Understand Blockchain Basics

I'd like to understand blockchain technology at a fundamental level. Please explain it in simple, clear terms that would make sense to someone without a technical background. ## Please cover the following aspects: ### 1. Core Concept and Structure - What exactly is a blockchain in the simplest terms? - How is information organized and stored? - Why is it called a "chain" of "blocks"? - How does this differ from traditional databases? ### 2. Key Properties and Benefits - What makes blockchain secure? - What does "decentralized" mean and why is it important? - How does blockchain create trust without central authorities? - What is meant by "immutability" and why does it matter? ### 3. How Transactions Work - Walk through how a basic transaction gets processed - How is consensus achieved among participants? - What prevents someone from changing past records? - What are public and private keys in simple terms? ### 4. Mining and Validation - What is mining and what purpose does it serve? - How do blocks get added to the blockchain? - What is a consensus mechanism in plain language? - Why do some blockchains use so much energy? ### 5. Practical Applications - What are meaningful uses beyond cryptocurrencies? - What are smart contracts in simple terms? - Which industries are adopting blockchain and why? - What real-world problems does blockchain solve well? ### 6. Limitations and Misconceptions - What are blockchain's current limitations? - What are common misconceptions about what blockchain can do? - What is the "blockchain trilemma" in simple terms? - When is blockchain NOT the right solution? Please use everyday analogies and examples where possible. If you need to use technical terms, please explain them clearly. I'm looking for conceptual understanding rather than technical details.