Objective versus subjective games

It recently occurred to me what the difference is between consensus mechanisms like proof-of-work, and consensus mechanisms like token-curated registries.

Consensus mechanisms like proof-of-work form consensus using an objective set of criteria. The action a disinterested, rational player should take in a given circumstance is sufficiently determined based on the input criteria that a computer can easily make the optimal decision, save for under extraordinary circumstances such as 51% attacks.

Consensus mechanisms like token-curated registries form consensus using a subjective set of criteria. The action a disinterested, rational player should take in a given circumstance cannot be sufficiently determined by a deterministic algorithm, even under non-extraordinary circumstances! Some human needs to be “in the loop” the whole time.

You could call these objective and subjective games.