# Preethi Kasireddy - How Does Ethereum Work, Anyway (Highlights) ![rw-book-cover|256](https://readwise-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/static/images/article0.00998d930354.png) ## Highlights - A blockchain is a “cryptographically secure transactional singleton machine with shared-state.” - Unlike externally owned accounts, contract accounts can’t initiate new transactions on their own - GHOST protocol says we must pick the path that has had the most computation done upon it.