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Mainstream Media Looks At Anonymous

Posted by samzenpus on from the pay-no-attention-the-nerds-behind-the-curtain dept.

ScuttleMonkey writes "In an uncharacteristically accurate writeup of Anonymous, the Guardian has published a look at the assembled mob behind the mask. A great place to send those unfamiliar with who or what Anonymous really is. From the article: 'This collective identity belongs to no one in particular, but is at the disposal of anyone who knows its rules and knows how to apply them. Anonymous, the collective identity, is older than Anonymous, the hacktivist group – more to the point, I propose that the hacktivist group can be understood as an application of Anonymous, the collective identity.'"

6 of 118 comments (clear)

  1. Re:First post by TWX · · Score: 5, Funny

    Expect it.

    Somehow I expected it to be posted Anonymously...

    --
    Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
  2. If it were possible to really identify Anon... by elrous0 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The Scientologists would have already sued them into oblivion. Their disorganization is their strength.

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    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  3. Sony Hack by wjousts · · Score: 4, Insightful

    In regards to the Sony hack which Anonymous supposedly denies, if Anonymous is leaderless, isn't it pretty much impossible to say whether or not they did something? Can't anybody claim to be Anonymous and do what ever they want? I assume for anything Anonymous does there are some people who consider themselves members who disagree, so does that mean Anonymous didn't do it?

    This isn't meant as a critique of Anonymous, but without leaders or hierarchy it's pretty much impossible to define what it is or what it does.

    1. Re:Sony Hack by Local+ID10T · · Score: 5, Interesting

      You are over-thinking it. It is simple.

      Anyone can be anonymous, but not everyone is Anonymous. An action performed by a member of Anonymous, is not the same as an action by Anonymous. Think of it as a gestalt -it is not, until at some undefined point, it is.

      There are leaders within Anonymous. Just because they are not part of a hierarchy does not mean they do not exist. No one appointed them, no one elected them, but others followed them. Leading is not the same as ruling.

      --
      "You want to know how to help your kids? Leave them the fuck alone." -George Carlin
  4. Re:The collective? by Swampwulf · · Score: 5, Funny

    We are the Canadian Borg. Resistance would be impolite. Please wait to be assimilated. Pour l'assimilation en francais, veuillez appuyer le "2".

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    -On the internet, no one cares if you're a dog.-
  5. Re:"Theater, Film, and Media Studies" by History's+Coming+To · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm Synonymous. Exactly the same as Anonymous, just a different name.

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    Please consider this account deleted, I just can't be bothered with the spam anymore.