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by Tomte·12y ago·view on hn ↗
Right, this simple model is vulnerable. They are actually having a conversation in the comments about this.

I just liked the way of explaining it to laypeople. Leaving all mathematics behind, taking a model that everyone understands (and yes, some commentators are missing the point, discussing how it is possible to un-mix colors).

2 comments
Eh, I feel like if you can concisely highlight a metaphor's shortcomings it only makes for a stronger, less ambiguous, metaphor.

For example, it hadn't explicitly occurred to me that it would be easier to separate the colors than it would the numbers. Before reading these comments I was assuming that the factor I was missing had to do with separating the numbers becoming exponentially harder of a problem as the numbers grew larger. Reading about the discussion of this metaphor in the comments helped me realize that I was missing a deeper and essential part of this puzzle that I've been yearning to understand concretely for years.

Totally agree that the metaphor is an excellent start for the layperson.

can't you sign a public key ?