Post by @soatok@furry.engineer

2026-07-29 07:01 UTC

But let's be real: At least 10% of my reason for doing any of this is because I'm a shitlord at heart. Do you know how funny it is for folks at cryptography conferences to be like, "Oh I helped design the Keccak permutation that became SHA-3 and later went on to work on sponge-based authenticated ciphers?" And to want in that moment to be like, "I have a blog. It has stickers!" You have to be willing to make a total fool of yourself for your own amusement to understand me at all.

Replies (4)

@david_chisnall@infosec.exchange 2026-07-29 09:38

@soatok@furry.engineer One of the first bits of paid work I did was (according to the marketing): Russel Grant’s team of experts in the field of numerology. I like to periodically mention this in discussions of relevant experience.

Open ##4191786
@soatok@furry.engineer 2026-07-29 07:09

When I went to the LGBTQ+ lunch at Real World Cryptography in my fursuit a couple years ago, and then decided to take a stroll around the conference space in suit before the next session began, several highly esteemed cryptographers greeted me and were unashamedly friendly. I'm sure I got a few scowls or puzzled glances too. I don't remember. I did take a selfie with @filippo@abyssdomain.expert though! https://soatok.blog/2025/04/17/retrospective-five-years-blogging-about-cryptography-as-a-gay-furry-online/

Open ##5168728
@RueNahcMohr@infosec.exchange 2026-07-29 07:16

@soatok@furry.engineer backup. stickers? Like with patterns and colour and stickyness ?

Open ##5168729
@loddite@floofy.tech 2026-07-31 23:10

@soatok@furry.engineer how do u make a cipher from a sponge theyre for cleaning dishes

Open ##5168731