NODE 36fc8ce4Mailing list name
pmetzger@lehman.com (Perry E. Metzger)Fri, 16 Apr 93 12:46:29 PDT
In the light of recent developments concerning government cryptography
initiatives, we might soon find ourselves innundated by working press.
Given this, I think that the name "cypherpunks" produces the wrong
connotations -- it makes us sound like criminals when we are in fact
people who are interested in expanding personal privacy with
technology. Often, little things like this end up being of tremendous
importance in the long haul.
I would propose changing the name of the mailing list to
"cryptoprivacy" or something similar. It denotes what we are about in
a way that mundane people understand better, and it portrays us in the
proper light -- as people struggling to improve the prospects for
personal freedom, not a bunch of "punks".
Perry
NODE a3d0bff1Re: Mailing list name
treason@gnu.ai.mit.eduFri, 16 Apr 93 13:31:36 PDT
>
>
> In the light of recent developments concerning government cryptography
> initiatives, we might soon find ourselves innundated by working press.
>
> Given this, I think that the name "cypherpunks" produces the wrong
> connotations -- it makes us sound like criminals when we are in fact
> people who are interested in expanding personal privacy with
> technology. Often, little things like this end up being of tremendous
> importance in the long haul.
>
> I would propose changing the name of the mailing list to
> "cryptoprivacy" or something similar. It denotes what we are about in
> a way that mundane people understand better, and it portrays us in the
> proper light -- as people struggling to improve the prospects for
> personal freedom, not a bunch of "punks".
>
> Perry
>
>
I agree wholeheartedly, and I think I have the experience to say so. You
wouldn't believe how much importance people and groups put on names. Even
though I have not, nor ever intend to commit the act described by my name,
people still look at me with a leery eye. Becase I am
treason@gnu