Encryption is a social and political issue as well as a technical one, isn't it?
It is, and I think that aspect merits discussion. I'd simply like to see it occur in some other venue, where I can avoid it more easily. I just nearly signed off cypherpunks (and many good people did) because the list was clogged with pointless flaming. I don't want to see it happen again, and trying a bit of restriction based on technical content is one way to do that. Look at it this way: there are n places (alt.privacy, alt.security, extropians, sci.crypt) where you political types can flame merrily away. Where can I go for a rest from the flames? Let cypherpunks be that place. I'd like to see only high-quality technical posts, and occasional well-thought out commentary and pointers to the political developments elsewhere. I'm tired of the terrible tyranny of the voluble, where the debate becomes controlled by those with nothing better to do than type first and think later (if ever). Not that I mean to imply that's what your doing -- I'm just gun-shy. Cheers, - nick P.s. Some people get very upset if you quote private email publically without permission. I'm not one of those people, but I thought I'd let you know before you actually meet one.