Re: Credentials without Identity--Race Bits

In a message dated 96-12-13 02:03:26 EST, cmcurtin@research.megasoft.com (C
Matthew Curtin) writes:

> Subj:	Re: Credentials without Identity--Race Bits
>  Date:	96-12-13 02:03:26 EST
>  From:	cmcurtin@research.megasoft.com (C Matthew Curtin)
>  Sender:	owner-cypherpunks@toad.com
>  Reply-to:	cmcurtin@research.megasoft.com
>  To:	tcmay@got.net (Timothy C. May)
>  CC:	cypherpunks@toad.com
>  
>  >>>>> "Tim" == Timothy C May <tcmay@got.net> writes:
>  
>  Tim> While it has been claimed by some that "crypto anarchy" means
>  Tim> that race won't matter, that cyberspace interactions will be
>  Tim> color-blind, this is misleading.
>  
>  Race bits, gender bits, etc., are all interesting possibilities. I
>  never thought about anyone wanting to do such a thing, but I suppose
>  that's likely.
>  
>  I've tended to think that as we become increasingly digital, issues
>  like race become less significant (perhaps because it generally isn't
>  immediately obvious in this medium). This doesn't mean that prejudices
>  go away, it means that they shift to stay with what is obvious. For
>  example, people who are unable to spell well (and don't spellcheck
>  email and usenet posts), or use excessively poor grammar are often
>  ridiculed for their lack of mastery of the language in which they're
>  writing. Basically, the prejudices and such continue with us, but
>  change, so as to remain based on things that are easily discernible.
>  
>  Tim> While many--probably most--users will care only for cyberspace
>  Tim> personna issues, and not meatspace personna issues of race,
>  Tim> color, height, weight, etc., this is not something built in to
>  Tim> anonymous transactions.
>  
>  As I'm replying, it's occurred to me that we've already got some sort
>  of persona "certificates" floating around now. (Such as the Geek
>  Code.) Imagine a field there to include race. Wouldn't take a lot to
>  do that, after all.
>  

What is the "Geek Code?"

>  Of course, the implementation of a race bit system that can be trusted
>  is another issue altogether. Would the White Boyz Club then need to
>  have its own trusted arbitrator to introduce people of the same race
>  to each other? (AryanSign?) Is a more elaborate PGP-style web
>  of trust used? Hmm.

So white Boyz Club excludes women to, is that correct?

>>>>> "Jill" == Jill014  <Jill014@aol.com> writes:

Jill> What is the "Geek Code?"

http://krypton.mankato.msus.edu/~hayden/geek.html

Jill> So white Boyz Club excludes women to, is that correct?

Just made that up ... could be any group that is interested in the
race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin (or anything else) of
those they're dealing with in cyberspace.

-- 
Matt Curtin  cmcurtin@research.megasoft.com  Megasoft, Inc   Chief Scientist
http://www.research.megasoft.com/people/cmcurtin/   I speak only for myself.
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