Mathematics of Consensus — Accidental Lecture

In an impromptu lecture using a GoPro, Alex from TigerBeetle, alongside his colleague Tobi, delves into the complex world of consensus algorithms, employing set theory to elucidate their mathematical foundations. The lecture, inspired by "Notes on Paxos," aims to demystify the dual nature of consensus, which encompasses both the formal mathematical proofs and the pragmatic engineering challenges of building efficient distributed systems. The discussion references historical milestones in the field, such as the Viewstamped Replication algorithm introduced by Brian Oki and the foundational Paxos paper by Leslie Lamport, highlighting the intricate relationship between mathematics and engineering in understanding consensus. The session aims to transform foundational set theory knowledge into an understanding of consensus algorithms, as demonstrated by Tobi's eager participation.