On 12/10/10 11:51 AM, Chris Farnham wrote:

I watch anon and /b/ and have done for a while now (no I do not chan). There are some interesting crossovers with AQ and the decentralization/motivation of ideology. I don't think they have yet reached a point where they have become a cogent threat to security. However this wikileaks thing has the potential to be a catalyst for them. A web based subversive entity has just rocked the world for two weeks, that's dynamite for these guys.

The chaners/anon/b are educated and at the leading edge of network based technology, have a nebulous structure of loyal people spread through the world with no nationalistic foundations bit drawn together under a shared interest in chaos (hentai and cats, for fuck sake). There are numerous examples where they have uncovered identities and all personal details of people based on a single photo (of a woman putting a cat in a garbage bin, for example) and bought some serious vigilanty style justice to those they disagree with. They have also crossed over into the physical/real life world a number of times.

These guys are on the same level as the Chinese human flesh seach engines and quite possibly the cyber warfare units of many developed countries today.

Most importantly, for the US at least, I have noted a number of militant libertarians within their periphery.

It's going to be very interesting to watch what anon does in the 'post-wilileaks' environment. If they move from a bunch of tech geeks in mum's basement into a real movement they could cause serious trouble and be hard to kill. The coresy not be the problem but the few unhinged among them could prove to be quite destructive if so inclined.

Sent from my iPhone

STRATFOR EMAILS: STRATFOR SYDNEY BASED WATCH OFFICER CHRIS FARNHAM CONNECTION TO SWEDISH WOMAN IN ASSANGE CASE.