FC: Frank Sudia's anti-crypto stand: Razor blade genie is out of bottle

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

[Anti-strong, nonescrowed crypto, at least. There's never enough space in 
Subject: lines. Previous messages: 
http://www.politechbot.com/cgi-bin/politech.cgi?name=sudia --DBM]

**********

From: "Frank Sudia" <frank () sudialab com>
To: "Carl Ellison" <cme () acm org>
Cc: "Declan McCullagh" <declan () well com>
Subject: The Razor Blade Genie is Out of the Bottle
Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2001 14:37:55 -0700

> I was talking about the nature of strong cryptography itself and
> the reasons that it is ubiquitous and can not be controlled.  I
> notice that you chose not to address that issue, so I am forced
> to assume you cannot.

Carl,

It is ludicrous to argue that because crypto is widely available it cannot
(or should not) be regulated.  Razor blades and box cutters are also widely
available, and in fact it is easy to make sharp instruments by grinding
pieces of metal.  Basement factories would be trivial to set up.  This does
not mean we cannot outlaw assault, robbery, or other crimes committed using
such weapons.

As I make more clear in today's edits (not a lot new) as a matter of control
systems theory, ALL your freedoms that are worth anything are 100% derived
from the presence of a strong and effective government, to enforce them
against your local warlord.  To impede reasonable law enforcement and
investigation is an "insult," in the medical sense, to our government.  This
was certainly grasped in the 1600s (think 30 Years War), but has been
forgotten by those blinded by the affluence of our exuberant era.

The time sequence is (1) effective government formed, (2) meaningful
guarantees of liberty go into effect.  If reverse the time ordering, you
wind up with nothing.

The legislative power of the people (not me, the crypto guys are the megalo
maniacs) could disable every existing copy of PGP.  However until you decide
that you are on the side of preserving civilization, I see little benefit to
be gained from public discussion of this and many other potentially
effective measures.  Not just you, but everyone it seems, is in denial about
just how serious and fundamental of a problem this is.

Also you might want to read de Tocqueville, where he notes that in a
democracy if you can get 51% you can go after anyone.  When you mess around
with sovereign power, it's not a walk in the park.

Declan, what about you?  Are you an objective policy analyst, or a creature
of your dot-com readership?  Feel free to repost this, with its title intact
please.

Cheers,
Frank

www.sudialab.com/sov-eppc.htm




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