The internet is a great place to exchange ideas and learn. I learn a lot arguing with people. But here's something to consider. If you are involved in a debate about a political issue, what if the person you are interacting with is nothing but a corporate stooge that has created multiple fictional accounts in order to create the illusion of a consensus against union activity or progressive change?
This is not just a theoretical possibility. Thanks to the hackers known as anonymous we now know that corporations are talking about the implementation of this scheme. Additionally the government has solicited for the development of software that will create the fake personas, complete with independent Facebook and Linked-In accounts, etc. The details of this specific operation are explained at Daily Kos and Glenn Greenwald has the details about how the leak came about. But here's a brief summary.
Due to government pressure companies such as Amazon.com, Paypal, Master Card, and Visa stopped providing service to Wikileaks, though Wikileaks has done nothing illegal. In response a group of loosely grouped hackers referred to as "Anonymous" disrupted service for Amazon and the rest briefly. Despite the fact that these hacks were minor as contrasted with major internet assaults directed towards Wikileaks, several individuals that are alleged to be associated with "Anonymous" were arrested. Nobody that attacked Wikileaks was arrested of course. A security firm by the name of HB Gary boasted that they had helped expose some of the members of "Anonymous". In response these hackers hacked HB Gary and published thousands of internal emails.
These emails revealed that HB Gary is working with Bank of America in efforts to undermine Wikileaks. This involves planting false stories and going after journalistic supporters like Glenn Greenwald. It is this same set of emails that has exposed the scheme described above to generate fake personalities.
It's not about Republican vs Democrat. It's corporations vs people. Corporations must engage in this sort of behavior by design. Profits first, forgetting all else. If that means deception and subverting of democracy then that's what will be done.
"It's not about Republican vs Democrat. It's corporations vs people. Corporations must engage in this sort of behavior by design. Profits first, forgetting all else. If that means deception and subverting of democracy then that's what will be done."
ReplyDeleteWell... it does to, generally speaking, transform in part down to Republican vs Democrats.
Minor quibble. You write: In response a group of loosely grouped hackers referred to as "Anonymous" disrupted service for Amazon and the rest briefly.
ReplyDeleteI heard the opposite. While they were successful with other companies, I heard Amazon kicked their ass. What say you?
Paul, if you feel like watching a movie on youtube, watch this bit on the Investment Theory of Politics. There's a Wiki entry here. Kind of explains how business interest can form the major backbone of a single party if competing democratic interests, like labor, are strong enough. But when democracy is weaker it shifts to where one party reflects on set of business interests and the other represents another.
ReplyDeleteHP, you could be right on that. Kind of reinforces what I'm saying. The attacks were minor to insignificant, yet the justice department when after them, whereas the far more substantial attacks on Wikileaks of course go unpunished. I find you and Meghan's "kick ass" attitude a little strange. As if it's surprising that a multi-billion dollar corporation has the power to accomplish a lot of things in order to protect profits. They also have the power to deceive and engage in crimes that they get away with in order to protect profits. They kick ass in that domain as well. Meghan probably wouldn't brag about that though, but it's just as true.
Jon -
ReplyDeleteI hope to try and watch the movie. As to the rest of what you are saying to me - I have no significant disagreement.