First, we have seen a lot of political junk discussion here lately,
about the tired subjects of socialism, Microsoft, Nazis, and
(presumably) even Heinlein.
Second, code is indeed preferable to rhetoric.
However, importantly, it is clear from recent discussions on the list
and from at least one recent physical Cypherpunks meeting, that an
increasing number of participants "just don't get it."
There was, for example, a proposal by some people at a recent meeting
that Cypherpunks should set up their own "certificate-issuing
authority."
This is a terrible direction to go in.
Apparently we are not discussing politics _enough_.
"Cypherpunks write code" may be a nice mantra, but when Cypherpunks
write code in furtherance of statist and centralized missions, the
results are awful.
Let Verisign do anything it wants to do. A free country and all. But
monkeywrench any and all attempts to make such "identity credentials"
mandatory. In particular, do nothing to promulgate central
Cypherpunks signature authorities.
--Tim May
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Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money,
ComSec 3DES: 831-728-0152 | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero
W.A.S.T.E.: Corralitos, CA | knowledge, reputations, information markets,
"Cyphernomicon" | black markets, collapse of governments.
