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The point about archeologists is a good one because it speaks to motive. In general, we should be very supportive of the efforts of distant historians who want

The point about archeologists is a good one because it speaks to motive. In general, we should be very supportive of the efforts of distant historians who want to understand what humanity used to be like. We should not WANT to hide secrets from a sufficiently far future. I can't think of any secret that deserves to be hidden from them for any reason besides perhaps modesty.

jessant 7y ago
What is considered sufficiently far future may change with life extension technology.
- thekyle 7y ago
  Well I would assume that as long as you live you'll keep updating your crypto as new tech comes out. That way the clock only starts ticking when you die.
  - klyrs 7y ago
    Your encrypted communications, intercepted today, will be encrypted with today's standards. The clock is ticking now.
WorldMaker 7y ago
Relatedly, that is a part of why I love the term "cryptoarcheology" in general, as a reminder that digital spaces will need archeologists too. There's it's somewhat shortened form "cryptarch", generally more used as a title ("cryptoarcheologist"), which was used in places in the Quantum Thief trilogy of books and is most probably already burned into your brain if you have played any of the Destiny series of videogames (and I presume was heavily influenced by Quantum Thief).
- moyix 7y ago
  Hmm, I thought cryptarch was just crypt + arch with the arch part meaning “leader” (i.e. this sense https://www.etymonline.com/word/arch- https://www.etymonline.com/word/arch-), not archaeologist. Is there something about this in the Quantum Thief trilogy I’ve forgotten?
  - WorldMaker 7y ago
    It's been a bit since I read it, but I recall the meaning overlap/double meaning between leader -arch (such as plutarch) and arch- from archaeo- was directly intentional word play in the book trilogy, and yes that leader -arch meaning does add spice to the neologism. (I don't think Destiny does much with the playful dual meaning, though. Certainly the cryptarchs in Destiny have never yet been meaningful leaders.)

jessant 7y ago

What is considered sufficiently far future may change with life extension technology.

thekyle 7y ago
Well I would assume that as long as you live you'll keep updating your crypto as new tech comes out. That way the clock only starts ticking when you die.
- klyrs 7y ago
  Your encrypted communications, intercepted today, will be encrypted with today's standards. The clock is ticking now.

WorldMaker 7y ago

Relatedly, that is a part of why I love the term "cryptoarcheology" in general, as a reminder that digital spaces will need archeologists too. There's it's somewhat shortened form "cryptarch", generally more used as a title ("cryptoarcheologist"), which was used in places in the Quantum Thief trilogy of books and is most probably already burned into your brain if you have played any of the Destiny series of videogames (and I presume was heavily influenced by Quantum Thief).

moyix 7y ago
Hmm, I thought cryptarch was just crypt + arch with the arch part meaning “leader” (i.e. this sense https://www.etymonline.com/word/arch- https://www.etymonline.com/word/arch-), not archaeologist. Is there something about this in the Quantum Thief trilogy I’ve forgotten?
- WorldMaker 7y ago
  It's been a bit since I read it, but I recall the meaning overlap/double meaning between leader -arch (such as plutarch) and arch- from archaeo- was directly intentional word play in the book trilogy, and yes that leader -arch meaning does add spice to the neologism. (I don't think Destiny does much with the playful dual meaning, though. Certainly the cryptarchs in Destiny have never yet been meaningful leaders.)