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Paul Graham Describes Dangers of Spam Blacklists

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the what-we're-stuck-with dept.

CRoby writes "Paul Graham posted an essay describing the danger and corruption of the main spammer blacklists today. It discusses MAPS and the SBL, the blacklist created to try to alleviate the abuses of MAPS, and suggests (maybe) another blacklist's creation."

7 of 611 comments (clear)

  1. yoyo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    yoyoy biaaatch!

  2. Language by Vainglorious+Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    I've always been a little uncomfortable with the underlying assumptions white=good, black=bad. I prefer to describe such lists as "blocklists" and "accept lists"

    Yeah, yeah, very PC of me; go ahead, shoot me down. Sometimes, these things *do* matter, and individuals have to stand up and say so.

    --
    My next sig will be ready soon, but subscribers can beat the rush
    1. Re:Language by PitaBred · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Because white is the color of sunlight, generally regarded as pure, and black is the color many wounds turn when rotting and bad... I'm failing to see the problem?
      Methinks you're finding ghosts because you feel like being oppressed.
      Besides, isn't it african american, not black?

      --
      My blog. Good stuff (when I remember to update it). Read it.
    2. Re:Language by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      Last time I checked, the sun was yellow.

    3. Re:Language by Vainglorious+Coward · · Score: 1, Offtopic

      Besides, isn't it african american, not black?

      Who said anything about American?

      On a practical level, "block list" and "accept list" are just much better descriptions of what such lists actually do.

      --
      My next sig will be ready soon, but subscribers can beat the rush
  3. Paul Graham's book by pHatidic · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I just finished his book Hackers and Painters last night, and I highly recommend it. It has given me a much better understanding of economics, and has made me understand the conservative economic point of view much better. Of course I am also in the process of starting a startup, which is exactly what Graham recommends as the fastest way to wealth (for the most talented 1%, but indulge me here for a bit), so I may be a bit biased. But I do this that it is worthwhile for everyone to read, both for the life/economic advice as well as his technical insight into programming languages. Of course you should give it to your boss to read after you finish with it, as it is really in large part to help non-nerds understand nerds.

  4. Don't blacklist me! by utnow · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Let me spam my http://www.youeatit.com/ shit.