This week’s flip lecture on activist organisation Anonymous illustrates the power of the Internet in creating communities of similar interest, as well as inspiring participation in events through various social media. It is made clear in this documentary that a congregation of individuals with a similar purpose can conceive greater action than a single hacker. In this case, the hijacking of virtual reality world Habbo Hotel by userswith ‘black men in suits’ avatars, conveyed ultimate frustration and eventual deterioration of the particular phenomenon.
The Internet is a tool in providing people the opportunity for expressiveness through the promise of anonymity. Often, a common enemy or a common goal is conceived to attract people who take action, as seen in the conflict between Anonymous and Scientology. Though the fragility of privacy on the Internet undoubtedly dictates an invasion of identity. One’s ‘internet identity’ is easily tracked to their ‘real identity’ and can be used as a form of weapon against sects like Scientology. Besides ‘trolls’ who performs vulgar acts of annoyance for their personal entertainment, all hackers are considered political for their use of garnered information is based on opinion.
It is interesting to hear that in today’s modern world, taking down a site is considered a ‘legitimate form of protest’ in Germany.