Lightning sacrifices Bitcoin’s absolute security and decentralization for the cheap, fast convenience for this experience.
Tangential to the thesis of the article, but i disagree with this statement. Lightning inherits bitcoin's absolute security, does not sacrifice on it. Software problems might be more common, but those exist onchain too. That's not because of LN itself. In principle, funds are as secure in an onchain hot wallet as in an offchain lightning node.
I'm knit-picking.
There is a meaningful security difference vis a vis timelocks. An offline lightning node can be stolen from after a timelock expires. That's only true for lightning, not for "regular" hot wallets. So lightning has an additional security assumption that other bitcoin wallets don't have: you have to keep it online and connected or check in on it regularly or use a watchtower and hope they don't collude with any thieves.
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That's right :)
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