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Re: paralysis

2004-03-07 16:30:14
MT> So... instead of pointing out the obvious that
MT> there is no silver bullet, wouldn't it be a lot
MT> more productive to frame this debate in terms of
MT> what incremental steps could be taken to at least
MT> try to change the overall climate?


Serious discussions about spam control acknowledge the fact of
limited, incremental benefit, significant deployment costs, potential
impact on basic modes of legitimate email, and the like.

Unfortunately, serious discussion is rather rare. What is missing from
most proposals is any interest in such careful consideration about
ramifications.

Instead, efforts to explore real costs and real efficacy are met with
the usual plea that this is an emergency and we have to do _something_.

Emotional responses that block legitimate review, in favor of premature
action fall under the category of "hysteria".

The IETF MARID BOF showed that serious discussion is, in fact, possible.
One simply needs to insist on it and encourage it when it happens.

d/
--
 Dave Crocker <dcrocker-at-brandenburg-dot-com>
 Brandenburg InternetWorking <www.brandenburg.com>
 Sunnyvale, CA  USA <tel:+1.408.246.8253>