Just in the door from an SF speakeasy organized by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), the digital rights non-profit who helped the Students Against Surveillance campaign this semester. Props to Yan and Parker in particular, who spoke eloquently and compellingly on the encryption staff panel. It was also gratifying for me to see April's amazing work recognized -- she was my contact at the EFF, and her work with college activists is particularly praise-worthy. 

Speaking of the SAS campaign, given that Reset the Net's day of action is winding down here in PST, the letter campaign (which garnered over 15 university-specific letters and 450+ signatures) may go quiet for the rest of the summer. Maybe, maybe not. I'm new to politicking and trying to bring about change on college campuses, but it's my instinct that letters themselves don't bring about change -- they bring about a conversation which has the potential to be a catalyst for change, which is, I think, their inherent usefulness. I'll continue to update the HTML as more signatures come in, but I'd say we'll start back in earnest in September. For now, we think about what IT policies we want the NYU administration to implement, and start planning a crypto-party. (Or several.) I'm thinking of trying to set up NYU Students for Digital Rights or something on campus next semester, if only for the ability to book rooms. 

I'm turning 20 this month, and I totally expected to be more introspective. Maybe it's because 21 is the important age in the US, but I haven't found myself reflecting too much on my teenage years. The world only spins forward, I guess. 

Dolores Park, SF.

SF skyline

I spent a few days in NYC after the semester ended, catching up on projects and generally enjoying the city without having classes. I'd like to say that this involved more than sitting cross-legged on the floor on my laptop, but I'd be lying.