> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://community.peerplays.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://community.peerplays.com/technology/sidechain-operator-nodes-sons/new-to-sons/why-are-sons-important.md). # Why are SONs important? SONs help the blockchains scale and develop more quickly. Blockchains like Bitcoin or Ethereum have to validate every new transaction on their own. But SONS only have to periodically refresh information from the root chain with updates about transactions. Which means massive scalability without sacrificing security or decentralization! The problem with blockchains out there that offer inter-blockchain communications like Cosmos and Polkadot is that they ‘talk’ only with other blockchains that are identical like them. This doesn’t really solve the problem of blockchains interacting with one another. It creates a situation where a ‘foreign’ blockchain must switch over to another blockchain that is able to communicate with a blockchain that is ‘compatible’ with Polkadot or Cosmos. That’s why Peerplays SONs technology is an innovative, elegant solution. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://community.peerplays.com/technology/sidechain-operator-nodes-sons/new-to-sons/why-are-sons-important.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.