Fwd: Re: IP: The next wave of terror - Scenario planners trying to predict the unthinkable

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

I agree, responsible press will not give details as I will not give any 
ideas I helped develop during  "game" playing. djf

my
> Date: Sun, 28 Oct 2001 16:41:05 -0600
> To: farber () cis upenn edu
> From: Benjamin Kuipers <kuipers () cs utexas edu>
>
> Dave,
>
> I am a die-hard supporter of the freedom of the press, and I am convinced
> of the necessity of these scenario-planning sessions.  However, I would
> hope that neither the press nor the internet discussion groups will
> publish the detailed results of this work.
>
> Several years ago, I read a newspaper article on a teenage girl who
> poisoned her father, and would have gotten away with murder if she
> hadn't confided in a friend.  The article included the identity of the
> poison, the fact that it is available in high-school chemistry labs,
> the lethal dose, and the food she served it in to disguise the taste.
>
> News of a crime is a service to the public.  A detailed recipe for getting
> away with it is a disservice.  No, I don't know how to draw a precise
> line between the two, and it may well be impossible.  I don't want to give
> up precious civil liberties to avoid mistakes in this area, but I also
> want people to publish in a responsible manner.
>
> With care and good judgment, I as a citizen can be informed of potential
> dangers and steps I can take, without at the same time delivering the
> fruits of valuable brain-power to the terrorists.
>
> One of the strengths we have is in sheer numbers, and in the variety of points
> of view that we bring to solving these problems.  The number of committed
> terrorists is simply not that large, so there is a real chance of them not
> coming up with some of the creative ideas that we can.  It's a weak sort
> of protection, on the level of not leaving a loaded gun around the house
> or the keys in a parked car, but it is well worth doing anyway.
>
> We must envision and plan for worst-case scenarios, but don't publish
> recipes for crime and terror.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ben Kuipers


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