From: tcmay@got.net (Timothy C. May)
Date: Sat, 27 Jan 1996 11:03:45 +0800
To: cypherpunks@toad.com
Subject: Re: weak cryptoanarchy
Message-ID: <ad2ecda71f0210041a54@[205.199.118.202]>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain


At 1:14 AM 1/27/96, Anonymous wrote:

>I think a better prediction for the implications of strong
>crypto is what I would call "weak cryptoanarchy."  That is,
>cryptography will allow virtual communities the option to exist
                         ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>without the possibility of inteference by force.  Certainly some
>virtual communities, such as moderated discussion groups, will
>opt to have formal or informal governments.  The key is that
>people will have the choice of participating in communities
>where physical violence will be absolutely powerless.
>
>Stated in this form, cryptoanarchy is hardly controversial.
>Plus, this weak form of cryptoanarchy has a much better chance
>of being realized, because it does not require the collapse of
>existing governments, only the creation of new communities
                       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>without governments.
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The paper which Prof. Denning was responding to was my paper, "Crypto
Anarchy and Virtual Communities." Seems like I anticipated your point.

--Tim May


Boycott espionage-enabled software!
We got computers, we're tapping phone lines, we know that that ain't allowed.
---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:----
Timothy C. May              | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money,
tcmay@got.net  408-728-0152 | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero
W.A.S.T.E.: Corralitos, CA  | knowledge, reputations, information markets,
Higher Power: 2^756839 - 1  | black markets, collapse of governments.
"National borders aren't even speed bumps on the information superhighway."