![crayons-627895_1280.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVxREtuUEdUSzYJdgL7E4Pvg54d6YoU1XR8GYunJnEqr4/crayons-627895_1280.jpg)
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Each and every second, we decide on stuff. Most of the time, unconsciously, but we take decisions every single second. 

These decisions are shaping our future.

For instance, if I choose not to show up to work today, this decision will generate consequences. Maybe I will skip on tasks and come sort of what I have to do at the end of the month, hence, I will get a smaller paycheck. Or maybe I will discover something so important about my work, that will make my life so much easier, allowing me to do more in less time, hence, I will get a bigger paycheck. I might get laid off, or I might get a promotion. Either way, there will be _consequences_.

Now, here comes the mind blowing part.

Once the effects of these consequences get real, I _cannot change the outcome_. I cannot go back and change my choice, thus creating a different outcome. Once I'm laid off, I'm laid off. Once I'm promoted, I'll stay promoted. There might be other decisions that will continue to influence my life, but they will be _after_ the consequences of my choice to not show up for work produced effects.

Sounds familiar? Not yet? Ok, I'll write it down in plain English.

## Once a transaction has been published in the blockchain, you can't change it.

Now you get it?

I know it sounds obvious for us, who are pretty much blockchain afficionados, but only because we accustomed our minds to this concept for quite a while. We find it natural. That's the way it is: once published, it can't be reversed.

But the traditional way of creating and storing transactions, from a technical point of view, wasn't like this all the time. Transactions were traditionally kept in relational databases, where every row of every table could be modified (provided you have enough privileges for that). In a blockchain, no matter how many privileges you have, you cannot change the past, or you will generate a _hard fork_. 

In other words, the history you try to create from that moment on, will be different from the history generated from the general _consensus_.

Each blockchain (I'm talking about real ones, not about [scams](https://steemit.com/steemit/@dragosroua/the-bs-check-list-for-spotting-scam-cryptocurrencies)) is actually a _common reality shared by all the people involved in that blockchain_. It may not be obvious to us (because we're still confused about the hype and about the potential financial  ROI) but for the first time in known history, we're mimicking reality in a _consensus generated activity_. The way we organize ourselves around these blockchains is so powerful and so viral, because it's pretty much like life itself.

I would dare to say that this is even more powerful because it creates a layer of shared, identical memories. I may have a choice today and I may experience its consequences, but my hardware and software, as a human being, is inherently limited. So at some point _I will forget I did this_. Or my mind will create an alternate representation (alternative facts?) and it will transform the decision to comply with my current expectations. In other words, even if the actual effects of my decisions are not changeable, my mind _can trick me into believing something else_. 

But that's not possible with the blockchain. The effects of our shared consensus will stay in the blockchain for ever (or for as long as that blockchain will be operational). 

_Everybody will share the same consequence_.

Once we agree on something, it stays like this. And it will stay like this for as long as we will have that _common memory_.

In all honesty, it never dawned upon me that we're creating such a powerful metaphor with this apparently strange and geeky activity, and I may be rambling a lot. 

Thoughts?

image source - [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/en/crayons-colors-art-zip-627895/)
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_I'm a serial entrepreneur, blogger and ultrarunner. You can find me mainly on my blog at [Dragos Roua](http://dragosroua.com) where I write about productivity, business, relationships and running. Here on Steemit you may stay updated by following me @dragosroua._
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***
<center>_You can also vote for me as witness here:
https://steemit.com/~witnesses_</center>
***
_If you're new to Steemit, you may find these articles relevant (that's also part of my witness activity to support new members of the platform)_:
* [Rewards: Were Does The Money Come From?](https://steemit.com/steemit/@dragosroua/steemit-newbie-faq-rewards-were-does-the-money-come-from)
* [Netiquette: How To Avoid Being A Steem Douche?](https://steemit.com/steem/@dragosroua/steemit-newbie-faq-netiquette-how-to-avoid-being-a-steem-douche)
* [Witnesses: What Are They And Why Should You Care?](https://steemit.com/steemit/@dragosroua/steemit-newbie-faq-witnesses-what-are-they-and-why-should-you-care)
* [How Can I Mine Steem And What CPU / GPU Power Do I Need For That?](https://steemit.com/steemit/@dragosroua/steemit-newbie-faq-how-can-i-mine-steem-and-what-cpu-gpu-power-do-i-need-for-that)