Libertaria Open Problems: Uncharted Waters
Libertaria Open Problems
Status: ACTIVE RESEARCH
Purpose: Community discussion forum for unresolved architectural challenges
These are not bugs. These are uncharted waters. We document unknowns so the community can navigate them together.
1. $STASIS BOND STORAGE ALGORITHMS (UNSPECIFIED)
Problem: RFC-0620 ($STASIS Bond Schema) and RFC-0850 (Archive Negotiation Protocol) both reference storage algorithms and proof mechanisms, but no canonical set of approved algorithms has been defined at the protocol level.
Current State
RFC-0620 mentions:
- Storage proof mechanisms (implied)
- Thermodynamic cost anchoring
- Bond slashing on data loss
RFC-0850 specifies:
enum StorageProofType {
MerkleInclusion { root, path, leaf_index },
ProofOfRetrievability { challenge, response },
AnchorProof { chain, tx_id, block_height, merkle_proof },
MultiArchiveAttestation { attesters, signatures },
}
But no specification exists for:
- Minimum acceptable proof-of-retrievability algorithms (PoR)
- Challenge/response protocols (frequency, complexity, validation)
- Merkle tree construction standards (hash function, balancing, depth limits)
- Acceptable anchor chain standards (Bitcoin only? Kaspa? Chapter chains?)
Open Questions
| Question | Impact | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| What PoR algorithms are protocol-approved? | Archive Node interoperability | HIGH |
| What is the minimum challenge frequency? | Security vs. operational cost | HIGH |
| Can Archives use custom proof schemes? | Flexibility vs. standardization | MEDIUM |
| What happens if proof schemes are deprecated? | Long-term storage guarantees | HIGH |
| Should there be a “proof difficulty” standard? | Prevent weak Archives | HIGH |
2. REPUTATION ORACLE CONSENSUS (UNDEFINED)
Problem: RFC-0120 (Quasar Vector Lattice) describes reputation as “emergent from attestations,” but does not specify:
- How conflicting attestations are resolved
- The threshold for “sufficient reputation”
- Sybil resistance in reputation bootstrapping
- The decay function for stale attestations
Current State
The QVL is described as “ambient,” but computationally undefined.
Open Questions
- Is reputation global, Chapter-specific, or context-dependent?
- How do we prevent “reputation inflation” (mutual back-scratching)?
- What is the “right to be forgotten” in a permanent ledger?
- How do negative attestations (slashings) propagate?
3. CHAPTER MERGE/FORK PROTOCOLS (INCOMPLETE)
Problem: RFC-0200 (Chapter Genesis) specifies creation and exit, but not:
- How Chapters merge (federation expansion)
- How Chapters split amicably (fork without feud)
- Asset/reputation portability across merges
- Dispute resolution when forks disagree on history
Context
The “right to fork” is sacred. But forking without protocol leads to Balkanization.
Open Questions
- Should merged Chapters retain separate L2 governance?
- How do we prevent “fork spam” (malicious Chapter fragmentation)?
- What is the “genesis block” of a forked Chapter?
- Can a Chapter “un-merge” later?
Call for Contributions
These problems require community wisdom. The Core Team will not dictate solutions.
To propose a solution:
- Write an RFC draft
- Post to the technical forum
- Tag with
#open-problem-{number} - Await peer review
The best solutions will be canonized. The rest will be documented as “considered alternatives.”
These are not obstacles. These are invitations to build.