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Topic: Solving the Problem of Agent Provacateurs (Read 3085 times)

member
Activity: 62
Merit: 10
June 19, 2011, 03:36:43 PM
#25
I never would suggest tying a bitcoin users name to a bank account. I stated the idea to tie the bitcoin forum users name to an ID and bank account. That's completely different.
No, it's not.
full member
Activity: 138
Merit: 100
The alternative is to have any kind of person say anything wild about bitcoins, and immediately the whole world is going to pick it up as a news story, and nobody on the forum will ever have any control over what is being stated by anonymous people.

Oh god!  You mean people on the internet can say whatever they want, and we can't stop them!? And it's done anonymously so we can't track them down and kick their door in?!? The horror!  What is this world coming to?
sr. member
Activity: 364
Merit: 251
Can we introduce a verification system for the forum? Voluntary of course.
Even assuming for the sake of discussion that such a thing is desirable, I don't think there's any kind of verification system that would be convenient enough for the masses, yet robust enough that it can't be spoofed by an agent provocateur.

How about a e-mail verification to a bank account with your name on it, along with a credit card or driver's license?

At least, once it was verified, you could not really sign up again with another alias, right?
That would be very difficult I would assume, but if people were willing to do it voluntarily, we would at least know for sure who we could trust, right?

Or who we could at least have some more confidence in, initially, correct? or no?


Mr. bitrebel, your hyperactivity in this issue makes people think that you're yourself 'Agent Provacateur'. If you're going to tie bitcoin user's identities with bank accounts the net result would be exact opposite you are supposed to fight for. Bitcoin is mostly about anonymity, isn't it?

I never would suggest tying a bitcoin users name to a bank account. I stated the idea to tie the bitcoin forum users name to an id and bank account. That's completely different. Some sites online do this, for the forum members to have greater trust in each other. The forum owners and admin mods are the only ones who would the forum users identity.

They don't have to have access to the account, even, just drop a deposit in of a few cents to have the account verified. Then, the people would know and the person would know, that they cannot just post junk on here without any direct responsibility, should it be a false flag.

If you don't think it's a good idea, you can simply state that, and the reasons why. I don't understand why people love to attack others and be mean just because they can. Maybe some of you don;t want anyone to know who you are, but others here would appreciate knowing they could have just a little confidence and trust with their other forum members.

The only thing that would have to be avoided, is using the same wallet on here that you would in the internet jungle out there. That way people couldn't know who you really were, should they drop funds into your bitcoin wallet.

Is it that bad of an idea?

The alternative is to have any kind of person say anything wild about bitcoins, and immediately the whole world is going to pick it up as a news story, and nobody on the forum will ever have any control over what is being stated by anonymous people.

Rumors will persist of hack attacks, thefts, and unapproved transfers. Exchanges will be blamed, random users of hackers on the forums, misleading posts that are untrustworthy

We can have it either way, but I fear the rumors and hit pieces will only get worse and worse, until nobody trusts anything on the forum spoken by anyone else.

I may be slightly paranoid, but I'm just a microcosm of the consciousness on these boards. I'm not the only one who feels this way, i'm sure.

We may differ in the approach that we should all take to deal with this, but we can at least discuss it peacefully.
sr. member
Activity: 294
Merit: 250
There is only one solution that will work in any situation to solve the problem of infiltrants/provocateurs. It will work, regardless of the hierarchy of a forum, even regardless of the used communication medium. It will work regardless of whatever factor may influence the environment you are using to communicate. The best thing is it won't cause any technical issues or restrictions, and keeps everything accessible for everyone.

It's called individual common sense.
legendary
Activity: 980
Merit: 1004
Firstbits: Compromised. Thanks, Android!
Can we introduce a verification system for the forum? Voluntary of course.
Even assuming for the sake of discussion that such a thing is desirable, I don't think there's any kind of verification system that would be convenient enough for the masses, yet robust enough that it can't be spoofed by an agent provocateur.

How about a e-mail verification to a bank account with your name on it, along with a credit card or driver's license?

At least, once it was verified, you could not really sign up again with another alias, right?
That would be very difficult I would assume, but if people were willing to do it voluntarily, we would at least know for sure who we could trust, right?

Or who we could at least have some more confidence in, initially, correct? or no?


Looks like someone isn't ready to play with the big kids.  Go back to the sandbox until you can walk. 

The fact you'd suggest tying forum accounts to meatspace identities reveals you are either an agent or completely out of touch with bitcoin users.  Either way, I will not be trusting or even reading anything you say beyond this.

An "ignore" button would sometimes be nice.
member
Activity: 84
Merit: 10
@AllYourBase

I agree. Was this anonymous currency created to cry for DNA samples or direct personal identication? Than i can also use my credit card and forget about Bitcoin.

I think we have to life with "propaganda". I see not such big problems for the forum itself if everybody is using his brain and is aware of "social-engineering".

[EDIT:] OK, forget the DNA scan. I just read over the irony.
full member
Activity: 138
Merit: 100
Can we introduce a verification system for the forum? Voluntary of course.
Even assuming for the sake of discussion that such a thing is desirable, I don't think there's any kind of verification system that would be convenient enough for the masses, yet robust enough that it can't be spoofed by an agent provocateur.

How about a e-mail verification to a bank account with your name on it, along with a credit card or driver's license?

At least, once it was verified, you could not really sign up again with another alias, right?
That would be very difficult I would assume, but if people were willing to do it voluntarily, we would at least know for sure who we could trust, right?

Or who we could at least have some more confidence in, initially, correct? or no?


Looks like someone isn't ready to play with the big kids.  Go back to the sandbox until you can walk. 

The fact you'd suggest tying forum accounts to meatspace identities reveals you are either an agent or completely out of touch with bitcoin users.  Either way, I will not be trusting or even reading anything you say beyond this.
full member
Activity: 211
Merit: 101
Yes, but who will verify the verifiers?  The CIA? Kissinger and his secret Muntz Tribunal? Bono?

I suggest we move even further forward and demand that our hypothetical verifiers send us their power of attorney so we can get to the bottom of this blatant sabotage effort to destroy this forum.  If they're not really selling tricks for Nixon's reanimated corpse and the Goldman 6, they've got nothing to hide, right?  Q.E.D.
hero member
Activity: 770
Merit: 500
The problem of all types of propaganda (bullish, bearish, or provocative) is not as much the message it carries as the fact it is hammered over and over on people who didn't want it but can't help seeing it in the topics list (and therefore get influenced).
The effect won't be the same if such propaganda is restricted  to specific forums.

Imo, we should create the following forums and change the chart to indicate that  posts on such topics out of the forums will be moved by moderators:
- bulls (to advertise that one believes bitcoin price is going to go up)
- bears (to advertise that one believes bitcoin price is going to go down)
- mining enthousiasts (to advertise that one believes mining is profitable)
- mining pessimists (to advertise that one believes mining is over)
- thieve / scam / hack reports (to advertise that one believes he is victim of a crime)
sr. member
Activity: 294
Merit: 252
Firstbits: 1duzy
Instructions for using the Bitcoin forums:

1. Trust no one

2. Before you read something, read the title and answer the question: "What does it have to do with ME?"

3. DO NOT at any circumstance get emotional with anything.

4. After you have read a post or a thread, answer the question: "Can I think of something constructive that I can get out of this for MY situation?"

5. Before you post anything, answer the question: "Will I be adding anything of value to the discussion, or will I be wasting someone else's precious time?"

6. If you want to casually browse and read posts, make sure that you HAVE NOTHING BETTER to do at that time.

7. Ignore the above at your own risk.

Good list.
I need help with number 6 (and number 5 as well apparently. Assuming you're supposed to do something different when the answer is "No")
legendary
Activity: 1050
Merit: 1003
OPs BTC -> SR -> LSD
Thanks for contributing to the economy OP. Putting up with your ranting and raving is the least we can do to give back!
member
Activity: 62
Merit: 10
Can we introduce a verification system for the forum? Voluntary of course.
Even assuming for the sake of discussion that such a thing is desirable, I don't think there's any kind of verification system that would be convenient enough for the masses, yet robust enough that it can't be spoofed by an agent provocateur.

How about a e-mail verification to a bank account with your name on it, along with a credit card or driver's license?

At least, once it was verified, you could not really sign up again with another alias, right?
That would be very difficult I would assume, but if people were willing to do it voluntarily, we would at least know for sure who we could trust, right?

Or who we could at least have some more confidence in, initially, correct? or no?


Mr. bitrebel, your hyperactivity in this issue makes people think that you're yourself 'Agent Provacateur'. If you're going to tie bitcoin user's identities with bank accounts the net result would be exact opposite you are supposed to fight for. Bitcoin is mostly about anonymity, isn't it?
sr. member
Activity: 313
Merit: 251
Third score
Instead of talking about ways to control and regulate, how about:

Instructions for using the Bitcoin forums:

1. Trust no one

2. Before you read something, read the title and answer the question: "What does it have to do with ME?"

3. DO NOT at any circumstance get emotional with anything.

4. After you have read a post or a thread, answer the question: "Can I think of something constructive that I can get out of this for MY situation?"

5. Before you post anything, answer the question: "Will I be adding anything of value to the discussion, or will I be wasting someone else's precious time?"

6. If you want to casually browse and read posts, make sure that you HAVE NOTHING BETTER to do at that time.

7. Ignore the above at your own risk.

Number 4 is the key, as an example my take on all these "stolen bitcoins" stories is that I need to take conscious steps to protect myself and my wallet, NOW rather than later. This is constructive and progressive for ME, and it saves me from all the trouble of having to take sides in arguments, denouncing bitcoins, looking for conspiracies or any other option you can think of.

Bitcoin appeared as a self-regulated currency in the face of centrally controlled ones, and I think the forums should match that.

Get 20,000 self regulated users (on their own terms each) and you don't need any verification or other patronizing schemes.

Are those who propose control plans the exact ones that can least control themselves? Because if you can control yourself, why do you need some other authority to do so? And if you can, wouldn't it be better to try and share your way of doing it with your fellow humans, instead of asking for overlords?

And if the case was that people on the forums were actually responsible and conscious about their actions for themselves, what would be the harm that a provocateur could possibly do? A lot of it to themselves I would think.

QED.
member
Activity: 84
Merit: 10
Can we introduce a verification system for the forum? Voluntary of course.
Even assuming for the sake of discussion that such a thing is desirable, I don't think there's any kind of verification system that would be convenient enough for the masses, yet robust enough that it can't be spoofed by an agent provocateur.

How about a e-mail verification to a bank account with your name on it, along with a credit card or driver's license?

At least, once it was verified, you could not really sign up again with another alias, right?
That would be very difficult I would assume, but if people were willing to do it voluntarily, we would at least know for sure who we could trust, right?

Or who we could at least have some more confidence in, initially, correct? or no?


True but people can give fake information. Thats why I suggest requiring a blood sample verified by DNA analysis and matched up to your name in the FBI master database.
sr. member
Activity: 364
Merit: 251
Maybe some would agree, maybe some would argue with me, but I believe that this project needs a good degree of security, and trust, and those are both contradictory in many ways, so a balance must be struck.

This forum is very important and will be watched with scrutiny. If a story about a theft of $500,000, which was only worth $10,000 weeks or months earlier, makes headlines all over the news, because it was posted in this forum, then we need to be watching what is posted here, and by whom, for all of our protection and interests.
Since that cannot be controlled, it can at least be streamlined for trustworthiness among members.

I would sincerely ask the mods to consider it, for everyone's benefit, and the fact that it cannot hurt.


full member
Activity: 154
Merit: 100

How about a e-mail verification to a bank account with your name on it, along with a credit card or driver's license?


Great idea. No security concerns there. Sign me up.
sr. member
Activity: 364
Merit: 251
Can we introduce a verification system for the forum? Voluntary of course.
Even assuming for the sake of discussion that such a thing is desirable, I don't think there's any kind of verification system that would be convenient enough for the masses, yet robust enough that it can't be spoofed by an agent provocateur.

How about a e-mail verification to a bank account with your name on it, along with a credit card or driver's license?

At least, once it was verified, you could not really sign up again with another alias, right?
That would be very difficult I would assume, but if people were willing to do it voluntarily, we would at least know for sure who we could trust, right?

Or who we could at least have some more confidence in, initially, correct? or no?


We could also require users submit biometric data.

  That's not too funny, because we both know nobody would want or desire that, right? Although I can understand the attempt at humor, and I don't wince at it.
  Many sites currently use some kind of verification system for users to have "trust" in each other. That's not too much to ask, and to make voluntary.

Personally, I prefer a retinal optic scan, paired with biometric data and a DNA double check. Then I might have a little bit of trust.  Wink

full member
Activity: 280
Merit: 100
Can we introduce a verification system for the forum? Voluntary of course.
Even assuming for the sake of discussion that such a thing is desirable, I don't think there's any kind of verification system that would be convenient enough for the masses, yet robust enough that it can't be spoofed by an agent provocateur.

How about a e-mail verification to a bank account with your name on it, along with a credit card or driver's license?

At least, once it was verified, you could not really sign up again with another alias, right?
That would be very difficult I would assume, but if people were willing to do it voluntarily, we would at least know for sure who we could trust, right?

Or who we could at least have some more confidence in, initially, correct? or no?


We could also require users to submit biometric data.
legendary
Activity: 3080
Merit: 1080
Case in point, MeowMixer arrives and posts at 8:13:16 that they were hacked, and at 08:18:33 am, AllinVain is there to reply and offer support for them. Can I really believe this?

How do I know AllinVain and MeowMixer are not one and the same?

Are the Mods checking for this, somehow? Can this problem be fixed somehow?



You Sir have some serious issues. If you can't see one possible reason why I'd post and did not even bother to read and attempt to comprehent my post then it would be better if you did not make such wild and unfounded accusations. If the mods checked they'd see we have different IPs.

No you can't really believe "this' because you only believe what you want to. Facts and simple logical explanations elude you. Occam's razor is a foreign concept to you.

sr. member
Activity: 364
Merit: 251
I think a combination of not being overly paranoid and not being overly reactive will protect us from this oh so very ominous threat. Frankly it would still be easy for the all the "CIA agents" that are on here to become verified, and then whip out their diabolical plan of crying about how they lost their bitcoins. So you'd still be suspicious of verified posters. Also the "verified" would be a bit confusing to some, who might interpret it as some kind of endorsement or official authority.

But I do think it is a good idea to incorporate a reputation system, the kind that is pretty standard on vbulletin boards. Users can +rep or -rep posts, a lot of neg reps will mark someone as having a bad reputation. Though there are some drawbacks to the reputation system as well.

Sure, they could whine and cry all they want about their stolen bitcoins, but they could only do it once from each identity. That more what i'm getting at. Moving towards perfection, knowing absolute perfection is unobtainable.

As it stands now, one person could come on here as 50 different people and whine about 50 different thefts and heists. We have no way to stop or protect against it.

Please do not get me wrong either, I understand i'm being a little paranoid, but we have good reason to be cautious and defend ourselves before we all become victimized by propaganda. I am seeing a trend now, and I have to think, what can we do to limit the bullshit?
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