Why I Don't Support "Anonymous"

[quasigeostrophy]

(Disclaimer: These opinions were formed upon my initial encounter with the viral "Anonymous" videos yesterday morning, before personal issues struck very close to home as a result of differences of opinion elsewhere.)

1. Behaving in the same manner as one's intended target doesn't differentiate one from that target. Group A hates group B for doing X. So, in order to stop B, A does X to B. Who is the more "evil"?

2. Who gets to define "evil"? No one in history we define today as such ever thought of themselves as such. Hitler believed he was right. So did thousands of others who supported him. Same for the Borgias. Or Genghis Khan. The list goes on. And the definition constantly evolves.

3. Lack of responsibility is already rampant today. Anyone could go join some group similar to "Anonymous" and institute a DDoS against whomever the Target du Jour is and never be held accountable. It's like playing Illuminati with all the cards face down.

4. Freedom of speech is not a matter of convenience. This probably should tie in with #2, but just because group A spouts some theocratic or other message group B doesn't like, group B should just try to get their message out as well or better. The right to free speech doesn't equate to the right to be heard, either, but that doesn't mean group B has the right to prevent group A's message from being delivered.

ETA: 5. Life is not a science fiction story.

Comments

[elmegil.livejournal.com]

while the CoS doesn't force you to seek them out, once you step up, it can be damn near impossible to get them to let you go. Still very much cultic behavior.

Essentially I agree in broad terms, but I have less focus on the "rights" of the CoS to behave the way they do. :)

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

I see your point, but I still don't believe that gives "Anonymous" the right to act similarly. Statements I've seen attributed to "Anonymous" such as Anonymous is an enemy of those who are not Anonymous. Anonymous is not subject to law. etc. scare me as much as an annoying and even dangerous so-called church, if not more so.

[elmegil.livejournal.com]

"Essentially I agree in broad terms" was meant to definitely encompass agreement that Anonymous should NOT be behaving this way.

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Clarification is always good. :-)