At 3:03 PM -0700 7/21/97, Mike Duvos wrote:
Perhaps. But he would have been tried in the media, and would probably have been transformed into "Terrorist Jim Bell" at the hands of the spin masters. In the end, even if he won in court, he would have been about as popular as OJ, and the entire population of America would have learned to live their lives in constant fear of smelly organic chemicals and nickel-plated carbon fibers. Parents would be mail-ordering carbon fiber test kits to use in their childrens' rooms.
I see some publishing opportunities: "How to Tell if Your Child is a "Cypherpunk"" "What to do if your children display an unhealthy interest in chemistry." "The 10 warning signs an information terrorist is in your community." And the mother of all titles, "Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt." Next on Oprah, children who use cryptography to keep secrets from their parents. --Tim May P.S. Will Bell be allowed to receive encrypted messages in jail? (Bell can report to us firsthand the practical realities of both the "prisoner's dilemma" and the use of covert channels to communicate with other prisoners in plain sight.) P.P.S. Earlier today Duncan opined that prison is a good place for people who like to read and write. First, it depends on what they let one read. Second, no Net access. Third, and most importantly, it depends critically on what kind of prison one is in. If your cellmate is Bubba and he wants you to be his "wife"... There's something wrong when I'm a felon under an increasing number of laws. Only one response to the key grabbers is warranted: "Death to Tyrants!" ---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---- Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money, tcmay@got.net 408-728-0152 | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero W.A.S.T.E.: Corralitos, CA | knowledge, reputations, information markets, Higher Power: 2^1398269 | black markets, collapse of governments. "National borders aren't even speed bumps on the information superhighway."