I don't have much programming knowledge but after going through so many resources related to spam issue, here is my attempt to answer some of their questions in very simple language.
Feel free to share with other plebs if you like it.
1> How are fees calculated for transactions on the Bitcoin network?
Fees are calculated based on the amount of data in a transaction, not the amount of #bitcoin being moved. Each byte of data in a transaction requires a certain fee to be included in a block.
2> What is arbitrary data and why would it be considered spam?
Arbitrary data, or "arb data," refers to data that is not directly related to a #bitcoin transaction. When the fees for including this data are higher than the value being moved, it doesn't make economic sense and is likely spam.
Example: Imagine someone sending a bitcoin transaction with a 1 KB message attached, paying a $10 fee to do so, while only moving $1 worth of bitcoin. This would be considered arbitrary data and spam.
3> How can you disincentivize the insertion of arbitrary data (spam) into the Bitcoin network?
You can disincentivize arbitrary data insertion by implementing filters in your #bitcoin node. These filters can stop relaying transactions that contain unnecessary data (aka spam).
4> How can you disincentivize the insertion of arbitrary data (spam) into the #bitcoin network AS A MINER?
Miner(s) can disincentivize this behavior by sending your hash power to @ocean_mining
since they are the only single mining pool who let miners choose multiple templates. They charge minimal to no fee if you decide to mine with them with spam/data free template(s).
5>How can I apply filters in my #bitcoin node?
You need to run Bitcoin Knots on your computer instead of Bitcoin Core. Knots has all the required filters you need to stop spam relaying through your node.
6>What are the types of spam on the #bitcoin network?
There are several types of spam like stamps, inscriptions & runes.
Bitcoin Knots default settings only filter stamps and inscriptions.
7> How can I filter runes from my #bitcoin node?
You need to set datacarriersize = 0 in your Bitcoin Knots if you want to prevent runes relaying from your node to other nodes.
8>Why can't you completely fix the problem of spam, but only reduce it?
Spam cannot be completely fixed because it follows all the protocol rules, similar to email spam. However, As I mentioned before, it can be reduced by running Bitcoin Knots instead of #bitcoin core and sending your hash power to OCEAN (npub1qtv…7dze)
Example: Just like email spam filters can catch most spam but not all, Bitcoin filters can reduce spam but not eliminate it entirely.
9> What is Ordinal Protocol?
Ordinal is just protocol which gives ARBITRARY number to the inscriptions, or any other spam inserted into the mined block. Ordinal doesn’t exist on the bitcoin blockchain. In short, it’s just ARBITRARY numbering system for inscriptions and other spams (i.e. runes) which lives outside of the #bitcoin blockchain and it has nothing do with #bitcoin.
In fact, it also affects the fungibility and privacy feature of the #bitcoin (in a bad way).
10> What is the difference between Filtering and Censoring?
Filtering is a node's individual choice to reject certain transactions from relaying based on its mempool policy. Censoring, on the other hand, is the network-wide suppression of transactions enforced by a consensus.
For example, Best Buy not allowing someone to use their AMEX credit card but with allowing him to use MasterCard credit card is filtering. Best Buy allowing some people to shop but not others is censoring. - bobburnett (npub1f7p…vg6q)
11> What is the difference between a policy change and a consensus change?
A policy change, such as adjusting filters, is an individual #bitcoin node's decision and does not affect the overall Bitcoin consensus rules. A consensus change, such as altering the Blocksize limit, requires agreement from all nodes and can split the network if not universally adopted.
12> How does spam affect the cost of running your own node?
Spam transactions increase the size of the blockchain and the UTXO set, requiring more storage space and processing power to run a full #bitcoin node. This increases the cost of running a node, as operators need to invest in larger hard drives and more powerful hardware.
13> How does spam affect the cost and time of performing an Initial Block Download (IBD) on your own node?
Spam transactions increase the size of the blockchain, which means that new nodes performing an IBD will need to download and process more data. This increases both the time and bandwidth costs of the IBD process, making it more difficult for users in regions with slower internet speeds or limited bandwidth to participate in the network.
Think about those plebs who live in a places where they don't have good internet speed and can't afford Starlink subscription.
14> Can spam be used to attack the Bitcoin network?
Yes, spam can be used as a form of attack on the #Bitcoin network. By flooding the network with a large number of spam transactions, attackers can attempt to overload nodes, increase transaction fees, and degrade the user experience. Such attacks can be motivated by a desire to disrupt the network, discredit #Bitcoin, or promote alternative cryptocurrencies (aka scam).
15> How does spam impact the decentralization of the #Bitcoin network?
Spam can impact the decentralization of the Bitcoin network by increasing the cost of running a full node. As the blockchain grows larger due to spam transactions, the storage and bandwidth requirements for running a node increase. This can make it more difficult for individuals to participate in the network, potentially leading to a concentration of node operation among those with greater resources.
16> What if spammers or someone who is neutral on the whole spam war tell you that filtering does not work and spam will eventually relay through nodes who are running #bitcoin core instead of @BitcoinKnots
and gets included in the mined block & you will eventually end up storing those worthless jpegs on your node?
You can always tell them that spam can't be fixed but it can always be reduced by the ways I explained earlier.
You may have seen that some spammers are approaching directly to some mining pools to include their transactions. This would be called Out of Band Payments (OOB). If filtering did not work as it intended then they would not have gone directly to mining pools to include their transaction. This is the perfect example that shows filtering works and disincentivizes this behavior.
17> Please search Marathon's slipstream service. It's OOB services for those who want to add any spam into #bitcoin blockchain.
Marathon is one of the biggest bad actors in #bitcoin mining pools community. Since they started advertising OOB services, you can easily identify who are bad actors and who are not.
This would not have been possible without applying filters on the node. I am hoping to find out more bad actors in the #bitcoin community in the future so, in case if we get into state coordinated attack, it would be easy to identify who can coordinate with state(s) to damage the #bitcoin network.
18> Not to mention whenever you post something about filtering spam, all pro spam community (who are probably scamming people into buying "rare sats") will attack you for posting in favor of filters.
If filters were ineffective then these people wouldn't be attacking you so, whoever is not very knowledgeable on the spam issue, PLEASE DO NOT FALL FOR THE PSYOP WHICH IS "THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT SPAM".
19> There are some things in the life that you can't completely fix it but you can always reduce it and sometimes it makes total sense to reduce it instead of not doing anything about it.
#Bitcoin teaches you exactly the same thing.
What makes #bitcoin antifragile?
Bitcoin is antifragile because its participants actively defend the network against attacks and adapt to new challenges. This is demonstrated by the way Bitcoiners have responded to any attacks in the past, implementing filters and policies to mitigate their impact.
20> I hope you find this post very informative and please share with other plebs who are not well aware about the spam and please ask them to run #bitcoin knots instead of #bitcoin core on their node.
cc GrassFedBitcoin (npub1wnl…n3wr) Luke Dashjr (npub1lh2…a9nk) giacomozucco (npub1au2…t53j)