Quote from: Addy on September 27, 2012, 12:20 pmMandatory PGP will not be implemented. Silk Road is a business, and this is something we must never forget. Forcing security precautions that aren't absolutely necessary will only drive some people away. Bitcoin (or another anonymous currency) and Tor (or another anonymous network) are necessary because without them, the feds would be busting down all our doors (DPR's included. Look at the Farmer's Market). Driving people away will only hurt sales, and by extension, hurt whatever commission is gained on each sale.I'm not sure whether or not I support mandatory PGP, but in any case it won't happen. I like the idea that SR suggests its use while someone is ordering something, maybe next to the address box:"For maximum security, consider using PGP when sending your seller your address. More info can be found here: [links to the wiki and a forum thread]"I agree, for two reasonsA: It's not just PGP that is a security risk. There are other factors too! Factors which may require funding!B: People learn best by making mistakes, maybe they shouldn't, but they do. So I'd prefer a consumer to do X transactions, then realize the need for PGP, than to run into a wall and give up when they realize they need to understand PGP. Not making it mandatory makes the learning curve a gentler slope.On the other hand, I believe SR should be pushing non-coercive methods, using UI (user interface) design and behavioral psychology to tilt the balance in our favor. i.e. that prompt we mentioned, but there are also lots of other good ideas out there.Vendors in particular, ought to be the main area of focus, maybe they should be prompted in some manner much more frequently than consumers if they aren't using PGP.The most important thing, is that people realize this is a one-time cognitive investment and pays dividends, and secondly, that they have a civic responsibility to pass it on. This way it's not all on poor pine and guru and the other hardworking pgp helpers. We're simply security sheep dogs of a sort, we can't stop people running to the wolves. So we need to look after people but not be too paternalistic or we become a crutch. Some people think PGP Club is a paint by the numbers exercise and they are to be guided by the hand for every single thing. That is not possible, thinking like that will get you in trouble. Your first defense if an independent inquiring mind. Think of PGP Club as your secondary parachute! It makes mistakes, recoverable. And now I return to PGP Club! I shall have to make a new thread and make synopsis of the old one. Our old thread has achieved its function admirably, but it has also been a victim of its own success by appearing too formidable to newbies due to its sheer size since almost nobody will trawl through it all.