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After reflecting more on the difficulties of a random number generator on a consensus system, we decided to use round robin method to choose the next leader from the validators.
Thank you for the important issues you raised.
2 examples of multiparty games of choosing random numbers: 1) You and I each write either "1" or "0" onto a piece of paper, and simultaneously reveal to each other.
If the sum is even, I win. If the sum is odd, you win.
This simple 2-person game randomly generates 1 bit. It can be extended to arbitrary numbers of people by replacing addition with XOR.
2) N people each vote either "0" or "1". They reveal votes simultaneous. The minority participants are rewarded. The median of the votes is the next random bit.
I prefer (1) over (2).
I agree with you that the random number generator in tendermint isn't good enough. I am going to add one I have put in a different cryptocurrency before. Each validator gives the hash of a secret, and later gives their secret. All the secrets are XORed to find the random seed.
Tendermint consensus is based off the solution to byzantine generals for partial synchronicity explained in this paper: http://groups.csail.mit.edu/tds/papers/Lynch/jacm88.pdf
The list of nodes will be hard-coded at the genesis with known meatspace identities. It can only be updated by a transaction signed by >2/3 of the existing nodes.
I am writing the "validators contract" for tendermint right now. It will have this functionality.
If the blockmaker excludes signatures, then a larger portion of the fees get burned, and the blockmaker gets a smaller reward.
NASA accepted government money. This is the consequence they have to deal with. It is NASA's fault.
I worked as an intern on Curiosity project.
I estimate less than 1/10th of money spent on NASA goes towards space research. Even worse, they hire all the best engineers from the market. I hope that we will close NASA someday, so that we can start doing space research again.