TheRPGSite

This is some crazy stuff.

wired.com article (http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/01/anonymous-attac.html)

video statement from "anonymous" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCbKv9yiLiQ)

It's starting to show up on TV news too.  Apparently they've got something planned for 6pm EST today.

cool!  now if they can go after the westboro baptist church. . . .:deviousgrin:

That is awesome.  Go hackers!

Whoa.  It's all over digg.com (http://digg.com/) -- videos, intervies, "secret docs"...

Yeah, the shield of threatened litigation surrounding the Church of Scientology has been effectively collapsing in the last couple of weeks.  This has been largely thanks to the diffused nature of the Internet, and also, in great part, the CoS's eagerness to pump up a questionably-balanced, high-profile celebrity like Tom Cruise as their spokesmodel.  There's scuttle out there that Cruise is not only their spokesmodel, but has risen to a position of considerable authority within the organisation, which might help account for their apparent ineffectiveness in dealing with the moutnign assault on their cherished secrecy.

I'd be lying if I said I haven't been waiting for this for a long time. :D

!i!

"SPs at the gates!  SPs at the gates!"

Bwahahahahahaha!

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaI'd be lying if I said I haven't been waiting for this for a long time.

Indeed. Die, motherfuckers, die!

Seanchai

May the fires of truth bake the Clams until the end of time.

Quote from: Bradford C. WalkerMay the fires of truth bake the Clams until the end of time.

mmm. . . clambake

/homer

Quote from: Bradford C. WalkerMay the fires of truth bake the Clams until the end of time.

No good. That'll just be another Incident to be Audited in their next life purging of Body Thetans....

Besides, Hubbard ain't dead, he's a disembodied Thetan flying around mars fighting against the ghost of Xenu or some shit. If the clams go down, he'll just come back and issue more bad movies to his loyal followers...

I'm both delighted and amused. Since it's news that comes at the brink of nasty food poisoning and/or stomach flu, it's very welcome to mine eyes and ears.

4chan vs. the Church of Scientology is like the reverse of Alien vs. Predator: whoever loses, we win...

I want nothing but to see Anonymous succeed. Go Hackers!

Get well soon Thanatos02.

and, Go Hackers!  :)

Quote from: jeff37923I want nothing but to see Anonymous succeed. Go Hackers!

You are only saying that because your Thetans haven't been freed. ;)

Quote from: John MorrowYou are only saying that because your Thetans haven't been freed. ;)

I get the joke and you're correct, but I used to live in Seattle on the corner of 3rd & Bell and the Scientology Center was located right across the intersection - those cultists just plain scare me.

Being the sort who likes to poke at scary things with a stick, I went in there once to check it out. They gave me a psychological profile test which they then reduced to a bar graph to show where in my life I wanted improvement (and let's face it, only one with an unexamined life doesn't think that some area needs improvement). The Scientology handler then told me how the lowest part of the bar graph indicated that I was doomed to a life of emotional turmoil and my ownly hope was to get some help through Scientology, at $100 per visit.

Then followed a long series of haggling because I let them know that I had no money and the price for the "help" kept dropping to become more affordable. Finally, just to get out of the creepy interview, I agreed to buy a copy of Dianetics and was able to leave.

The book went directly into the trash.

I truly loathe con artists who use religion or psychology to seperate people from their money.

I have a funny story about a Spanish-language tour of the L. Ron Hu-- I'm sorry, the El-lay Rrrrronn HHHO-bar' museum on Hollywood Boulevard, but, uh...it's funnier if I tell it than type it.

Yeah, I've been hearing all about this.  I never thought I'd cheer on anything by 4channers, but Scientology is fucking scary shit (http://youtube.com/watch?v=rCGP-0545EU), and anybody making a serious effort at hindering or even destroying these evil fucks deserves at least a good cheer from the sidelines.

A friend of mine went in for his "free evaluation" at the Church in Toronto, and used the classic "can I use your bathroom" line.  Of course that meant "can I sneak around upstairs and look at your sci-fi gadget/toys?

:)

Quote from: StuartA friend of mine went in for his "free evaluation" at the Church in Toronto, and used the classic "can I use your bathroom" line.  Of course that meant "can I sneak around upstairs and look at your sci-fi gadget/toys?

Of course you realize that there are some great adventure seeds for a modern game in a set-up like that. ;)

Oh, wait.  This is the Off Topic forum...

Quote from: CallousGet well soon Thanatos02.

and, Go Hackers!  :)

It's 'cause of the Thetans.

Quote from: Warthur4chan vs. the Church of Scientology is like the reverse of Alien vs. Predator: whoever loses, we win...

It isn't just 4chan anymore.  It's bigger.

Quote from: Levi KornelsenIt isn't just 4chan anymore.  It's bigger.

Internet Wakes Up
By Anonymous Press
By Anonymous

Jan. 24th, 2008| When Chanology was started, a conglomerated and willful attempt to unite various internet faction in a bid of digital warfare against the Scientology Church, the internet was reputed to wake up.

Long-thought to be a semi-sentient ur-thing, the internet trembled and shambled to full blown sentience reputedly craving Moar and something called a "desu". It also made several half-formed attempts to warn of sexually transmitted diseases in swimming locations world-wide.

On the SotC inspirational art thread on TBP, I noticed this image, appropriate to this thread:

(http://www.daisy.freeserve.co.uk/astound.jpg)

(^ note what it says is inside ^)

Quote from: John MorrowOn the SotC inspirational art thread on TBP, I noticed this image, appropriate to this thread:

(http://www.daisy.freeserve.co.uk/astound.jpg)

(^ note what it says is inside ^)

Thats not a surprise.

 Hubbard and ASTOUNDING's then-editor John W. Campbell were friends for years. Campbell was one of the first to read the original Dianetics book. He and L. Ron later had a falling out and stopped talking.


- Ed C.

Great find, John Morrow.  That image is appropriately threatening.

So...what news from the front?

Seanchai

I've bought some black paper and tape.

My fax attack begins tonight as the moon rises.

Quote from: SeanchaiSo...what news from the front?

Seanchai

I keep getting Encyclopedia Dramatica redirecting to Zwinky.  Methinks a counter-hack is in the offing, and some group called "The Directive" who may or may not be pawns of Scientology are counterattacking *chan sites and those linked to *chan.

As a loyal follower of Lord Xenu*, I wholeheartedly support this war.







* For only $50, you too can own my amazing pamphlet, "Body Thetans Are Good For You".  Act now, supplies are limited.

This whole story sounds like a campaign plotline for a GURPS : ILLUMINATI game.

Never liked Tom Cruise much.
 Mostly found him laughable in most of his movies.

DO like Nicole Kidman - glad she divorced him. (So is she, gets nominated for Oscars and all that stufff....)


- Ed C.

I'm keeping an eye on this one.  I really hope it goes somewhere.

People keep posting "whoever loses we win", and I was on board for a while.

While doing dishes and rocking out to "Take On Me" and "Hungry Like The Wolf" it hit me - do we REALLY want Anonymous to win this?  

Not win over Scientology - I can't imagine anyone isn't hoping CoS gets major egg on their face, and gets smacked around.

But Scientology is the biggest thing Anonymous have taken on.  They couldn't have chosen a bigger target short of governments and multinational corporations.

If Anonymous wins, and wins big, do we really want to see what Anonymous takes on next?  Or have these guys thinking they really have an impact on the world?  That they can change the planet?  

Cause part of me shudders to think of the shit they could pull, the following they could get, if they strike a major blow at Scientology.  I doubt they can really dismantle Scientology - but they can do some pretty heavy damage if they get their act together and really make this a major mission.

While I watch the battle with interest, I am hesitant about what the end result may bring - a stronger more invigorated Scientology, or a bolder, brasher and more arrogant Anonymous.

I'm not supportive of their DoS attacks on the Church of Scientology websites.  If you believe in freedom of speech, which is one of their issues with the scientologists having the Cruise video removed from YouTube, then even the CoS deserves that same freedom of speech.

Now, making information videos about the CoS is something else.  Considering the media either won't, or more likely can't* do their job -- it's good to see the message of why the CoS is [potentially] a dangerous organization getting to a wider audience.

* Due to legal threats

Quote from: HackmastergeneralPeople keep posting "whoever loses we win", and I was on board for a while.

While doing dishes and rocking out to "Take On Me" and "Hungry Like The Wolf" it hit me - do we REALLY want Anonymous to win this?  

Not win over Scientology - I can't imagine anyone isn't hoping CoS gets major egg on their face, and gets smacked around.

But Scientology is the biggest thing Anonymous have taken on.  They couldn't have chosen a bigger target short of governments and multinational corporations.

If Anonymous wins, and wins big, do we really want to see what Anonymous takes on next?  Or have these guys thinking they really have an impact on the world?  That they can change the planet?  

Cause part of me shudders to think of the shit they could pull, the following they could get, if they strike a major blow at Scientology.  I doubt they can really dismantle Scientology - but they can do some pretty heavy damage if they get their act together and really make this a major mission.

While I watch the battle with interest, I am hesitant about what the end result may bring - a stronger more invigorated Scientology, or a bolder, brasher and more arrogant Anonymous.

I think the thing you're not realizing is that "anonymous" is not really an organized group.

It's a blanket term that basically refers to anyone taking part in the same goal at this point.

The CoS thing has exploded the way no previous efforts have however, because the target is one a lot more people can get behind, and thus, more people joining the faceless crowd in the square.

It's been deliberately used as imagery by supporters, but the masked march scene at the end of V for Vendetta is really apt to describe the way this thing is playing out.

Also, it's somewhat dependent as well on the internet going public's attention span.  If the collected mass of Digg and 4channers and Youtube addicts and SA Goons and all the other assorted rabble decide tomorrow that it is no longer entertaining, it'll fade off in no time.  This is the Internet after all, where something from last month is already ancient history.

And Stuart, freedom of speech and religion have limits in almost any society where implemented, and those who abuse those freedoms to harm others can be censured or punished for their recklessness.  The coS has abused the government, the legal system, and the freedoms of afforded them to engage in some truly evil acts around the world, and as such, they have chosen to forfiet those rights by way of irresponsible action.

I'm certainly not defending the CoS. :)

I just think there's little benefit from the DoS attacks (will it stop people form joining, or make people wake up and leave?), and it lets the media turn it into a handy sound bite:  Hackers attack Church of Scientology website.  The uninformed public think "Those bad hackers".  Where a better sound bite is:  Hackers reveal secret Church of Scientology documents about Jesus.  People think "I wonder what they think about Jesus".

Oh, if you're curious... this source (http://www.xs4all.nl/~kspaink/fishman/index2.html)  with 4739 Diggs (http://digg.com/world_news/Scientology_teachings_claim_Jesus_Christ_was_a_pedophile) let's you know the secret you normally have to spend a quarter million dollars on and reach Tom Cruise level within the Church.

I'm not going to repost it here, because quite frankly it's pretty offensive. :(

Yeah... maybe those DoS attacks are a good thing.  :mad:

OMG the CoS is right!

(http://poetry.rotten.com/jesus-with-boy/jesus-with-boy.jpg)

I knew you were a Scientologist!  :)

The entire part of the OT VIII briefing document (http://www.xs4all.nl/~kspaink/fishman/ot8b.html) is worth a read, actually, because it's hilariously crazy myth - and as the page Stuart linked to points out, it's either a) official Scientology doctrine or b) sufficiently like official Scientology doctrine that Scientology's lawyers can't tell the difference.

Quote from: J ArcaneI think the thing you're not realizing is that "anonymous" is not really an organized group.

It's a blanket term that basically refers to anyone taking part in the same goal at this point.

The CoS thing has exploded the way no previous efforts have however, because the target is one a lot more people can get behind, and thus, more people joining the faceless crowd in the square.

It's been deliberately used as imagery by supporters, but the masked march scene at the end of V for Vendetta is really apt to describe the way this thing is playing out.

Also, it's somewhat dependent as well on the internet going public's attention span.  If the collected mass of Digg and 4channers and Youtube addicts and SA Goons and all the other assorted rabble decide tomorrow that it is no longer entertaining, it'll fade off in no time.  This is the Internet after all, where something from last month is already ancient history.

Oh, I'm well aware that there is no real "anonymous" beyond an loose assortment of internet trolls and legit hackers with a penchant for anarchy and/or fucking with people for their own amusement.  I mean, I have no doubt there are some guys who operate under the "anonymous" moniker who are, indeed, very serious and a probably core group of them who are at the core of most of the more serious Anonymous incidents, but the vast vast majority are just nerds and goons and trolls with free time, computer knowledge and a willingness to skirt the vast majority of societies rules and norms in pursuit of "epic lulz".

But, the thing I think of is, if they really do "win" to some degree, what then?  It HAS been a random assortment of odd actions against legit targets, random people who pissed them off to varying degrees, and truely horrendous harrassment and bad bad shit.  This thing is taking off like nothing thats been attempted before, and is drawing in a vast group that hasn't even lookied that way before.  And it IS somewhat being organized - there are a few sites that are operating as dissemination grounds and news centers/action rallying points.  Its not organized the way Greenpeace is, but there is SOME organization.  They've even got a "guest speaker" coming in to give them tips on fighting Scientology (dude from xenu.tv).
If they manage to accomplish something (again, I doubt the total dismantling of the CoS, but score some amjor victories beyond a few DDOS attacks that have been of varying success so far (I've never had a problem getting to the main Scientology website, and I've been checking at random intervals, in fact...no, still no problem , though Encyclopedia Dramatica seems to be down), but what happens if this thing actually does succeed?

Thats got part of me a wee bit scared - either from the negative backlash, and the resultant shitstorm of government interferance, or in the further empowering of Anonymous as a cognizant and cogent group in a way they've never been before.  It potentially like Frankenstein waking up and starting to move his fingers, and real;izing he is, indeed, powerful.

Put differently, a movement like this can only galvanize in such a way if enough people care and are fed up.  Hence the V comparisons.  

As you note, there's a huge difference between this, and previous Anonymous-labeled efforts, and you need only look at the target to see why.

Any clout they have now is temporary, and liable to disintegrate once the interest level dies off or the next target proves less unifying.

This is hardly the first large scale hacker war in computer history, and all of those have similarly petered off into obscurity after their 15 minutes were up.

Quote from: J ArcaneAlso, it's somewhat dependent as well on the internet going public's attention span.  If the collected mass of Digg and 4channers and Youtube addicts and SA Goons and all the other assorted rabble decide tomorrow that it is no longer entertaining, it'll fade off in no time.  This is the Internet after all, where something from last month is already ancient history.

How offensive can you get J? When someone feels this strongly about something they don't just wander off.  Just because you have no determination doesn't mean others with honor and the fortitude of the righteous will get distracted by any little...hey...is that a crow taking care of a kitten (http://www.slide.com/r/hD6DvyAOxD9ClUhvUpVcUMABW9QzpGnQ)?

Quote from: James J SkachHow offensive can you get J? When someone feels this strongly about something they don't just wander off.  Just because you have no determination doesn't mean others with honor and the fortitude of the righteous will get distracted by any little...hey...is that a crow taking care of a kitten (http://www.slide.com/r/hD6DvyAOxD9ClUhvUpVcUMABW9QzpGnQ)?

:D

I personalyl would very much like to see them succeed, but I am ever the pragmatist, and know all too well how things go with some of the types involved in this particular little war.

Quote from: HackmastergeneralIt potentially like Frankenstein waking up and starting to move his fingers, and real;izing he is, indeed, powerful.

Cue The Pixies (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlHrP4xlbzU):

"With your feet in the air and your head on the ground
Try this trick and spin it, yeah
Your head will collapse
But there's nothing in it
And you'll ask yourself

Where is my mind
Where is my mind
Where is my mind..."

Quote from: Dirk RemmeckeCue The Pixies (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlHrP4xlbzU):

"With your feet in the air and your head on the ground
Try this trick and spin it, yeah
Your head will collapse
But there's nothing in it
And you'll ask yourself

Where is my mind
Where is my mind
Where is my mind..."

I love that song.  Neat, creepy and a little crazy.

J, when you mention folks losing interest and this thing petering out, all i can think of is some big orky WAAAGH type of thing :keke:

DoS is one thing, but the faxing-black-paper is fucking priceless!

Quote from: OT VIII briefing documentCAUTION:  DO NOT BE PTS WHILE TRAVERSING THIS THIRD AND FINAL WALL OF FIRE

I CAN HAZ BIRDGE TO CLARITTY?!

Quote from: Dr Rotwang!I CAN HAZ BIRDGE TO CLARITTY?!

ha, lolrotwang!s ! :haw:

Some people would say the only difference between a cult and religion is time and surviving the death of their founder.  L. Ron Hubbard is dead...now the debate is over long they have to be around.  Others point to their particular activities (their beliefs with "fantastic" elements, charging money and selling salvation, etc.) but I see the joke has being that this guy has tried to create something he hated.  Could there have been so much contempt for religion that he made an organization just to mock it?  (Of course, I might be misinformed on that part of it).

As far as the hackers, the intensity of the attacks suggests either a "flash in the pan" effect or a branching into physical means of protest.  After so, can temporary electronic inconviences be enough to permenently cripple them since the scientogists started before the internet revolution?

Just my two cents here...

Quote from: ancientgameror a branching into physical means of protest.

On February 10th.

Quote from: Levi KornelsenOn February 10th.

linky?  moreinfoplzthx

Quote from: beeberlinky?  moreinfoplzthx

Most of it is on partyvan (do a google search for "chanology"; it's the first hit).

Also:

http://www.freechan.org/i/

Very confusing sub-culture there.  There seems to be several "wars" going on. And why all the homophobia?

Quote from: walkerpAnd why all the homophobia?

Some of it is real.  Some is "everyone else does it".

...And some is "gore" - a common defense for /i/nsurgents (most boards relating to harassment, protest, and general shenanigans on *chan sites are labelled /i/) being to make their boards as inhospitable as possible, using dead baby pictures, slurs of every available type, and so on, so that the not-serious will fuck off.

Ah, thanks for the explanation.  The 'gore' worked in my case!

Maybe we should start a pool to see how long it takes Anon to lose interest and go back to their porn :D

There are speculations that it's already begun.

See: 711chan

Makes sense (levi pointing out 2/10/08) although I am seeing different hacker groups starting to show their differences.  I am just wanting for a splinter to come up with another theory and charge half-price compared to CoS.

Quote from: ancientgamerMakes sense (levi pointing out 2/10/08) although I am seeing different hacker groups starting to show their differences.  I am just wanting for a splinter to come up with another theory and charge half-price compared to CoS.

They're called Freezone.  Their PR blows.

Quote from: RockViperMaybe we should start a pool to see how long it takes Anon to lose interest and go back to their porn :D

My money says it'll last at least through February.

Part because of the vast support from the goons on the SomethingAwful (http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=2751120&userid=0&perpage=40&pagenumber=1) forums.

(Link goes to the 155+ page thread there)

I like Anonymous's propaganda, at least - this image is nice and effective:

(http://s5.largeimagehost.com/displayimage.php?img=scientology.jpg&loc=UcQQrXX&skey=june29)