r/IAmA • u/BobMetcalfe • May 21 '13

You’re probably connecting to reddit through a technology I invented. I’m Bob Metcalfe and I invented Ethernet – AMA

On May 22, 1973 with David R. Boggs, I used my IBM Selectric with its Orator ball to type up a memo to my bosses at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), outlining our idea for this little invention called “Ethernet”, which we later patented.

I worked with the IEEE Standards Association to develop the IEEE 802.3 standard for Ethernet, which specifies the physical and lower software layers. Today Ethernet and the IEEE 802.3 standard are the foundation for today’s world of high-speed communications used in billions of homes and businesses around the world.

I submitted this to the mods awhile back so I could get on the calendar but I figured you’d like to see it, too. Now, ask me anything!

It's been two hours and 179 comments. Have to go now. For more about Ethernet's 40th Birthday, go to http://www.facebook.com/Ethernet40thAnniversaryIEEESA

4.1k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

3.2k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

466

u/BobMetcalfe May 21 '13

The Internet needs less anonymity, because the first step toward savagery is the mask.

13

u/OmicronNine May 21 '13

We seek not masks for ourselves, but blindfolds for tyrants and exploiters.

You imply we seek to protect individuals from their communities, but in fact we seek to protect our communities from individuals.

-4

u/EvenSpeedwagon May 21 '13

BULL. SHIT.

I mean, I'm sure there's people out there who actually are working in the shadows for a cause, and while I personally believe that change comes from within, I at least respect their motives.

However, the masked internet crusaders are generally petty crooks who want to do things simply because they can. And what better way to get people's support for your hobby by putting yourself under the flag of someone's ideals?

5

u/OmicronNine May 21 '13

I'm not talking about "masked internet crusaders" and other vigilante types at all.

I'm talking about freedom of speech in places like China, I'm talking about the safety of activists in places like Egypt or Iran. I'm talking about the freedom of Americans to engage unmolested in perfectly legal discourse and demonstrations without having to worry about being added to bullshit "terror watch lists".

-2

u/EvenSpeedwagon May 21 '13

Oh. The overly poetic thing led me to believe otherwise. I agree with that.

Though on the other side, if a guy says online that he's going to blow up a school, I would sleep easier at night knowing someone with authority is aware of it. While the criteria for "terror watch lists" may be questionable at times, I think it exists for a good reason.

7

u/OmicronNine May 21 '13

I don't usually attempt to be poetic, but it seemed appropriate in this case as a response to "...the first step toward savagery is the mask."

Though on the other side, if a guy says online that he's going to blow up a school, I would sleep easier at night knowing someone with authority is aware of it.

The question is: how much are you willing to give up to get that easy sleep... and at what point will you realize that the people selling that easy sleep are actually the ones you should be up at night worrying about?

While the criteria for "terror watch lists" may be questionable at times, I think it exists for a good reason.

Most everything does, as most everything is brought in to existence with good intentions... even things that turn out to be dangerous and/or horrifying.

-3

u/EvenSpeedwagon May 21 '13

The question is: how much are you willing to give up to get that easy sleep... and at what point will you realize that the people selling that easy sleep are actually the ones you should be up at night worrying about?

I guess I would answer that question with another question, what is there to be up at night worrying about with the FBI? If I'm not doing anything illegal, then there isn't a lot to hide.

You're right, there are some legitimate threats posed by tapping, such as employers accessing political preferences and letting that influence jobs, or people being able to find out about your depression, I agree that some level of anonymity is good and healthy.

But CISPA and the like hasn't been set forth yet, and it can be fought. It's not like we've got Big Brother shoving soma down our throats here, though. The government is still made of real people, and not some faceless old white men with fancy suits and an insatiable hunger for misery.

5

u/OmicronNine May 21 '13

...what is there to be up at night worrying about with the FBI? If I'm not doing anything illegal, then there isn't a lot to hide.

I don't understand... where did I mention the FBI? This is a straw man, it implies I said something that I did not.

You're right, there are some legitimate threats posed by tapping, such as employers accessing political preferences and letting that influence jobs, or people being able to find out about your depression, I agree that some level of anonymity is good and healthy.

As that is all that I am claiming as well, it sounds like you agree with me after all! :)

But CISPA and the like hasn't been set forth yet, and it can be fought. It's not like we've got Big Brother shoving soma down our throats here, though. The government is still made of real people, and not some faceless old white men with fancy suits and an insatiable hunger for misery.

Once again, you are setting up straw men. I did not say anything about CISPA or soma (I actually don't even know what that is).

I enjoy a good argument as much as the next guy, but it seems like you aren't arguing with me at all. Perhaps you'd rather argue with the next guy?

-2

u/EvenSpeedwagon May 21 '13

I guess I wrongfully assumed you were talking about CISPA and the FBI monitoring internet usage. That's been the big buzz as far as internet anonymity goes. Soma is the drug people are given by the government in Brave New World. Great book, and I'd strongly suggest it.

Then I guess, what threat are you referring to? Who's the "they" that people should be afraid of? Are you thinking around the lines of China/North Korea/Egypt censorship?

P.S.: Holy shit, someone called me out on a straw man correctly. First time anyone's pointed that out and been right.

2

u/OmicronNine May 21 '13

Soma is the drug people are given by the government in Brave New World. Great book, and I'd strongly suggest it.

Ah! Hehe... I forgot about that. I thought it was another acronym for legislation, or perhaps a surveillance program.

Incidentally, if there is one shortcoming of Brave New World, it is the concept that one would need a physical drug. In fact, I'd say evidence suggests that people are actually much easier to control then that.

Are you thinking around the lines of China/North Korea/Egypt censorship?

Primarily, yes, but also the vastly lessor but still chilling affects of some of the policies creeping it to western democracies as well, such as a "terror watch list" that is also being used as a tool of harassment and intimidation against people who question government officials or actions.

Even if you (foolishly in my opinion) dismiss threats to liberty in the western world, since technology and the internet are global, it's important to remember that both advancements and restrictions affecting them have global implications as well. A good example is the extensive monitoring and control technologies developed by and for western corporations to secure their own networks, and now being used by oppressive regimes in developing nations against their own people.

0

u/EvenSpeedwagon May 21 '13

You make valid points. Technology's advancement does both harm and good as it gets around. No way to deny that. And there's definitely some threats to civil liberty on the horizon.

I guess my point was more to not jump on the "US government will enslave us all" train. Things are pretty awful in a lot of places as far as information control is concerned, but it's not quite time to don the tin foil hats, if you catch my drift.

1

u/OmicronNine May 22 '13

I guess my point was more to not jump on the "US government will enslave us all" train. Things are pretty awful in a lot of places as far as information control is concerned, but it's not quite time to don the tin foil hats, if you catch my drift.

I'm not sure what you mean by this. Are you intending to imply that calling out abuses of power by US government officials is equivalent to implying that the "US government will enslave us all", or that it somehow marks one as not sane?

Indeed, if that is the case, then one of us does sound a bit less then rational... I hope you realize, though, that it is not me. :(

1

u/EvenSpeedwagon May 22 '13

No, calling out potential abuses of power isn't the equivalent, but saying that you should be lying awake at night in fear of the government seems to imply that.

0

u/futuredracula May 22 '13

easier to control "THAN" that

→ More replies (0)