[Nettime-bold] Publius Censorship Resistant Publishing System

[Paul Wouters <paul@xtdnet.nl>]

http://cs1.cs.nyu.edu/waldman/publius/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21689-2000Jun29.html

[ Paul: I'm not sure if this system can work, because it has a weak spot
at the server where the key to gather and decrypt data can be found. Who-ever
hosts the key can be said to be responsible. In a way the same problem as 
with GNUtella, where a site needs to exist to search for "identifiers" in the
document. ]

Overview

Publius is a Web publishing system that is highly resistant to censorship
and provides publishers with a high degree of anonymity. Publius was
the pen name used by the authors of the Federalist Papers, Alexander
Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. This collection of 85 articles,
published pseudonymously in New York State newspapers form October 1787
through May 1788, was influential in convincing New York voters to ratify
the proposed United States constitution.

Why this is important

The publication of written words has long been a tool for spreading new
(and sometimes controversial) ideas, often with the goal of bringing
about social change. Thus the printing press, and more recently, the
World Wide Web, are powerful revolutionary tools. But those who seek to
suppress revolutions possess powerful tools of their own.  These tools
give them the ability to stop publication, destroy published materials,
or prevent the distribution of publications. And even if they cannot
successfully censor the publication, they may intimidate and physically
or financially harm the author or publisher in order to send a message to
other would-be-revolutionaries that they would be well advised to consider
an alternative occupation. Even without a threat of personal harm, authors
may wish to publish their works anonymously or pseudonymously because
they believe they will be more readily accepted if not associated with a
person of their gender, race, ethnic background, or other characteristics.



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