Laws of mathematics, not of men

[Jim Choate]

On Wed, 1 Aug 2001, Sandy Sandfort wrote:

> As a probable member of Tim's "Gang of Five" I am on the cusp between two
> equally true facts about Cypherpunk "ideology" and the law.
> 
> 1)  "Cypherpunks write code."  This metaphorical admonition tells us to make
> the laws irrelevant by outrunning them with technology.  I couldn't agree
> more.  I don't see much benefit in asking the nice lawmakers to do fuck us
> so badly, please.  Better to take steps that put us outside of their reach.

Code is 'law', just a different kind.

> 2)  "Don't commit the crime if you can't do the time."  You have to know
> what the law is likely to do so that you can "write code" in a manner that
> is likely to be the most effective from a technological AND legal view.
> Otherwise, you cannot do any sort of meaningful risk/benefit analysis.

Know your enemies mind is one of Tszu's first admonitions.

> My point is that there is a middle ground between Unicorn and Tim's
> positions.  Do the Cypherpunk thing, but be cognizant of the relevant laws.
> Remember, lawyers are hackers too, just in a different arena.

Wanna be hackers considering the quality of their work.


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