Silk Road forums
Discussion => Silk Road discussion => Topic started by: HarmReduction on June 05, 2013, 02:52 pm
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Hi My name is Tim Bingham and I am currently undertaking a pilot study on Silk Road vendors . I already have a journal published about Silk Road (http://www.ijdp.org/article/S0955-3959(13)00006-6/abstract) A thread on this study can be found http://dkn255hz262ypmii.onion/index.php?topic=147885.0
This study on Vendors follows on from a study I have just completed with a number of buyers from the site.
The research has received ethical approval from Waterford Institute of Technology
Your Participation in the research will be confidential, voluntary You can can refuse to answer any questions and are free to withdraw your consent at any time.
No identifying information will be solicited from you
My contact email is hrireland@tormail.com
If you would like more info and the questions please DM me
Thanks Tim
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Hi My name is Tim Bingham and I am currently undertaking a pilot study on Silk Road vendors . I already have a journal published about Silk Road (http://www.ijdp.org/article/S0955-3959(13)00006-6/abstract) A thread on this study can be found http://dkn255hz262ypmii.onion/index.php?topic=147885.0
This study on Vendors follows on from a study I have just completed with a number of buyers from the site.
The research has received ethical approval from Waterford Institute of Technology
Your Participation in the research will be confidential, voluntary You can can refuse to answer any questions and are free to withdraw your consent at any time.
No identifying information will be solicited from you
My contact email is hrireland@tormail.com
If you would like more info and the questions please DM me
Thanks Tim
hey how about we just meet up in person and have a coffee and chat?
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[/quote]
hey how about we just meet up in person and have a coffee and chat?
[/quote]
@Eleanorrobot ;) ok
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Academic research is important -it paints the community in a positive light because it removes all biases and irrationality from the discussion of SR. Would you mind going into to some more detail about this Tim, please?
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hey how about we just meet up in person and have a coffee and chat?
I can bring the coffee cake! 8)
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Academic research is important -it paints the community in a positive light because it removes all biases and irrationality from the discussion of SR.
It also a way for politicians to finger paint and dabble to their likings. Every upside has a downside. What kind of reception do you think this would most likely received in the media? This is not some study on the conductance of material but a 'see as fit' free for all for anyone to frame a picture around. The less is known and said the better, that my opinion. It has worked for large parts in the top tiers of piracy/warez (aka the scene) and it has worked for the DoD.
Any vendor and highly involved member is best to keep silent. Those are just my five cents. The less information available to the public they better.
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What field are you studying? Sounds like a good social anthro thesis to me. This kind of research is fascinating to me.
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Nice that you got ethics board approval
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Thanks for all your feedback its encouraging :) @Sharonneedles this research really came out of 2 other studies I have done with SR buyers , the first one I have put a link to on this thread, the other one with SR buyers is more extensive and is under review at the moment.
@Morganeverett I was delighted to get ethics approval on this as well
If any of you are in contact with vendors please could you let them know about this study ideally I am looking for about 30 Vendors to make this a comprehensive study
Thanks
Tim
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Would you mind going into to some more detail about this Tim, please?
Though it seems the only reason to need to actually interview vendors is for personal/lifestyle type questions which I hope no vendors are stupid enough to do.
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Please, no one be stupid enough to participate in this, nothing good will come of this. Just think what Pine would say....
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I am assuming that you have approached DPR regarding this before being so presumptuous as to post in the SR forums on such matters?
If not GTFO.
I am sure you will understand my sentiment.
SSBD
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hey how about we just meet up in person and have a coffee and chat?
I can bring the coffee cake! 8)
Prefer Chocolate ;-) see you later
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Would you mind going into to some more detail about this Tim, please?
Though it seems the only reason to need to actually interview vendors is for personal/lifestyle type questions which I hope no vendors are stupid enough to do.
I have sent you a copy of the journal paper as you requested
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Care to comment on my question then Tim?
Think people, think!
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Care to comment on my question then Tim?
Think people, think!
Thanks I was in contact with DPR last year about a study I did with a number of SR buyers ( this is still under review) in the communication I am pretty sure I did mention this vendor study - I have emailed DPR on this but thanks for bringing this up
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Care to comment on my question then Tim?
Think people, think!
Thanks I was in contact with DPR last year about a study I did with a number of SR buyers ( this is still under review) in the communication I am pretty sure I did mention this vendor study - I have emailed DPR on this but thanks for bringing this up
Glad to hear it.
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+1 @Goblin
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MEMEMEMEMEMEMEME , PLZZZZZZZZZZ . I have a really REALLY interesting story to tell , honest , no REALLY !!!! . I don't want fame but I would love to have the sacrifices that I've made and the hardship I've undergone recognized . Your place or mine ?
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I am assuming that you have approached DPR regarding this before being so presumptuous as to post in the SR forums on such matters?
If not GTFO.
I am sure you will understand my sentiment.
SSBD
Email reply from DPR - feel free, thanks for your interest :)
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Academic research is important -it paints the community in a positive light because it removes all biases and irrationality from the discussion of SR. Would you mind going into to some more detail about this Tim, please?
The study aims to
1. Describe how Silk Road is used by vendors and the process of becoming an effective vendor
2. Gather information from vendors about their positive and negative experiences using Silk Road and encrypted currency
3. Describe the reasons to justify the vendors preference for using Silk Road instead of street dealing drug dealing or other online sites
4. Describe how and if Silk Road vendors reduce the risk of harm to the buyers
5. Describe how vendors ensure quality and customer satisfaction
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I am assuming that you have approached DPR regarding this before being so presumptuous as to post in the SR forums on such matters?
If not GTFO.
I am sure you will understand my sentiment.
SSBD
Email reply from DPR - feel free, thanks for your interest :)
All good, I'm sure you can appreciate my concern and it is after all the courteous thing to do under the circumstances.
Green light given, I'll leave you alone now ;)
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I would not participate in this study and urge all vendors to be vigilant and do the same . Buyers have a lot less to loose than vendors
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I would not participate in this study and urge all vendors to be vigilant and do the same . Buyers have a lot less to loose than vendors
I disagree with you that buyers have as much to loose than vendors - it all depends on the amount buyers are purchasing. The study has come about from 2 other studies I have done with buyers I agree with you that vendors do have to be vigilant about what they say. I would hope that before condemning the research you would have looked into my other work ( i.e. the published paper on SR ) and the thread to see that DPR has ok'd this research he has also received the questions . Vendors can answer the questions they want to
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Danger, Will Robinson! (Hope this does not give any hints about my age)
My advice would be to not tell this study anything you would not be willing to publish publicly here.
Remember there is no such thing as "off the record", and a promise of confidentiality is just a promise from a person. Stay out of jail my fellow vendors, and do NOT talk about other vendors.
That being said I am looking forward to reading the results of this study, and hope that any mention of me is drawn from public postings.
I agree with the need for this type of research but it must research what the Silk Road presents to the public, a tangle of secrecy. We must not treat any research as a trusted group and keep our rules about secrecy the same.
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I would not participate in this study and urge all vendors to be vigilant and do the same . Buyers have a lot less to loose than vendors
Danger! Stear clear!
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Danger, Will Robinson!
My advice would be to not tell this study anything you would not be willing to publish publicly here.
Remember there is no such thing as "off the record", and a promise of confidentiality is just a promise from a person. Stay out of jail my fellow vendors, and do NOT talk about other vendors.
That being said I am looking forward to reading the results of this study, and hope the any mention of me is drawn from public postings.
I am not asking Vendors to mention any other Vendors I am not asking for any identifiable information and that includes SR profile info - All I can do is ask people to participate if they want to. This study will only work if enough vendors participate
Here are a few articles (clear web ) on me
Human Rights and Drugs, Irish Press Ombudsman upholds complaint from coalition of drug services
http://www.academia.edu/2068142/Irish_Press_Ombudsman_upholds_complaint_from_coalition_of_drug_services
http://www.herald.ie/news/campaigners-call-for-safety-zones-to-treat-drugged-fans-28013104.html
Column: To fight the drug problem, we must treat users with compassion
http://www.dailyedge.ie/readme/column-to-fight-the-drug-problem-we-must-treat-users-with-compassion-350777-Feb2012/
Hope this gives a clearer picture
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I got the same message. Just with like 100 questions after that basically ask for identifying information.
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i really cant even fathom the idea that there r vendors that would even contemplate answering
anything this PERSON asks. x.x
half a moe - wtf am i thinking?
yea - all the vendors that sent bitcoins to the scammer pm's! rofl
carry on - stiff upper lip!
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OP isn't asking to meet in person, neither is he looking for personal information to identify you. Please read his posts before condemning his intentions.
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OP isn't asking to meet in person, neither is he looking for personal information to identify you. Please read his posts before condemning his intentions.
Sharonneedles thanks :-) l assumed people would know l was joking about meeting vendors - but it seems as if l was wrong l hoped people would read the published paper to know my intentions for doing this research especially as its intended for an academic journal however l do appreciate people's hesitations on this study All l can do is ask people to participate
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Hi My name is Tim Bingham and I am currently undertaking a pilot study on Silk Road vendors . I already have a journal published about Silk Road (http://www.ijdp.org/article/S0955-3959(13)00006-6/abstract) A thread on this study can be found http://dkn255hz262ypmii.onion/index.php?topic=147885.0
This study on Vendors follows on from a study I have just completed with a number of buyers from the site.
The research has received ethical approval from Waterford Institute of Technology
Your Participation in the research will be confidential, voluntary You can can refuse to answer any questions and are free to withdraw your consent at any time.
No identifying information will be solicited from you
My contact email is hrireland@tormail.com
If you would like more info and the questions please DM me
Thanks Tim
I'd be up for it Tim, I don't really care if anyone knows I was a Bitcoin Trader as that isn't illegal in itself, send me a message sometime, I'll share my thoughts.
Vlad1m1r.
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@Harm Reduction
perhaps you should give an overview of how you maintained anonymity and kept confidentiality during the conversations in the two previous papers and any suggestions you might have to add to these mechanisms this time round.
skype may not be the best way this time but there are otr apps that could be used instead. Part of the problem you are going to have is that you're going to get fantasists contacting you and you are going to need some way of verifying something about these people to weed them out.
Good luck with your research.
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@Harm Reduction
perhaps you should give an overview of how you maintained anonymity and kept confidentiality during the conversations in the two previous papers and any suggestions you might have to add to these mechanisms this time round.
skype may not be the best way this time but there are otr apps that could be used instead. Part of the problem you are going to have is that you're going to get fantasists contacting you and you are going to need some way of verifying something about these people to weed them out.
Good luck with your research.
Abbey thanks - good to know your still around :) All questions the questions were emailed or DM'd in plain text format to people in the previous research. Everyone was reminded not to send anything that would identify them . NO Silk Road ID is EVER USED in the research - all quotes are quoted as ' participant'.
I NEVER use skype TBH it was only a very naive thought at the beginning of 2012 with my first piece of research last year . I do use tor chat on occasions but this only happens when people are happy to do so. I do now use PGP those vendors who have emailed me using my tormail account have used this and TBH I am happier with this way as everyone feels safer.
I want to be transparent with why I am doing this research its received ethical approval which means I have ethical procedures to follow . Its easy enough to google my work.
Abbey does this answer your question - happy to expand if I have left anything out / Abbey +1 for your question appreciating your honesty & support
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Thanks for the reply.
Are you going to approach any vendors or is it all going to be self selection? Are you interested in the variations of attitude between vendors in different countries or between bulk and consumer vendors or do you think you're not going to get enough of a sample to do that kind of analysis?
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For what it's worth (and I know the word of a journalist means less than sweet FA to many of you ;) ), Tim's organisation does important and respected research centred solely on harm reduction. It's an unpopular and thankless agenda. By all means, don't take part if you don't want, but academic research in this field is important and saves lives, so if you are into that, I suggest giving the guy a go. :)
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subbing
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Anyone who knows of a good Tor filehosting service? Ill upload the pdf of Tim's previous article there for everyone to look at.
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Onion file share - http://f3ew3p7s6lbftqm5.onion/
sTORage - http://utovvyhaflle76gh.onion/
:)
EDIT: both down ATM >:(
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Anyone who knows of a good Tor filehosting service? Ill upload the pdf of Tim's previous article there for everyone to look at.
Thanks a million I did email the contact on the tor library about uploading this but they have not got back to me - Appreciate this
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Academic research is important -it paints the community in a positive light because it removes all biases and irrationality from the discussion of SR. Would you mind going into to some more detail about this Tim, please?
How perfectly optimistic you are. Academic research is pure and heartwarming. Wrong. Academic research is rife with politics and career-builders. The goal is tenure, from which there is no falling from the ivory tower, no matter how dismal the quality of research. Ultimately, daily decisions are made by a select few. Namely, pundits, interest groups, lobbyists, and politicians--all of which are herded by lawyers, like sheep through the shire.
For what it's worth (and I know the word of a journalist means less than sweet FA to many of you ;) ), Tim's organisation does important and respected research centred solely on harm reduction. It's an unpopular and thankless agenda. By all means, don't take part if you don't want, but academic research in this field is important and saves lives, so if you are into that, I suggest giving the guy a go. :)
Unpopular and thankless: we can change this.
Be wary of the limitless and redundant documents out there. Most of academic research is impotent, like finding bitcoins on a CPU. It doesn't stand up through the tempest of time because it does not carry its own weight in pulp.
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Anyone who knows of a good Tor filehosting service? Ill upload the pdf of Tim's previous article there for everyone to look at.
I tried giving you positive feedback but SR notified me that I did so already recently and have to wait 72 hours. By far the most thoughtful and appreciative vendor on SR. What a gent! ;D
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Academic research is important -it paints the community in a positive light because it removes all biases and irrationality from the discussion of SR. Would you mind going into to some more detail about this Tim, please?
How perfectly optimistic you are. Academic research is pure and heartwarming. Wrong. Academic research is rife with politics and career-builders. The goal is tenure, from which there is no falling from the ivory tower, no matter how dismal the quality of research. Ultimately, daily decisions are made by a select few. Namely, pundits, interest groups, lobbyists, and politicians--all of which are herded by lawyers, like sheep through the shire.
For what it's worth (and I know the word of a journalist means less than sweet FA to many of you ;) ), Tim's organisation does important and respected research centred solely on harm reduction. It's an unpopular and thankless agenda. By all means, don't take part if you don't want, but academic research in this field is important and saves lives, so if you are into that, I suggest giving the guy a go. :)
Unpopular and thankless: we can change this.
Be wary of the limitless and redundant documents out there. Most of academic research is impotent, like finding bitcoins on a CPU. It doesn't stand up through the tempest of time because it does not carry its own weight in pulp.
You may be disappointed to discover that universities are no longer exempt from the constraints of capitalism and they too have performance targets that need to be met. Universities have been dumbed down for years now as research budgets have been slashed and fees introduced. Even 10 years ago, if you paid to go to uni and turned up and handed everything in you'd get your degree. The quality of the submissions became a less important feature. That's the way of the world these days, we no longer value education for itself and see it as a tool in a career path.
So whilst I'm sure that there is an element of this in Tim's work, the bigger picture here is that by demonstrating that a better informed consumer base actually benefits public health because it enables consumers to make sensible choices. When it comes to discussions on drug policy, there's very little out there that supports decriminalisation apart from anecdotal evidence. If his work is included in discussions on drug policy then perhaps (politics aside) better decisions will be made by politicians.
Which is why it is important that these papers are produced. They're certainly not going to change the world as there are no great discoveries to be made from his scope but it does document what we all know and will formalise and provide some academic rigour and credibility for the information produced. From the previous paper, Tim isn't about sensationalising this to further his career. This is more like Dr Livingstone documenting the tribes he found and providing information and context for further study and we do need that further study if we're ever going to have data to counter the anti-drug hysteria and political grandstanding that categorises drug discussions currently.
One of the more interesting things that will come from this is there will be vested interests whose agenda is to knock this kind of thing on the head. There's much more profit and various ego stroking that goes with a black market than a market that is exposed to full market forces and government regulation. It's early, early days yet but it will come.. I have my popcorn handy for when it does.
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Why would anyone want you to publish anything on how vendors go about their business? The secrets are what makes it work.
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Why would anyone want you to publish anything on how vendors go about their business? The secrets are what makes it work.
It's a good thing that he's not doing that then, isn't it? If you go back up the thread you'll see the scope of the work which has no mention about the actual mechanics of dealing, apart from having an opinion on the sales channels used (i.e. SR and the street).
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Academic research is important -it paints the community in a positive light because it removes all biases and irrationality from the discussion of SR. Would you mind going into to some more detail about this Tim, please?
How perfectly optimistic you are. Academic research is pure and heartwarming. Wrong. Academic research is rife with politics and career-builders. The goal is tenure, from which there is no falling from the ivory tower, no matter how dismal the quality of research. Ultimately, daily decisions are made by a select few. Namely, pundits, interest groups, lobbyists, and politicians--all of which are herded by lawyers, like sheep through the shire.
For what it's worth (and I know the word of a journalist means less than sweet FA to many of you ;) ), Tim's organisation does important and respected research centred solely on harm reduction. It's an unpopular and thankless agenda. By all means, don't take part if you don't want, but academic research in this field is important and saves lives, so if you are into that, I suggest giving the guy a go. :)
Unpopular and thankless: we can change this.
Be wary of the limitless and redundant documents out there. Most of academic research is impotent, like finding bitcoins on a CPU. It doesn't stand up through the tempest of time because it does not carry its own weight in pulp.
You may be disappointed to discover that universities are no longer exempt from the constraints of capitalism and they too have performance targets that need to be met. Universities have been dumbed down for years now as research budgets have been slashed and fees introduced. Even 10 years ago, if you paid to go to uni and turned up and handed everything in you'd get your degree. The quality of the submissions became a less important feature. That's the way of the world these days, we no longer value education for itself and see it as a tool in a career path.
So whilst I'm sure that there is an element of this in Tim's work, the bigger picture here is that by demonstrating that a better informed consumer base actually benefits public health because it enables consumers to make sensible choices. When it comes to discussions on drug policy, there's very little out there that supports decriminalisation apart from anecdotal evidence. If his work is included in discussions on drug policy then perhaps (politics aside) better decisions will be made by politicians.
Which is why it is important that these papers are produced. They're certainly not going to change the world as there are no great discoveries to be made from his scope but it does document what we all know and will formalise and provide some academic rigour and credibility for the information produced. From the previous paper, Tim isn't about sensationalising this to further his career. This is more like Dr Livingstone documenting the tribes he found and providing information and context for further study and we do need that further study if we're ever going to have data to counter the anti-drug hysteria and political grandstanding that categorises drug discussions currently.
One of the more interesting things that will come from this is there will be vested interests whose agenda is to knock this kind of thing on the head. There's much more profit and various ego stroking that goes with a black market than a market that is exposed to full market forces and government regulation. It's early, early days yet but it will come.. I have my popcorn handy for when it does.
More profit and various ego stroking that goes with a black market than a market that is exposed to full market forces and government regulation?
Where have you been over the last decade? Microsoft, Ebay, Amazon, AIG, DOW, DuPont, Monsanto, HSCB, GM, Goldman & Sachs... need I go on? What are "full market forces"? You mean survival of the fittest? In the U.S. Navy, they call cheating "strategic advantage". Go figure... full market forces... heh.
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Thanks for the reply.
Are you going to approach any vendors or is it all going to be self selection? Are you interested in the variations of attitude between vendors in different countries or between bulk and consumer vendors or do you think you're not going to get enough of a sample to do that kind of analysis?
Ideally I would like to have around 30 vendors as participants in various countries - I will be approaching vendors as well but ideally they would approach me I am really happy that a number of vendors have already approached me and have completed the research questions. If you know of any please will you ask them to DM or email me and I will forward on the questions
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More profit and various ego stroking that goes with a black market than a market that is exposed to full market forces and government regulation?
Where have you been over the last decade? Microsoft, Ebay, Amazon, AIG, DOW, DuPont, Monsanto, HSCB, GM, Goldman & Sachs... need I go on? What are "full market forces"? You mean survival of the fittest? In the U.S. Navy, they call cheating "strategic advantage". Go figure... full market forces... heh.
you're cute :) Three paragraphs talking about the point you brought up and you ignore them - then focus on one inappropriate word in a throwaway paragraph!
A+ for comprehension ;)
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More profit and various ego stroking that goes with a black market than a market that is exposed to full market forces and government regulation?
Where have you been over the last decade? Microsoft, Ebay, Amazon, AIG, DOW, DuPont, Monsanto, HSCB, GM, Goldman & Sachs... need I go on? What are "full market forces"? You mean survival of the fittest? In the U.S. Navy, they call cheating "strategic advantage". Go figure... full market forces... heh.
you're cute :) Three paragraphs talking about the point you brought up and you ignore them - then focus on one inappropriate word in a throwaway paragraph!
A+ for comprehension ;)
I favor pointing out bullshit. Should I deconstruct the rest of your blather?
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I received a DM from a SR user asking to look at the replies from vendors To make it straight l will NEVER share these responses for all the obvious reasons If people think l am stupid enough to think l will do this then they dont know me >:(
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So I've sent you a message, I think I am somewhat atypical of SR vendors but I'm fairly game for this sort of thing.
SR has been great to me and allowed me to make some serious medical advancements, I would be happy to share how laughing at prohibition is helping me and others.
That said I will be strictly reviewing any questions asked before I even think about taking part but I'm pretty open to it.
As I mentioned in the PM I sent you I would suggest checking out my vendor page to get a bit of an idea of what I do.
Jah Bless
The Doctor
P.S. I am UK based if that makes any difference. I'm also confident enough in my package safety to deliver to the police directly so I'll even consider sending you samples.
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Thanks to all the vendors so far who have been in touch and who have completed the research questions - I am so thankful and the data I am getting is very interesting ;)
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I've had a look at the questions and it should be obvious but bears repeating that you are not obliged to answer all the questions and certainly there are some you should not answer (you'll know what they are when you read them).
After reading the questions, did some google-fu and as far as I can see, Tim is acting in a freelance capacity for this as he is not employed by any university. He does appear to publish in conjunction with Dr Marie Claire Van Hout who is a lecturer at the Waterford Institute of Technology, which is how (I assume) the ethics committee at Waterford came to be involved.
Most questions are either too woolly or are generally harmless and being charitable I'll put the missteps down to Tim not reading as much of the forum as he should have before he wrote his questions, so there are elements of it that you do need to be very wary. I can certainly understand the mistrust earlier in the thread now - assuming it came from people who actually had read the questions, rather than a general hysteria but my original point still stands - we do need more rational discussion on drugs and how a more legitimate market would reduce the harm caused because people have more information to make a rational choice and there's enough questions around that will give him enough information to generate the equivalent of his first paper. I hope this will be published under the Waterford Institute of Technology umbrella to give it more gravitas but if not, it will still add something positive (I hope) to the debate.
feel free to flame me now ;)
for those of you who want to do some more background checks before you consider taking part and want to save a bit of time googling the basics, I've got some links that I'll happily pm to anyone who wants them.
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Abbey -yes it will be published under waterford it has to be as WIT provided the ethics research as l mentioned l am very googleable ;) as you have found out We are hoping to punlish this study in an international academic journal as it gives alot more credence to the study
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So I had a look through the questionnaire and I have to say that you have missed out entirely on the point of SR.
I would also recommend NOT asking people for their buying information and other things that are obviously sensitive.
I wish you the best of luck in your work, if you would like to have a serious conversation about the socio-political ramifications and potentials of SR I would be happy to discuss them with you but I do not feel that questionnaire is going to provide you with any results either for statistical analysis or drawing any kind of salient conclusion.
I hope you have a nice day and find enough respondents to provide some meaningful data.
Sorry for being so rude, I'm usually a lot nicer, I promise.
Jah Bless
The Doctor
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I would also recommend NOT asking people for their buying information and other things that are obviously sensitive.
These questions HAVE BEEN REMOVED as always stated they were optional to reply to however in fairness people have emailed me asking for these to be removed which I have done . If I removed these questions before hand without ethics consent the research would have not fulfilled the ethical requirements however now I have the evidence that people from SR have requested these to be removed I can do that and I have
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I would also recommend NOT asking people for their buying information and other things that are obviously sensitive.
These questions HAVE BEEN REMOVED as always stated they were optional to reply to however in fairness people have emailed me asking for these to be removed which I have done . If I removed these questions before hand without ethics consent the research would have not fulfilled the ethical requirements however now I have the evidence that people from SR have requested these to be removed I can do that and I have
I officially remove any support I have offered you and please do not bother me if you ever want to do anything like this now or in the future.
I offered constructive criticism and you replied like a knob, if you want my help try being nice, not copy/pasting your questionnaire with your standard message. I was polite, nice and I think constructive and you are just plain rude.
Good luck finding people to help you with this, the community here doesn't respond well to people with horrible attitudes, particularly when you are asking for their time.
Jah Bless
The Doctor
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I would also recommend NOT asking people for their buying information and other things that are obviously sensitive.
These questions HAVE BEEN REMOVED as always stated they were optional to reply to however in fairness people have emailed me asking for these to be removed which I have done . If I removed these questions before hand without ethics consent the research would have not fulfilled the ethical requirements however now I have the evidence that people from SR have requested these to be removed I can do that and I have
I officially remove any support I have offered you and please do not bother me if you ever want to do anything like this now or in the future.
I offered constructive criticism and you replied like a knob, if you want my help try being nice, not copy/pasting your questionnaire with your standard message. I was polite, nice and I think constructive and you are just plain rude.
Good luck finding people to help you with this, the community here doesn't respond well to people with horrible attitudes, particularly when you are asking for their time.
Jah Bless
The Doctor
I am really sorry I did not mean to come across rude the reason I put in caps was to emphasise that they have been removed after your comment and a few emails I received . I really appreciated your constructive comments. Again I am sorry I didn't mean to come across rude
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bump. hasnb't been enough action on this thread yet.
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they have all the reports on here my friend but it costs money.ask about the vendors :-X
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Ok - just an update thanks to everyone who has DM'd me and made suggestions also thanks to the vendors who have responded and some really comprehensive responses - It would be great to have 10 more vendors to respond this will give a decent enough number for the pilot study.
A few people have suggested that I should just post the questions here -
( I have to say this ) Your Participation in the research will be confidential, voluntary You can can refuse to answer any questions and NO identifying information will be sought from you and NO SILK ROAD ID is EVER quoted in the research just the term 'participant' The research has received ethical approval from Waterford Institute of Technology in Ireland and received permission from admin on Silk Road (DPR)
Gender
Male
Female
Age
20 – 24
25 – 29
30 – 34
35-39
40-44
45-50
50+
Employment
Full time
Part time
Unemployed
Third Level Education
Accessing Silk Road
When did you become aware of Silk Road?
Did you use other drug related sites for the accessing of information or drug purchasing before accessing Silk Road?
What were your reasons for accessing Silk Road?
What is your opinion on the Tor system?
What is your opinion on Bitcoins?
Do you have concerns around the fluctuation in the valuation?
Do you interact with site members on the forums?
Can you describe your purchasing history on the site?
Vending on Silk Road
What motivated you to set up a vendor account?
Did you sell drugs outside of Silk Road, before you set up a Silk Road vendor account? Which drugs? Are they different to what you sell on Silk Road?
What year did you start selling on Silk Road?
In your experience, what are the advantages and disadvantages of selling drugs using
Silk Road compared with (a) other websites, (b) traditional drug markets?
What drugs do you sell on Silk Road?
Have you ever had to change supplier? If yes why?
Can you describe the process of setting up a vendor account on the site?
How do you ensure you attract new customers?
Would you sell to a person with under 5 previous transaction? If no why ?
Do you select your customers based on their feedback ratings?
How do you maintain a customer base?
Is there competition between vendors?
Can you describe the current vendor market on the site?
Quality and Customer Satisfaction
What is your opinion on Silk Road as reducing harm to buyers?
How do you ensure the quality of the products you sell?
Do you have any concerns around the quality of your products?
Have you ever experienced a customer overdosing on one of your products?
Have you ever experienced a dispute with a customer?
How do you deal with negative feedback from your customers?
Can you describe your experiences of the dispute resolution mode?
Do you operate in stealth mode/listing? If yes, can you explain why?
Dispatch of Products
Where do you dispatch your products to?
Have you concerns around your product being intercepted by customs and excise?
Have you concerns around potential prosecution?
Future Intentions
How do you think Silk Road will develop in years to come?
Have you concerns around cyber security?
Have you concerns that the site will be shut down? If this happens, what will happen to existing drug sales networks?
Have you concerns around stability of Bit Coins and potential law enforcement tactics?
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Thanks
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Switch on your brains!
For what reason is this good.
IT´S PROFILING i guess.
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BubbleBuster far from it please read my profile
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^^ Before judging him you should do a lil research on who he is. He is a prominent member of the harm reduction community, operator of a needle exchange program and admin of a well known harm reduction forum.
If anyone could possibly get positive press for this community it might very well be him, doesn't seem to have an inborn bias toward the drug using community. Still it should be said, you should be very careful about the questions you answer and dont give away packaging or personal information. Generally though, scientific studies do respect anonymity and nobody is usually ever referenced by name.
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so.. Officer Bingham .. do you think they've taken the bait ?
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so.. Officer Bingham .. do you think they've taken the bait ?
Look as I have said in this thread a number of vendors have also replied WITHOUT any identifying information as I keep saying this is voluntary I already have a journal published http://www.ijdp.org/article/S0955-3959(13)00006-6/abstract and its easy to google me and to know who's side I am on also to look at other thread I have contributed to
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^^ Before judging him you should do a lil research on who he is. He is a prominent member of the harm reduction community, operator of a needle exchange program and admin of a well known harm reduction forum.
If anyone could possibly get positive press for this community it might very well be him, doesn't seem to have an inborn bias toward the drug using community. Still it should be said, you should be very careful about the questions you answer and dont give away packaging or personal information. Generally though, scientific studies do respect anonymity and nobody is usually ever referenced by name.
Thanks at least you know who I am and you emphasise (dont give away packaging or personal information). Scientific studies do respect anonymity and nobody is usually ever referenced by name. which is what I have been saying as well
NO SILK ROAD ID is EVER quoted in the research just the term 'participant' I also think if DPR had a problem he/she would have shut me up by now - DPR has seen all the questions and thanked me for the interest and wished me good luck.
If people are interested please make sure you use PGP and email me
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^^ Before judging him you should do a lil research on who he is. He is a prominent member of the harm reduction community, operator of a needle exchange program and admin of a well known harm reduction forum.
If anyone could possibly get positive press for this community it might very well be him, doesn't seem to have an inborn bias toward the drug using community. Still it should be said, you should be very careful about the questions you answer and dont give away packaging or personal information. Generally though, scientific studies do respect anonymity and nobody is usually ever referenced by name.
Done!
Don´t know what to say now....
I think you all agree that too many crazy things happen on/off the road, i just want to stay save, but
@Harmreduction
next Time i will do first.....
May you do well...
Greetz
Bubble
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Thanks BubbleBuster
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Thanks BubbleBuster
Just wanted to jump in and I say that I appreciate what you're doing. I'm an academic myself--not really in a field to study SR though--and definitely think that we can promote understanding in an area like drug use and distribution in a pretty intolerant world. I look forward to reading your work.
Of course, as people have mentioned, there are risks in participating, but they are incredibly minimal (I'd say) and will more than likely have a positive contribution to the drug using community. :)
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Sounds cool what you're doing but definitely expect to keep having people yell at you for being LE HarmReduction lol.
Not sure what I'd do if I were a vendor, but best of luck to you!
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Sounds cool what you're doing but definitely expect to keep having people yell at you for being LE HarmReduction lol.
Not sure what I'd do if I were a vendor, but best of luck to you!
As I have mentioned I am easy enough to google
http://www.humanrightsanddrugs.org/2012/05/tim-bingham-irish-press-ombudsman-upholds-complaint-from-coalition-of-drug-services/
http://rabble.ie/2012/12/03/just-say-know-an-interview-with-the-irish-needle-exchange-forum/
[/quote]
Just wanted to jump in and I say that I appreciate what you're doing. I'm an academic myself--not really in a field to study SR though--and definitely think that we can promote understanding in an area like drug use and distribution in a pretty intolerant world. I look forward to reading your work.
Of course, as people have mentioned, there are risks in participating, but they are incredibly minimal (I'd say) and will more than likely have a positive contribution to the drug using community. :)
[/quote]
Thanks for your support ;)
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Was anyone able to get a copy of the previous journal article hosted?
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Was anyone able to get a copy of the previous journal article hosted?
I have a PDF of it that I'd like to convert to plain text then upload somewhere (so as to not be able to trace it back to me): do you know how I can do this?
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whats there to study, just take ur drugs and get off my lawn
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Thanks to everyone who has responded I just need 3 or 4 more to respond now I am planning to have the this completed by 2nd August
Thanks again
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Was anyone able to get a copy of the previous journal article hosted?
I have a PDF of it that I'd like to convert to plain text then upload somewhere (so as to not be able to trace it back to me): do you know how I can do this?
I work in the drug research field and am happy to upload Tim's article somewhere in Tor without concern about it being traced to me. If someone can PM me instructions, I'll do this (I already have the article).
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I wish Tim the best of luck with this study - it's fascinating to carefully consider the differences/similarities between vending on SR, and selling on street markets, or indeed selling to friends (social supply networks). I'd be interested in what SR vendors see as the advantages and disadvantages of each approach to selling, whether they moved completely to online marketplaces, whether they operate across multiple types of markets, etc.
My work has involved interviewing people who use or sell drugs for many years now - as you can imagine, it is incredibly important for researchers in this field to do everything they can to design their studies so they do not expose participants to the risk of being caught. If that actually happened (if a study led to arrests), we would never be able to do this work again! So a lot of time is spent working out that side of things.
The most important part of the process being that participants never have to answer any particular question. We often have people refuse to answer specific questions, even in studies where we pay cash for face-to-face interviews with drug users. This is completely fine and encouraged by us. Control of information provided should always remain in the participant's hands, IMHO.
Another comment on the state of academia - a few posters earlier in the thread described the problem of academic articles not meaning much and really just there to increase chances of tenure for academics. Yes these are issues in the field. But the other part of it is that the academic journals are staffed by the academics themselves. And many of them in our field are huge supporters of a harm reduction philosophy and of a health/social approach to drugs, rather than a criminal one. So research into SR, and its benefits from a harm reduction perspective, will be well received in these journals. Yes it helps our careers to publish, but it's also a way of getting new perspectives out there and in some cases, we can use these articles to strengthen arguments for policy change.
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$20 million dollars a year :o and $12,000 dollars a day in listing fees nice money 8) for illegal drugs :-X
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I support this project. It's hard doing research in underground areas where subjects could be putting themselves at risk for participating, but sometimes this just makes it more important that the research happens. Otherwise it's just a mountain of propaganda vs personal anecdotes & not enough good information.
@monicabaratt: I'd be interested to read it. Could you just "donate" it to the Imperial Library?
xfmro77i3lixucja.onion/
Because it's an article it might help if you included a note to the librarian (zenow@tormail.org) to explain the work and the requests you've received.
Or two other options here:
i7hknwg4up2jhdkx.onion/
3fnhfsfc2bpzdste.onion/
Note: I don't know much about the second two options so other opinions/ideas are welcome.
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so.. Officer Bingham .. do you think they've taken the bait ?
I would suspect some took hook, line, and sinker. :( Then some of those even offered what was not being asked. :( :(
I don't see any of this being used in anyway that would help our road, but it is easy to see the negatives.
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I support this project. It's hard doing research in underground areas where subjects could be putting themselves at risk for participating, but sometimes this just makes it more important that the research happens. Otherwise it's just a mountain of propaganda vs personal anecdotes & not enough good information.
@monicabaratt: I'd be interested to read it. Could you just "donate" it to the Imperial Library?
xfmro77i3lixucja.onion/
Because it's an article it might help if you included a note to the librarian (zenow@tormail.org) to explain the work and the requests you've received.
Or two other options here:
i7hknwg4up2jhdkx.onion/
3fnhfsfc2bpzdste.onion/
Note: I don't know much about the second two options so other opinions/ideas are welcome.
I can email you the journal paper to your tor mail address
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Thanks again for people who have contacted me about this study - I would like a few more vendors to make this an interesting study .The questions can be found http://dkn255hz262ypmii.onion/index.php?topic=176841.0.msg1270224#1270224. As I mention and I want to reiterate you can choose what questions to answer.
I would be interested to hear from BTC sellers as well just concentrating on the BTC questions
Thanks
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There are issues with tor mail at the moment please DM me your replies and please ensure you use my key
Thanks
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Subbing to see how this all pans out.
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I support this project. It's hard doing research in underground areas where subjects could be putting themselves at risk for participating, but sometimes this just makes it more important that the research happens. Otherwise it's just a mountain of propaganda vs personal anecdotes & not enough good information.
When I first saw HarmReduction's listing the first thing that came to mind was Dr Alfred Kinsey's work. Both are subjects that are hidden by there very nature and the work that Dr Kinsey did changed the world and the way we think about sex. Just as studies like HarmReduction's will, given time, change the way the world sees drugs and drug dealing.
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I support this project. It's hard doing research in underground areas where subjects could be putting themselves at risk for participating, but sometimes this just makes it more important that the research happens. Otherwise it's just a mountain of propaganda vs personal anecdotes & not enough good information.
When I first saw HarmReduction's listing the first thing that came to mind was Dr Alfred Kinsey's work. Both are subjects that are hidden by there very nature and the work that Dr Kinsey did changed the world and the way we think about sex. Just as studies like HarmReduction's will, given time, change the way the world sees drugs and drug dealing.
Thanks ever so much for your comments - they are really appreciated
I am hoping to finish the data collection in the next 2 weeks so if anyone else is interested in answering the questions please could you do this within the next 2 weeks - The more that reply the better the data please remember that only answer the questions that you feel comfortable answering and use my key in replying
Thanks
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Folks, never discuss the inner workings of this community to anyone.
The public's opinion (influenced and shaped subliminally by "the man") has been cast and set already. To them, SR = the insidious, vermin-filled, virtual back alleyway of the internet. In my opinion, no amount of research presented to the public, even with positive/enlightening descriptors, is going to change that (which I trulely wish wasn't the case).
Keeping low and having a healthy dose of skepticism are vital to the continuity of this experiment.
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Folks, never discuss the inner workings of this community to anyone.
The public's opinion (influenced and shaped subliminally by "the man") has been cast and set already. To them, SR = the insidious, vermin-filled, virtual back alleyway of the internet. In my opinion, no amount of research presented to the public, even with positive/enlightening descriptors, is going to change that (which I trulely wish wasn't the case).
Keeping low and having a healthy dose of skepticism are vital to the continuity of this experiment.
Or you could present the public with facts and allow them to make their own judgements without the spin from the "man". I don't see how this piece of research from a learning institute could be influenced by any man other than the publisher. It is based in WIT in Ireland and not under scrutiny of the tyrannical US government.
Lets spread real information and gain public support for harm reduction and decriminalisation. Maybe one day we won't have to even go to the internet black market to safely obtain drugs.
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That may work for cannabis, but other "harder" substances will never be legalized, even if it meant greater safety for both the user and seller of said substances. It's naive to think otherwise.
Besides the few oases around the world where cannabis use is decriminalized or allowed on a limited basis, there is a basically a global ban. Western Europe may have less stringent laws regarding illicit use than the US, but that doesn't mean it's fully allowed or one still won't be punished for related offenses (especially if one manufactures/distributes).
You must've not read my post in it's entirety. I said that I would love to support initiatives like this one -- if they actually resulted in decreased ignorance and increased acceptance. I know I'm assuming the worst, and I don't mean to doubt the good intentions of HarmReduction, but from experience, the vast majority of the public (not to mention, govs) will never permit hallucinogens, opioids, dissociatives, or amphetamines to be sold openly and freely.
And even if these substances were to, by the grace of all things holy, become legalized and accepted for sale to responsible adults, all it takes is a few numbskulls to ruin it for the repsonsible users, even if they are in the minority.
Subjective? Yes. Biased? A bit, but I've learned to be skeptical the hard way --- through consequences.
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I'd like to read the previous study. Is there a download link?
Tim, can you mail it to me if it's not downloadable?
BG
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I'd like to read the previous study. Is there a download link?
Tim, can you mail it to me if it's not downloadable?
BG
l will email you the previous study
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@monicabaratt: I'd be interested to read it. Could you just "donate" it to the Imperial Library?
xfmro77i3lixucja.onion/
Because it's an article it might help if you included a note to the librarian (zenow@tormail.org) to explain the work and the requests you've received.
Or two other options here:
i7hknwg4up2jhdkx.onion/
3fnhfsfc2bpzdste.onion/
Note: I don't know much about the second two options so other opinions/ideas are welcome.
Sorry about the delayed reply. Thanks for listing these options - I will look into them for document hosting purposes. It would be useful to be able to Tor-link to pdfs as I know most people here prefer to keep their browsing on drug matters within the hidden web.
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Tim, can you give an overview of what responses you had kept stored in your tormail account? were they all encrypted or were some cleartext etc? Have you moved any details off tormail and how are you storing them?
Obviously any vendor who responded to those questions (particularly the first set) is at serious risk if/when your account is reviewed by the authorities.
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Tim, can you give an overview of what responses you had kept stored in your tormail account? were they all encrypted or were some cleartext etc? Have you moved any details off tormail and how are you storing them?
Obviously any vendor who responded to those questions (particularly the first set) is at serious risk if/when your account is reviewed by the authorities.
Hi Abbey
Thanks - I would rather DM you rather than leave a public message - However the study is now CLOSED