

EarthOL’s Proof-of-Human-Contribution (PoHC) protocol fundamentally shifts the basis of consensus from computational puzzle-solving to verifiable human activity. It operates within “bounded domains,” meaning specific contexts where value assessment criteria can be clearly defined. The system employs a multi-layered verification process, incorporating domain-specific rules and time-dependent validation to ensure the integrity of human contributions.

Game-theoretic analysis and probabilistic modeling underpin its design, ensuring incentive compatibility and resilience against Byzantine faults. This mechanism directly integrates human input as the primary resource for network security and progression, rather than relying on abstract computational power or capital stake.

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Parameters

Core Concept → Proof-of-Human-Contribution (PoHC)
New System/Protocol → EarthOL
Key Author → Jiaxiong He
Verification System → Multi-layered verification
Analysis Methods → Game-theoretic analysis, Probabilistic modeling

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Outlook

This research opens new avenues for human-centered consensus mechanisms, particularly in applications where verifiable human effort holds intrinsic value, such as decentralized science, open-source development, or community governance. Future work will likely focus on expanding the definition and scope of “bounded domains,” refining domain-specific evaluation criteria, and developing more sophisticated incentive systems for validators and security specialists. Over the next 3-5 years, EarthOL’s principles could unlock real-world applications enabling fairer, more sustainable decentralized autonomous organizations and value networks, shifting blockchain’s resource consumption from raw computation to meaningful human engagement.

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Verdict

EarthOL fundamentally redefines blockchain consensus by establishing human contribution as a verifiable, value-generating primitive, paving the way for more sustainable and socially integrated decentralized systems.

Signal Acquired from → arXiv.org