Date: Wed, 5 Oct 1994 21:22:32 -0400 From: Amanda Walker <amanda@intercon.com> Cc: cypherpunks@toad.com Content-Disposition: Inline
In the main, corporations persuade and governments force.
I don't see so much of a difference. There is very little difference in the nature and methods of governments vs. corporations. Yes, RSA forces us to use their public key encryption or no other. But who lets them do that? The government. Corporations always want the government to give them a monopoly. How much easier not to compete! Most of the evil that corporations do is in collusion with governments. Purportedly, AT&T had to be incentivized to make Clipper phones. A government can usefully be viewed as a corporation engaged in the business of public services. It's simply a geographical monopoly, as are many public utilities. A geographical monopoly with *guns*, and a mandate from the masses to use them. I can't say that I've ever seen a Niagara-Mohawk or NYNEX tank. -- -russ <nelson@crynwr.com> http://www.crynwr.com/crynwr/nelson.html Crynwr Software | Crynwr Software sells packet driver support | ask4 PGP key 11 Grant St. | +1 315 268 1925 (9201 FAX) | What is thee doing about it? Potsdam, NY 13676 | LPF member - ask me about the harm software patents do.