Adam Shostack writes:
Adam Back wrote:
Seems to me many of the `cypherpunks' have become `careerpunks' and are now more interested in trading crypto tips, trade gossip, than in cypherpunks projects.
They went through the phase of buying kewl domain names (take a look down the subscriber lists), tinkering with remailers, and have now graduated to making money from crypto consulting, and lost interest in the issues where they don't add to the bottom line.
I disagree with your analysis. I'm working for a number of large companies as a consultant. At each of them, I think I've done things that substantially imrpove customer privacy.
Same here. I've been looking out for privacy problems in the systems that I help my clients design. Whenever I find one I have been able to convince the client to redesign their product to fix it. I'd never have this much influence as a mere cypherpunk. But when I can tell the client what the damage will likely be if their systems are not sufficiently private, they become very interested in making them so. Also, working in the field doesn't preclude doing free stuff that you find an interest in.
Selling your services does not involve selling out.
Yes. I will not work for a client on a project that I consider to be 'bad' (i.e. GAK). I do wonder sometimes what I will do if/when all crypto systems are GAKware. -- Eric Murray ericm@lne.com Privacy through technology! Network security and encryption consulting. PGP keyid:E03F65E5