Re: Credentials without Identity--Race Bits

In a message dated 96-12-13 02:03:26 EST, cmcurtin@research.megasoft.com (C Matthew Curtin) writes:

Subj: Re: Credentials without Identity--Race Bits Date: 96-12-13 02:03:26 EST From: cmcurtin@research.megasoft.com (C Matthew Curtin) Sender: owner-cypherpunks@toad.com Reply-to: cmcurtin@research.megasoft.com To: tcmay@got.net (Timothy C. May) CC: cypherpunks@toad.com

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"Tim" == Timothy C May writes:

Tim> While it has been claimed by some that "crypto anarchy" means Tim> that race won't matter, that cyberspace interactions will be Tim> color-blind, this is misleading.

Race bits, gender bits, etc., are all interesting possibilities. I never thought about anyone wanting to do such a thing, but I suppose that's likely.

I've tended to think that as we become increasingly digital, issues like race become less significant (perhaps because it generally isn't immediately obvious in this medium). This doesn't mean that prejudices go away, it means that they shift to stay with what is obvious. For example, people who are unable to spell well (and don't spellcheck email and usenet posts), or use excessively poor grammar are often ridiculed for their lack of mastery of the language in which they're writing. Basically, the prejudices and such continue with us, but change, so as to remain based on things that are easily discernible.

Tim> While many--probably most--users will care only for cyberspace Tim> personna issues, and not meatspace personna issues of race, Tim> color, height, weight, etc., this is not something built in to Tim> anonymous transactions.

As I'm replying, it's occurred to me that we've already got some sort of persona "certificates" floating around now. (Such as the Geek Code.) Imagine a field there to include race. Wouldn't take a lot to do that, after all.

What is the "Geek Code?"

Of course, the implementation of a race bit system that can be trusted is another issue altogether. Would the White Boyz Club then need to have its own trusted arbitrator to introduce people of the same race to each other? (AryanSign?) Is a more elaborate PGP-style web of trust used? Hmm.

So white Boyz Club excludes women to, is that correct?