Ray Cromwell writes, quoting me:
By the way, so far as I am aware, *nobody* has ever been kicked off the Cypherpunks list. Not even Detweiler, who asked to be removed last Novemeber or so, as he was entering his terminal phase.
The disadvantage of this is that since your list software has no filtering capability, I must deal with a huge flood of messages everyday that Detweiler generates. For a simple list like majordomo, I think deleting trouble makers is a good short term solution.
Ah, yes, the Extropians filtering software. As Ray of course knows, the Cypherpunks list offered to use this software, and discussions were ongoing for a while. This started about a year or so ago, and fizzled out last fall. (I now assume some fo the fizzling out had to do with plans to ultimately commercialize the software, via the "Weir" thing.) Ray and Harry are of course free to choose their strategy as they see fit. Here's one suggestion: Suggestion: Offer a subscription-based list remailer which gateways the Cypherpunks list through the "Weir" software. This could be handled by Ray & Harry, Inc., or via some customer who bought their list software to provide such a service. This is consistent with what Eric has said is OK: subcontractors can distribue the list with all messages encrypted (as Hal Finney does), or with naughty words censored, or with only messages containing the word "Detweiler" blocked (or passed, for the masochists). Solves the "moderation" problem some people keep saying needs a centralized solution. It also gives the Ray & Harry Corporation a chance to debug the software on another list, a list very interested (as Extropians are) in reputation filters and related ideas.
I like the Cypherpunks system a lot better. Instead of bogging down in claims, charges, formal bets, adjudication, appeals, etc., there are relatively few if any rules. Somehow the turkeys end up leaving.
With much heat and light generated in the meantime which is fine for some people, but irritating to others. Keeping in mind Coase's Theorem and Spontaneous Order, Harry and I are going beyond the idea of PPLs by attempting to create list software which allows 'personal justice', filtering, reputations, etc. We personally believe that the whitewater of noise which is out there now will become a tsunami when Joe Sixpack gets his 'entitled' account. The only way to defend yourself from this assault in cyberspace will be intelligent communications software.
So then let's see it. I will pay around $20-30 a year for such filtering capabilities as I had when I was on the Extropians list. (I'm not sure much more is needed with the present volume of mail. This may change in the future, possibly as a result of this kind of software making mailing lists more tolerable, but for now I'll settle for the simple ::exclude capabilities.) I suspect 50 of us might pay the same amount. --Tim May -- .......................................................................... Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money, tcmay@netcom.com | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero 408-688-5409 | knowledge, reputations, information markets, W.A.S.T.E.: Aptos, CA | black markets, collapse of governments. Higher Power: 2^859433 | Public Key: PGP and MailSafe available. "National borders are just speed bumps on the information superhighway."