Cypherwaffle on spoofing
I understand Detweiller's frustration. On another list, someone posted as if he/she were William Gibson. That kind of fraud undermines confidence on several levels. It attempts to dupe us, and usurps the name and reputation of a well-known writer, and sets up an atmosphere of suspicion and doubt fatal to any community. How would you like it if someone spoofmailed to this list under your name, then published Nazi slogans and argued for the legalization of rape? What I find odd is the number and vehemence of posts ON A LIST DEVOTED TO ENCRYPTION saying "Hey, it's a fact of life, accept it" -- even dragging out Machiavelli's profoundly mistaken "if you can't enforce it, don't prohibit it." Of all the groups on the Internet, I would think that this one would be in a special position to say "put your digital John Hancock on your post if you want to to taken seriously."
Arthur Chandler writes:
What I find odd is the number and vehemence of posts ON A LIST DEVOTED TO ENCRYPTION saying "Hey, it's a fact of life, accept it" -- even dragging out Machiavelli's profoundly mistaken "if you can't enforce it, don't prohibit it."
Oh well, it's "profoundly" mistaken, so we'd better change our tune. OK, let's prohibit it. The net sure will be wonderful once that magic wand is waved.
Of all the groups on the Internet, I would think that this one would be in a special position to say "put your digital John Hancock on your post if you want to to taken seriously."
Uhhhh... That's the *point*. It is a waste of time and energy to prohibit anonymity/pseudonymity when it's so easy to render it completely ineffective through the use of strong cryptography and digital signature technology. Note that if it weren't for the fact that humans can use sensory mechanisms to determine with some confidence the identity of a human they're talking to, we'd have been faced with the same problem for quite some time. That's one of the foundations of the whole cypherpunk concept: freedom to develop and use strong cryptosystems makes this confidence of identity possible over electronic networks. (Please pardon my presumption at speaking for the "organization"; I'm paraphrasing something Mike Godwin said at the Austin EFF Crypto meeting.) Note also that the problem *does* exist now: politicians recieve letters about hot issues from constituents---or at least they're *assumed* to be from constituents. How many votes have been changed over the years by clever miscreants sending many letters under different assumed identities? -- Mike McNally
Some novels to enjoy... Earlier today Nick Szabo (not his True Name?) made some references to True Names. I'm sure you all have heard many of us speak about Vernor Vinge's "True Names." If you have not yet read it, buy a copy today and read it tonight in lieu of reading this list! Another novel is "Ender's Game," by Orson Scott Card, in which some kids carry on a political debate on the Nets of the future under the digital pseudonyms "Locke" and "Demosthenes." Over a period of months and then years, these nyms ("True Nyms"?) develop a large following and are demonstrably important entities. About the way our own "S. Boxx" could be if he/she/it didn't periodically lapse into rants and flames about "traitors," the "death fo the cypherpunks cause," and so on. Actions have consequences, even in cypherspace. Anyway, I strongly recommend both "True Names" and "Ender's Game." --Tim May (my True Name) -- .......................................................................... 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: 2^756839 | Public Key: PGP and MailSafe available. Note: I put time and money into writing this posting. I hope you enjoy it.
Tim May writes:
Anyway, I strongly recommend both "True Names" and "Ender's Game."
A very strong second for True Names. Read it and find out who really invented "Cyberspace" (It wasn't Gibson). If you like it, try Vinge's "A Fire Upon the Deep."
Robert Woodhead writes:
Tim May writes:
Anyway, I strongly recommend both "True Names" and "Ender's Game."
A very strong second for True Names. Read it and find out who really invented "Cyberspace" (It wasn't Gibson).
Elvis didn't invent rock 'n' roll, either. --Mike
participants (5)
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Arthur Chandler -
m5@vail.tivoli.com -
Mike Godwin -
Robert J. Woodhead -
tcmay@netcom.com