Actually we have had a BlackNet on the Internet for years. I admit its not much of a BlackNet - maybe just a proto BlackNet that will never grow to do justice to the BlackNet concept. The proto BlackNet is #warez on Internet chat. For years commercial/retail software has been ex- changed on #warez. This is a pretty narrow area of exchange. Also, it could be argued that #hack on internet chat has been a proto BlackNet entity for years. #hack exchanges system breakin information. Years ago I tried to encourage both these channels to use encryption to exchange sensitive files. I used to post their TOPIC with the message "WE NEED PUBLIC KEY ENCRYPTION NOW." before I found out about PGP. Once I found out about PGP, I tried to encourage them to adopt it. Strangely enough, neither of these channels were at all enthusiastic about encryption. #warez makes itself an "invite only" channel apparentl for security. If someone could introduce a method to these channels to exchange money for information, then it is a possibility that they could mature to real BlackNets. They would also have to use anonymous remailers. They already exchange illicit goods. Maybe a Cypherpunk acting in a sort "Peace Corps" way could lend them some assistance. It could give you a sort or satisfied feeling in latter years to know that you had played a part in creating some BlackNet monsters. If real BlackNet tech became a part of these two channels, the possibility exists that they could expand their ranges to become true, full BlackNet entities. I believe that barring a successful Federal technological capture of the Internet, BlackNets are inevitable. Yours Truly, Gary Jeffers PUSH EM BACK! PUSH EM BACK! WWWAAAYYY BBBAAACCCKKK! BBBEEEAAATTTT STATE!