Transmediale 2012: The powerful voice of Anonymous

A notable example for the 2012 motto of Transmediale "in/compatible" is the movement Anonymous. Well-known expert for digital anthropology Gabriella Coleman gives insight into the network culture of Anonymous. She explains strategies and tactics, self-understanding and disposition of the global protest network.

Since the OCCUPY movement of last September at the latest, every child knows it: the Guy Fawkes mask. It is the hallmark of the Anonymous movement. The symbol of an organisation that doesn't want to be one . This digital social network has existed long before web 2.0. Imageboard 4chan is still around to the day. Since 2008, Anonymous has interfered politically time and again. In doing so, it didn't shy away from anyone nor anything.

 

Anonymous doesn't serve for any state and it's not sponsored by the public or any company.  The organisations and companies that Anonymous puts the focus on for their undemocratic and censoring behaviour are large and and powerful and operate on a global level. The Church of Scientology Church, Sony, Visa, Mastercard are part of Anonymous' target group - much like countries such as Zimbabwe and Tunesia and the mexican drug cartel Los Zetas. Why is Anonymous not scared and how powerful are its weapons?

 

In contrary to the statement that Anonymous were all crazy hackers, you could also claim that Anonymous are a bunch of highly motivated actors who use the opportunities of digital speech and the internet wisely to exert influence where the state fails.

 

Text: Boris Alexander Knop