On Mon, May 14, 2001 at 09:22:44AM -0700, Tim May wrote:
| Some months ago I skimmed a fascinating book on literary authorship.
| A search of Google turns it up: Don Foster's "Author Unknown." Here's
| a review in "Salon." Amazon will have more reviews, and ordering info.
|
| http://www.salon.com/books/review/2000/11/02/foster/
I enjoyed Foster's book a great deal. More scientific would be Rao,
Rohatgi, "Can Pseudonymity really guarantee privacy?" in 9th Usenix
security.
And more pseudo-scientific would be Morton, Farringdon, et al and
their CUSUM techniques. Alas, I spent 40 pounds to get a copy of
"Analysing For Authorship." I haven't had time yet to write up a
critique of the methodology (including lack of blind studies, no
comment on the means used to select comparison writings, the need for
"experienced" experts to go through and edit the text, the need to
return to, and perhaps re-edit the text when the results don't
scientificly confirm your beliefs.)
And, naturally, we've been over this ground. E.g,
http://cypherpunks.venona.com/date/1993/11/msg00189.html
Adam
--
"It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once."
-Hume
