John Kozubik - john@kozubik.com - http://www.kozubik.com

In the very recent past, the world has crossed a threshold, beyond which anonymous free speech can only be limited by completely removing the basic infrastructure of commerce.

The union of cryptography, ubiquitous portable computers and low-cost-standards-based wireless networking does not guarantee free speech, but it does guarantee that such restrictions imply an inability to conduct modern business and a dramatically lowered standard of living.

In this environment freedom of speech is atomic - it cannot be partially limited. It can be both global and instantaneous. Most importantly, it is not dependent on centralized public networks like the Internet.

It will be shown that tools available to anyone in a society that takes part in modern commerce are all that is required for anonymous free speech. It will further be shown that such tools must be available for such a society to continue participating in modern commerce, and that their availability is an all or nothing proposition. Finally, it will be shown that a high value should be placed on open standards and interoperability as well as peer-centric attitudes towards communication and networks.

Taken as a whole, the FSOSA concept should be used to encourage free speech and to discourage policymakers from pursuing policies that are destined either to fail, or to relegate them to the "stone age".