The Christian Science Monitor recently released an article claiming there’s a divide between North American Anons, and those who reside outside of the states. This information seems to derive from a statement made by a self-proclaimed “Anonymous expert” whom few have heard of.
According to the article, the issue began after the Charlie Hebdo killings, and the North American Anon’s interpretation of the incident. Living in a nation known for its false flag attacks, the largest of which many believe happened on our own soil, there were, in fact, many who felt uncertain if this was not also a false flag scenario.
#OpCharlieHebdo ended up being a success, and those at the Christian Science Monitor are claiming it indicates that as the Anonymous movement grows around the world, North America’s cooperative is becoming increasingly detached:
“The North American contingent is increasingly isolated by the rest of the community as Anonymous gains more traction in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.”
It is said that this gap is due to North American Anonymous’ “lack of control over the movement”. Considering the fact that Anonymous is not an organization, and has no leaders, one might be curious as to whom was supposed to be controlling it in the first place. This assumption appears to come from a statement made by one Lorraine Murphy, a journalist who claims to have covered Anonymous for years:
“This type of success [in regards to #OpCharlieHebdo] is indicative of established North American mouthpieces, or ‘the old guard,’ losing their influence over the global collective,” said Lorraine Murphy.
The idea of Anonymous has been encouraged around the world for quite some time, and it’s probably safe to say that many associated with the North American movement look upon the achievements of those from other nations with a sense of pride. With that in mind, a statement such as Murphy’s can be confusing.
None at AnonHQ have heard of Lorraine Murphy, and upon further investigation it was found this person seems to have little credibility within the Anonymous movement. According to her Linkedin account, she’s currently a journalist at The Intercept, however after reviewing The Intercept’s staff list, she’s nowhere to be found, nor can any articles be found that were written by her—freelance or full-timer.
Her Linkedin account also lists The Cryptosphere as a place of employment, and this is true, but that’s because she’s the founding editor—it belongs to her. After perusing the articles at Cryptosphere—most, if not all of which appear to be written by Murphy herself under the name “Raincoaster”—it would seem that she does not have much of a following. You’ll rarely find a comment under an article, and most often the comments that you do find are made by the authors themselves—basically her.
In a self-written article by Murphy, she details an interview she had on the John, Paul and Mic Radio Show, and within the first paragraph of her report she was promoting the “Free Anons Store”:
“For the John, Paul and Mic show, however, I had to be somewhat presentable since it was recorded in Victoria’s tech park development and you know how the chinos-and-expensive-hoodie crowd can be. Consequently I wore my grey flannel pants and my black Anonymous Pirate hoodie from the Free Anons store (where you should just BUY ALL THE THINGS). I even combed my hair. Well, I tried.“
Those who associate themselves with the Anonymous movement stand for a number of beliefs, however consumerism is NOT on the list. After looking into the Free Anons Store, it was found that it has no association to the movement itself, nor do they claim that the proceeds go to charity or any other cause. The website describes the store as “a small Mom & Pop Business located in sunny Florida”, and the website is not SSL protected, so shop at your own risk.
She has associated herself with 2600: The Hacker Quarterly, but no connection was verified. She also has a google account with a small following where she shares her Cryptosphere articles.
There are a couple reports from other organizations that briefly quote her, and that’s including the article from The Christian Science Monitor, but otherwise, there isn’t much known about her with regards to her connections to the Anonymous movement—aside from reporting on twitter feeds at her website and being a “devoted fan” of the cause.
While all initiatives to help with the movement are encouraged, there is no way any one person can speak for Anonymous itself. Particularly in terms of nations, since there is no standard system of beliefs. There are millions of people in North America alone—of many ethnicities—who recognize themselves as Anonymous, not to mention the many other millions around the world. To speak for all of them is an impossibility.
According to the article, part of the blame for “America’s inability to control the Anonymous movement” is due to a “general lack of cultural and political knowledge as it pertains to causes that are not directly connected to US affairs,” says Raymond Johansen, a global privacy activist on the #FreeAnons “Advisory board” on Twitter.
Again, it should be noted that there is no organization to control.
Putting aside the fact that the U.S. government has had a hand in nearly every case of corruption around the world, as the Anonymous movement spreads to the various areas of the globe, it is hoped by many that the citizens of those nations will take a direct role in standing against the issues their countries face, as well as the global issues that affect all of us. At the same time, as the United States is dealing with in an increasingly harsh police state, it is to be expected that many Americans are going feel particularly passionate about those issues that directly pertain to them.
Yet another argument made by The Christian Science Monitor to support North America’s “loss of influence” over other Anon groups was Edward Snowden’s revelations about mass surveillance conducted by the NSA. According to the report, the NSA’s actions have had a negative effect on North American Anons’ reputations as most people see Americans in general as “snitches”. The article only states that this information comes from “an influential and longtime Anonymous source in Europe,” and no additional cited-sources were provided with the article.
In conclusion, those at The Christian Science Monitor state:
“The combination of NSA leaks and Sabu’s unmasking as an informant has sidelined the US among the global Anonymous network. If the US government’s intention was to discredit and impede American hackers and activist within Anonymous, it worked.”
With the lack of cited sources, as well as testimonies based off the assumptions of self-proclaimed “experts”, and references to unknown sources in which the reader is forced to trust that the author’s contact is reliable, it does seem there’s an intent to discredit the American Anonymous movement. However in this particular case, the US government isn’t to blame. Just a profiteering pundit.
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Sources:
Eördögh, Fruzsina. The Christian Science Monitor. Mar 30, 2015. (http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Passcode/2015/0330/The-great-Anonymous-divide)
Then what making a difference if one country has not changed for the better? and Why isn’t something about it being done ? I am sadden that the US still remains corrupted , make me think why has the world around become so dark now that I know the truth about what goes on in america.
Now I ask you Anonymous
Why?
Dear Christian Science Monitor: You will never understand anonymous. Main reason being is you lack the knowledge and wisdom on the subject of freedom to do so. You can not grasp the concept of working together in a unified goal without some sort of leader. Which is why Catholicism itself, has many sects. We are not much different. We have those that that rogue off as well and do their own thing. Your mindset however, is in an era long bereft. “Man has an idea, the idea attracts others, like minded”. Not too hard to figure out. There is no “great divide”, of US vs other anons. That’s fantasia fucking nonsense and said “reporter” (for lack of a more accurate word) should be, “reviewed” on their ability to “report” accurate news. Your way is to relinquish control of your own life to a, “higher entity” so you don’t have to accept responsibility over your own life or the life of others. So Anonymous must be rather confusing for you to wrap your head around because we’re all equals that share a unified idea of taking responsibility for not only ourselves but the rest of the world. We attempt to make the world better with action and the free will givin to us. To your credit, you attempt to do the same thing by sending people to various places around the world to help others in need. The primary difference between us is, we’re a collection of ideas and you’re an organization. Your organization has structure, a book it follows, and leaders. Hence it’s constrained, controlled and limited by it’s political figure heads. Not saying our way is superior, just saying it’s run by the people that were attracted to the idea to begin with … all of us.
I’m not completely sure this writer has done his due diligence prior to writing this article. Lorraine Murphy has been a great asset to all arrested anons and delivering real news regarding anonymous related activities for years. I’m sure her biography would have been a great place to start prior to writing this piece. With regards to the AnonStore, You seemed to have failed to note that this store, where Ms. Murphy claimed to have made a purchase, donates proceeds to assist jailed and arrested anons. It’s clearly documented as such on their website. I don’t think bashing hard working journalists who have held true to a cause is helping anyone.
She has never been an asset to anonymous and never did anything for arrested anons that other anons didnt do either. She slandered the names of many great activists and is close to pedophile Eckard Pfeifer. Lorraine Murphy was a writer for Starbucks from 1992 – 2000 where she helped to promote child abuse and child labour worldwide.
i’ll just leave this here
http://www.dailydot.com/news/op-safe-winter-anonymous/
Wow, this article, hahaha…no one’s ever heard of Raincoaster..hmmm, ok.
Raincoaster with thousands of twitter followers who has been reporting on Anon activity for years. Don’t you know Raincoaster?
No real anon follows that shit. Raincoaster is a blogger for Starbucks. Check her Linkedin. No activist can take that seriously.
Raincoaster is the biggest piece of shit on Twitter.
this is propaganda anons. there is no counter argument and no proof, its propaganda. the propaganda machine has a new target in its visor. dont fall for it
It is unfortunate when those who do not seem to have the time to research something do have the time to write up their opinions and publish them. It is important to educate yourself before attempting to educate others. Measure twice cut once folks.
1) In the CSM article in question, I write “This fissure, or lack of control over the movement, has been a few years in the making,”
2) How are you so delusional that you think non-US Anons don’t hesitate when US Anons say ANYTHING? Especially after Sabu & Snowden?
2) 3 “experts” are quoted in the article agreeing with the assessment (that American Anonymous has lost significant influence in the collective), and yet this article only attacks Lorraine Murphy. No attacks against Raymond, none against Gabriella Coleman. Just Lorraine Murphy, who has been covering Anonymous for years.
This article reads like you asked her out on a date and she turned you down. Get over it.
Whoever wrote this needs to learn how to research their shit before publishing it, I found many inaccuracies within the article. And to be honest, it sounds like the writer has their own personal agenda with Lorraine. My guess is that it’s someone who’s pissed off with her, but doesn’t have the guts to actually say so…
Many of us are wondering why her past employment with the Daily Dot has been left out of this article? It IS a well known fact that she worked for them. But then again, that would mean actually having to do a little research, or I don’t know… tell the truth..
To say that few within the Anonymous community has even heard of Lorraine, is laughable. She’s been a very strong supporter of my family for the past 3 years. 2.5 of those were while my husband was in prison, or going through the judicial system, for his hacks in the Anonymous #CabinCr3w operation – #OpPigRoast. My family isn’t the only family of an incarcerated Anon, that Lorraine has supported either. If it wasn’t for people like Lorraine, families like ours would not have the support they need while their loved ones are in prison – having given up THEIR freedom, to fight for the movement.
Here’s a great idea – rather than publish articles that sound like you are pissed off with a journalist who has supported the Anonymous movement for many years – why don’t you actually SUPPORT Anons who have given up their ACTUAL freedom, to fight for a better world. Like Lorraine DOES. Not just sit behind a computer, writing petty articles that clearly sound like your butt-hurt over something & are trying to get your revenge..
Hi Lorraine.
“The Christian Science Monitor recently released an article claiming there’s a divide between North American Anons, and those who reside outside of the states.”
That’s the first line of your article. Do you realize there are countries in North America outside of the USA? A good journalist has to ask you these things.
Another Lorraine sock.
We are Dark Shadow Sec and we live in the US and we take part in a lot of Ops.
Someone just reminded me about this article. I love that they refer to one of my pieces as “a self-written article” when most of the contents of this site are stolen from other sites. I’d get a lawyer after you but hell, I’m lazy.
I’d get a lawyer after you….
Funny Lorraine “can get a lawyer after you” but needs fundraisers when she has an accident:
https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/61Bgs9
She is so full of shit. Anonymous hates her. She also works with the pedophile club from Eckard Pfeifer and is a former writer for Starbucks promoting child labour worldwide.
Lorraine Murphy sold out alot of her former anonymous friends. There is a shitload of dirt about this “lady”. Except for the com666 pedophiles she’s got no friends left in the collective.