[ctchocula]

One argument is that the blockchain problem coincides with a "real scientific problem" that needs solving and if the scientific problem leads to some application, which can yield a monetary reward (may be big "if"), this would make it cheaper to launch a 51% attack against this blockchain. The attacker could subsidize their attack by being paid to do science.

[tradedash]

Not so serious answer: Hurray for that? :D

Serious answer: Things would obviously have to be designed differently. This isn't about distribution of "economic power to the hands of the people" or some other Satoshi notion. The thought I have is more along the lines of Folding@Home

http://folding.stanford.edu/

[tree_of_item]

If this isn't about some "Satoshi notion", then what does blockchain have to do with it? Just do something like Folding@Home. There are several projects like that.

[crispweed]

What makes the attacker different? If there was a possibility to subsidize mining by being paid to do science, why would other miners not take advantage of this also?