Blocks don’t just store data—they can think. At least, as much as Cardano lets them. Let's learn about max_block_ex_steps, the parameter that sets a block’s total computation budget—its “brainpower.”

We talk about how Cardano counts “steps” inside Plutus scripts, why there’s a hard cap of 20 billion per block, and how this limit affects everything from smart contract performance to transaction wait times. You’ll hear why some transactions breeze through instantly while others politely wait their turn, and how developers optimize code to fit inside the block’s thinking window.

If you want to understand how Cardano balances efficiency, decentralization, and scalability, this parameter tells a big part of the story

In Cardano’s new on-chain governance system, you can delegate your voice to a DRep—your Decentralized Representative. But what happens if your chosen rep stops showing up?

In this episode we learn about the parameter that helps prevent this sad state: drep_activity. We'll explain how it tracks whether DReps are engaged, why liveness matters for legitimate governance, and what debates are brewing around accountability and inactivity.

Plus, you’ll learn how to check your own DRep’s activity history—and what it means if they’ve gone quiet for 100 days.

Why do some Cardano smart contract transactions have to “wait for the next block”? Meet max_block_ex_mem—the quiet parameter acting like a gate agent at the airport, making sure no single script overloads the system.

If you've ever wondered why scripts sometimes take longer, why developers talk about “budgeting,” or how Cardano keeps things predictable and fair, this is your behind-the-scenes tour of the blockchain's overhead bin.