Fri, 28 Mar 2003

Restrictions and Speech

Computer scientists petition White House [CNET News.com]

I think I agree with this petition (at least in part) - the proposed rules stifle research and probably do more harm than good, as the MIT study concluded:

"We believe that the restrictions of the free flow of research results, as well as control of individual access, would negatively impact national security by hampering the progress of science."

I would make an exception for civil engineering stuff, especially as it related to infrastructure (chemical and nuclear plant designs, etc.). Publishing these types of things openly will probably retard research as well, but it would also open the door for far more immediate and catastrophic damage... tough call.

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