Stephen's Response:
      Encryption enhances communication in the same manner that language enhanced our thoughts to begin the oral culture. Encryption is a language that channels our thoughts. If it is believed that language is a medium, and I do, than one is also to believe encryption is a medium. Hence, encryption is a communication technology.

Jamie's Response:
      Expanding on the above point encryption, no matter how simple or complex, it is adding a layer to language (written or oral). To use a metaphor, it is like taking a message and locking it in a box. Only certain people have the key and are able to open the message. That box could be anything from invisible ink, to a little known language, to complex ciphers, to unbreakable computer programs. The point it as Stephen said above, encryption is enhancing our message so it is not longer just a thought. It becomes a message with a layered structure making it anything but straightforward.

Amy's Response:
      Yes, these groups are able to survive without physical contact or close proximity. The groups are semi autonomous, loosely connected, no leader or boss, decentralized, and no formal hierarchy is necessary. Furthermore, the Internet allows groups or armies to unite and communicate over vast distances, and they are able to formulate a unified mission without being together physically, as before.

Stephen's Response:
      Advances in technology create smarter and more capable human beings. In the past, Army units needed to be in close contact with each other in order to carry out a plan. Human contact was essential in early forms of encryption. However, this has changed with the advent of the long distance communication technologies (in particular, the Internet). With the creation of such technologies, it is possible for an army to be spread over a vast distance and due to the high speed of communication that these technologies allow for; a plan can be coded, sent and carried out at the drop of a hat. All of this leads to a new kind of war.

Jamie's Response:
      Yes, I would have to say that advances in encryption technology have played a major role in creating this "new kind of war." Woodward stated that " such a communications network enables terrorist groups to share information, stay loosely connected across national boundaries and operate semi-autonomously without the need for a traditional leader." There was a crucial need for fast, accurate and detailed information and computer-mediated encryption met that need head on.

Stephen's Response:
      Unfortunately the means my which the Internet is governed aren't exactly clear. Here in the states freedom of speech is granted and as I proposed before, encryption is indeed a language. How can we limit the right for the government to censor whom makes and who breaks codes without violating the 1st Amendment.

Alexa's Response:
      As an advocate of encryption I believe that everyone has a constitutional right to privacy, especially in a "democratic" society. Under "Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights "no one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference upon his privacy, family, home, or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor or reputation (Draper)." It should be nobody's opportunity to infringe or intrude on another human being's life.

Jamie's Response:
      Even if guidelines and standards for encryption could be reached by a governing body, the UN for example, the people who would use encryption for such nefarious purposes would be undeterred by such guidelines. The only people who would really be regulated are the people whose encrypted information is, for the most part, above board. Specifically regarding September 11th I do not believe any restrictions on strong codes would have made a difference. Electrical technology is so integrated into our lives; a smart (but still nefarious) individual may choose to revert to much more primitive encryption methods, involving for example, the mail (which was mentioned in class).

Amy's Response:
      These events changed our perspectives and forced us to view everyday technologies in a new light. Before we viewed the Internet as an Information Superhighway, or a frontier, and now many of us see it as this tool for destruction that was used by the terrorists.

Stephen's Response:
      After an event like the Attack on America we now must look at the big picture. Referring to an event such as that on September 11th we will now invent technologies with this in mind and better monitoring devices will come hand in hand with new technology. My response is simple. We cannot determine all of the possible uses of a technology before it is created. Unfortunately trial and error leads to the finding of such catastrophic events. We cannot always be prepared for all possible events, but we must learn from them.

Jamie's Response:
      Terrorists do use communication technology different than we do. Terrorists are a culture of their own, defined by their worldviews, goals and sometimes religion. A distinct part of communicating in this culture is the need to be secret. The messages that make them terrorists cannot be sent via typical or normal communication conduits, at least not without some form of security. Messages on the Internet need to be encrypted and hidden, phone calls need to be scrambled and so forth.
       Postman stated, "The clearest way to see through a culture is to attend to its tools for conversation." This could be said about terrorist's culture as well. Separating them from any other culture they may be a part of (religion, nationality, student, soldier etc) it is easier to understand why their communication using the same devices is unique. Messages, as stated earlier, need to be sent in complex code. They were allegedly hidden on the Internet, so designated "dead drop" points needed to be selected. The content of the messages is also important. There is no small talk or chitchat before "getting down to business." It is essential information only. Once the task has been completed, there is no need for further communication, and they can revert to an everyday culture.

Stephen's Response:
      No, I do not feel safe knowing that fraud still exists and is prominent within the Internet. The idea of someone setting me up to take my money (in the case of travel accommodation fraud) makes me feel quite insecure.

Jamie's Response:
      First, let me begin with explain the idea of computers as a "way of being." Computers, especially with the capabilities provided by the Internet, can go beyond the level of assisting with basic tasks. Computers can now "connect" people across the globe and at the extreme end of the spectrum, create a whole new world with nothing but text. For the average American, computers are something that are easily accessible. They are in many homes, schools, and public libraries. There are cyber cafés where one can go online and have a latte and a muffin. The point is, computers are part of our lives. We can shop and bank online. We can keep in touch with family and friends. We can meet strangers or look at dirty pictures. We can even play cards. A whole slew of everyday tasks have now been computerized. The computer is much, much more than a tool. It is not a hammer or a blender. It has many faces, all of which we are coming to believe we cannot live without. It is becoming a "way of being."
       For a terrorist however, the computer is just the opposite. A terrorist's culture is defined by worldviews and political agendas. The computer is a tool for transferring essential documents and information, far from a "way of being."