Responding to msg by nobody@ds1.wu-wien.ac.at
I think that writing and thinking is the only thing any of us can do that will have impact. The only coding effort I can see paying off is helping to make PGP better. Maybe that's what I'll do.
Thoth
.................................................... I have read in public & private, comments about cypherpunks and how there is really little to be expected from the list in terms of practical solutions to governments, surveillance, the new world order, etc. It sets me to reflect upon what people could really expect to get from a mailing list; why it is that there is disillusionment about what the members seek to accomplish, such that there are discrediting comments about what will really happen as a result of its existence: what is it that leads some people to expect that reading other people's mail is going to change the NSA's mind, or the world at large? Is it because "real" cypherpunks write code? Perhaps the expectations for the range of the efficacy of coding are a little too high in some people's estimation? (Just because criminals & the NSA think it's important, doesn't mean e-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y else will think so, too. Okay, so you're going to disagree with me about that. So flame me.) I must reflect upon the fact that this is, after all, just a list - just reading material and interchange from anyone who feels sufficiently motivated to reply or comment or just send in their .02 cents. Perhaps someone's intellect could supply imaginative inspiration, perhaps their knowledge could provide missing pieces to a puzzle, perhaps their style could bolster a failing courage towards autonomous thinking & therefore acting. What could really be realized from a voluntary gathering of various & sundry assorted strangers who subscribe for their own self-decided particular reasons, which they don't divulge to all, to get what they will and contribute what they may at such time as they feel sufficiently motivated to do so? Is this the Cypherpunk Savings & Loan Division? or did I reach the wrong department. Blanc