[extropy-chat] Re: Encryption revolution

[Reason]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org
> [mailto:extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org]On Behalf Of Harvey
> Newstrom
> Sent: Friday, December 12, 2003 3:03 PM
> To: 'ExI chat list'
> Subject: RE: [extropy-chat] Re: Encryption revolution

> > Has not Aubrey defined and promoted not only the Methuselah
> > Mouse project as well as the proposed IBG institute?
>
> I expect Aubrey to do great things, and have no doubt of his excellent
> expertise.  Please do not misconstrue anything I say to be negative toward
> him.  However, offering to pay someone to make a breakthrough is not the
> same thing as making a breakthrough.  It is a little off-topic for what I
> wanted to see.  However, the creativity and approach of this project is
> interesting.  However, I doubt that the meager amount of volunteer funding
> available will entice much research toward anybody trying to claim this
> prize.

You're missing the point. When building a prize, most of the final amount
will come from wealthy philanthopists. The purpose of the large amount of
smaller donations is to demonstrate viability, will, and widespread
interest. It engages people; all social engineering. It's part of the
bootstrap effect: people like the chair of HGSI aren't going to donate to a
prize until hundreds of people have made their voice heard and made smaller
donations. Paul Allen isn't going to donate until many people at the renown
level of the chair of HGSI have donated, and so forth.

This is the way it works when you're trying to convince philanthopists that
something is worthwhile. It's exactly the same way it worked for the X
Prize, you'll note, which started out at $10,000 seven years ago. The
Methuselah Mouse Prize is only six months old, and has grown faster than the
X Prize in its first six months.

Again, this is the process, this is the way it works. It's working, and it's
working very well. Don't dismiss it: instead, make a donation and help it to
succeed.

Reason
http://www.exratio.com/