On Tue, 2003-12-16 at 18:18, Jim Dixon wrote:
I spent several years travelling in that part of the world.
Well, that just blew your credibility with this crowd. You're supposed to spout off on topics about which you know nothing. Bonus points for reflexive anti-state-ism [1] [2], and in particular antiamericanism. And for idealistic crypto solutions to the world's problems, which unfortunately will never work in a world inhabited by real people. (Not that you're expected to admit that.) The sheltered children on this list need to get out into the nastier parts of the world. They need to see what life is like when the government is _really_ bad, not just some warts on a mostly benevolent institution. They also need to get a better feel for the cultural differences around the world -- even though we're all humans, what seems like a great idea in Berkeley might not fly in Baghdad or Beijing. [1] As contrasted with anti-statism. [2] Just let the market solve everything. And strong cryptography makes your place of residence irrelevant. Unless, of course, the police goon squad burst in and raped your children in front of you because you were trying to change your place of residence.