However, I keep coming up against one obstacle: the operational complexity of actually running a Lightning node. I'm no technical slouch, but as I read through guides on running a server, I come away with the strong impression that the process is not only onerous, but also incredibly accident-prone.
It's not that hard! You can just
follow my guide, which appears to me is very easy to follow.
For example, the need for watchtower services in addition to the main lightning node; the need to always be online and available or face penalties; the complexity of managing channels; restoring nodes (and funds!) from loss after unexpected shutdowns; etc.
You don't need a watchtower if you run your own node (maybe as a backup kind of deal). But the downsides you list is what is to be expected if you 'are your own bank' and do not delegate such duties to an institution like a bank. Sure, that's going to be less hassle and less work for you, but you'll have no financial independence and financial freedom like you have when 'doing everything yourself'.
That's essentially the price we pay for our freedom. A little less convenience and a bit of time and money for set up and maintenance.
The point of the Lightning Network is to fully realize the peer-to-peer cash vision of Bitcoin. Due to the blockchain's limited throughput, transaction fees are too high and transaction latencies far too slow.
But de facto the operations risks and difficulties of the Lightning Network serve as a comparable---though not identical---impediment to its use as a peer-to-peer payment network.
I don't think they're a big impediment honestly. They definitely impede high-frequency, especially small, transfers
much less than when using the blockchain directly. Because these are things that are actually
only possible in Lightning. You can actually
donate to podcasters minute by minute using Breez, for example. The same could be possible through a browser extension donating to a YouTube creator by the minute or by the second. Or on a new platform, like maybe
https://bitcointv.com/, which is part of the federated, distributed network called
Fediverse[url=http://. Like you mentioned, this could replace the jungle of ads that pays the internet today.
But to truly take the place of cash, everybody should be able to use it. Anybody can receive, keep, and pass on a ten dollar bill. But almost nobody can run a Lightning Node, even following step-by-step instructions.
That's true to a certain point; everyone can
download Breez]. Like you mentioned, this could replace the jungle of ads that pays the internet today.
But to truly take the place of cash, everybody should be able to use it. Anybody can receive, keep, and pass on a ten dollar bill. But almost nobody can run a Lightning Node, even following step-by-step instructions.
That's true to a certain point; everyone can
download Breez or
Phoenix and literally hold a Lightning Node in their hands.. For even smoother operation (but with more trust), they could even use a custodial Lightning wallet like the one built into
BlueWallet.
That's why I hesitate to integrate Lightning into services and protocols I'm designing. For example, a peer-to-peer publishing and content distribution platform I'd like to build. Asking people to run _a_ server on their phone or laptop or whatever isn't too big of an ask; but asking them to _also_ run a Lighting Node so that they can be paid for their work and pay to view others' work---that's quite a high bar.
Why not do both? Offer on-chain if someone thinks it's much harder to install a Lightning wallet than a on-chain Bitcoin wallet; and offer Lightning for the ones who can get it done and want to save some fees and receive their payments quicker.
But what are the prospects for making Lightning at least as easy to run as Bitcoin Core?
Honestly, running Lightning is not really any harder than running Bitcoin Core. If you're saying using a SPV on-chain wallet is easier than a comparable Lightning wallet, I may agree. But most people don't run Bitcoin Core; the same way they won't run a real routing, always-online, Lightning node.
And making it easy to integrate directly into other software, such that the Lightning Protocol is largely abstracted away from users?
Abstracted integrated into software already kind of exists; in
BTCPayServer. You can set it up to accept both on-chain and Lightning.
Losing custody of their money, but being able to use Lightning in a simple manner. (e.g., BlueWallet, Phoenix etc.) [emphasis mine]
Small, but important correction!
Lightning Network mobile apps:
| | | Custodial | | | Non-custodial | | |
| | | BlueWallet (the LN portion of it) | | | Phoenix by Acinq | | |
| | | | | | Breez.io | | |
