[TLS] TLS 1.3 process and consensus

[Watson Ladd <[e-mail]>]

Dear all,

I cannot count myself as among the supporters of the consensus calls
that the leadership has recently issued for a very simple reason: TLS
1.3 does not exist, and therefore to consider the consequences of
changes to it is impossible. As good as the ideas are, to judge
features in isolation is to end up with a Baroque monstrosity.

Behind such pedantry is a serious point: TLS 1.3 has quietly become
TLS 1.2 with some features removed, and maybe a few new flows. As
such, the final product will be heavily influenced by design decisions
inherent in the choice of direction the TLS WG leadership has made,
with very little discussion from the membership about these choices.
None of us has the knowledge of the TLS ecosystem to design an
acceptable solution individually.

I think we should try to understand the design space for TLS 1.3 in
greater detail by enlarging the number of proposals under
consideration before we commit to a process of local optimizations.
Even more clarity from the WG chairs on the process would be welcome.

SIncerely,
Watson Ladd