RE: More info that US passports will get RFID and digital signatu res

["Owen Lewis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Dave Howe
> Sent: 01 November 2004 11:02
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: More info that US passports will get RFID and digital
> signatu res
>
>
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> > In the case of crypto,  either the services gave up and
> recognised that the
> > genie was already too far out of the bottle (hence perhaps the
> pressure for
> > increased powers of surveillance in other ways in order to
> compensate),  or
> > they allowed widespread encryption because they recognised the
> benefits it
> > could bring to commerce might outweigh the problems,  or they allowed it
> > because they already have mechanisms that might break it - an
> explanation
> > can be chosen based on viewpoint and tinfoil hat-size.
> My own theory was that not just was it out of the bottle, fighting too
> hard only brought it more firmly into public view where the vast
> majority feel secure in the knowledge that their government may in fact
> listen to phone converstations on the vaguest of excuses, but would
> never do it to *them*.

There is something very deep in the human psyche that has to believe 'them
but not me - and not right now'. Even persons trained in the disciplined
thinking of, 'It's you - and right now!' require little encouragement to
regress to the status quo ante.

In hunting animals, man has always exploited animals' innate curiosity to
his benefit. In hunting other men, exploiting mankind's need to trust is
generally much more profitable.

Owen