Introduction
"Regarding cryptography, it must be recognized that no amount of violence will ever solve a mathematical problem." – Jacob Appelbaum, Cypherpunks: Freedom and the Future of the Internet (2016).
Origins and Futuristic Inspirers
Between the 30s and 40s, Aldous Huxley and George Orwell envisioned dystopian futures. However, to realize these visions, a technological piece was missing: the mass communication infrastructure.
Precursor: Phil Salin and AMIX
In 1984, Phil Salin created the American Information Exchange (AMIX), a pioneering platform for online information exchange. However, its transparency led Timothy C. May to propose evolutions, culminating in the vision of a "BlackNet."
Tim May: Father of Cypherpunks
In 1987, Timothy C. May, former senior scientist at Intel, proposed enhancing AMIX to undermine government power, giving rise to "BlackNet." May later wrote the "Crypto Anarchist Manifesto" and founded the "Cypherpunks" in the 90s.
The Role of Cryptography
Cypherpunks are grounded in mathematical advancements in cryptography, especially "asymmetric encryption," invented in 1976. This cryptography is crucial to preserving privacy in a world dominated by the internet.
Crypto Wars
Since 1977, the US government has waged "Crypto Wars," fearing the implications of unbreakable cryptography in public hands. Researchers like Mark S. Miller and developers like Phil Zimmermann faced government interventions.
Activism and Cypherpunks' Premises
Tim May and Cypherpunks chose asymmetric cryptography and socio-economic sciences as tools for activism. The premise was to create tools that empower individual human relationships, including digital, cryptographic, and anonymous money.
Ongoing Impact
Cypherpunks influenced the creation of Bitcoin and other revolutionary technologies. Despite "Crypto Wars," the movement persists in advocating for individual privacy and freedom, facing challenges and shaping the technological landscape.
Cypherpunks and the Science Behind Cryptography
Introduction
Origins and Futuristic Inspirations
Phil Salin and AMIX
What are Cypherpunks?