Discouraging credential sharing with Mojo

[Meyer Wolfsheim]

On Wed, 21 Aug 2002, Anonymous wrote:

> Clearly we need a new approach.  Here is a suggestion for a simple
> solution which will give everyone an important secret that they will
> avoid sharing.
>
> At birth each person will be issued a secret key.  This will be called
> his Mojo.

[snip]

> Now all that is needed is a simple change to the law so that knowing
> someone's Mojo makes him your slave.

Virtually all cultures have held the mythological belief that all "beings
with souls" have a True Name, and that knowledge of one's true name
leads to power over him.

(This isn't really surprising, since the True Name concept features
prominently in Babylonian mythology, from which the myths of nearly all
other civilizations have sprung.)

For instance, knowing the True Name of a god could result in one being
granted godly powers, or immortality (cf: Isis learning the True Name of
Ra in Egyptian mythology). In Greek (and neo-pagan) nature myths, speaking
the true name of a landscape object could give the speaker protection or
favors from the spirit inhabiting the object. In Hebrew, Essene, and
Islamic mythology, as well as Celtic, Pacific Island, and Norse
tales, the True Name theme appears repeatedly. Etc.

It sounds like you wish to revive this superstition, but instead make it
cryptographically enforcable. "Trust in the laws of mathematics and men,
not of gods?"

Welcome to the Church of Strong Cryptography.

> Please join me in supporting this important reform.
>
> Just say, "I want my Mojo!"

Sometimes, I wonder if some of these posts are not intended to be as
ironic as they appear.


-MW-