Slashdot Mirror
Ask Cryptome's John Young Whatever You'd Like
John Young of Cryptome, though trained as an architect, has garnered recognition in another field entirely. Since 1996, he's been publishing timely, trenchant news online as the mind behind crypto jya.com and Cryptome. ("Our goal is to be the most disreputable publisher on the Net, just
after the world's governments and other highly reputable bullshitters." ) This has put him on the forefront of various online liberty issues, from the MPAA's DeCSS crackdown on DeCSS (he fought the lawyers -- and won), to Carnivore, to Dmitry Sklyarov's continuing imprisonment, and now the several fronts along which electronic communications are threatened by current and upcoming legislation. He recently posted this to the front page: "Cryptome and a host of other crypto resources are likely to be shutdown if the war panic continues. What methods could be used to assure continued access to crypto for homeland and self-defense by citizens of all nations against communication transgressors?" Now's your chance to ask him about the fight for online freedom. Please pose just one question per post; we'll send 10-15 of the highest moderated ones on to John for his answers.
So, when'd you lose your virginity?
No threats so far, but a fair number of predictions of threats to come. I mean threats about Cryptome, for I have gotten threats as an architect, standard procedure in New York. Scared the piss out of me for they were aimed at my family. Cops said get used to it or change your ways to fit the scene of the crime. Cryptome is a joy ride by comparison. What are nasty e-mails from MPAA or a court's injunction compared to 4 shotgun shells with your kids' names on them? But don't let me change the subject with business as usual horror tales about wounded NY begging for billion dollar subsidies to assure continued criminal corruption.
John