We are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists

 

In recent years, the radical online community known as Anonymous has been associated with attacks or “raids” on hundreds of targets.  Angered by issues as diverse as copyright abuse and police brutality, they’ve taken on child pornographers, the Bay Area Rapid Transit system and even forced a standoff with Mexican drug cartels.  They’ve hit corporate targets like Sony, cyber-security firms like HBGary Federal and would-be web controllers like the Church of Scientology.

They shut down Mastercard, Visa and Paypal after those groups froze financial transactions to Wikileaks.  Along with other hacktivist groups like Telecomix, they’ve launched cyber attacks against foreign governments in support of the Arab Spring.  They served as tech support for the Occupy movement and have put their mark on countless uprisings around the world. 

So who is Anonymous?

They’ve been called criminals, “hackers on steroids” and even terrorists. But the vast majority of those who identify as Anonymous don’t break the law.  They see themselves as activists and protectors of free speech, and tend to rise up most powerfully when they perceive a threat to internet freedom or personal privacy.  Whether you are a soccer mom or a member of Congress, you live in an electronic landscape that has exploded with largely unchecked intrusion and surveillance.  You are tracked by government databases while corporate advertisers are looking to buy your personal data for pennies.  In this landscape, the existence of the collective internet culture called Anonymous makes the case for anonymity.

Using tools of disruption and spectacle, they have also become the face of dissent for a variety of human rights and information freedom groups around the globe.  They are a legion of loud but largely masked geeks, hackers, pranksters and outraged citizens who have unwittingly redefined civil disobedience for the digital age, and found themselves in the middle of one of the most important battles of our time.

WE ARE LEGION: The Story of the Hacktivists, takes us inside the complex culture and history of Anonymous. The film explores early hacktivist groups like Cult of the Dead Cow and Electronic Disturbance Theater, and then moves to Anonymous’ own raucous and unruly beginnings on the website 4Chan.

Through interviews with current members – some recently returned from prison, others still awaiting trial – as well as writers, academics and major players in various “raids,” WE ARE LEGION traces the collective’s breathtaking evolution from merry pranksters to a full-blown, global movement, one armed with new weapons of civil disobedience for an online world.

You can find this documentary on Netflix or Youtube. Warning: There is some swearing!

Year 13 Media -- Past paper topics

June 2014 - News - Moving image and print-out of website (Therealnews.com)

June 2013 - Music - Print-out of Kerrang website and and front cover of Kerrang magazine

Jan 2013 - Sport - Moving image ESPN title sequence from the coverage of the Women’s Super League and BBC highlights of the football match between England and France in The 2011 women's world cup

June 2012 - Film (vampire genre) - Moving image Twilight and Moving image Let the Right One In 

Jan 2012 - Gaming - Moving image advert for DJ Hero and Moving image advert for Xbox 360 connect.

MEST 3 - 42 mark answer on NDM case study

Here is a real past answer taken from the 2014 exam series. I have highlighted key areas and labelled why those areas have got marks. You will note that the case study of 'Youtube' is potentially limiting as it wouldn't always allow the candidate to discuss how NDM has impacted upon it. That said, the answer is very focussed with a range of examples and sophisticated understanding of globalisation. A few revision suggestions are at the bottom of the answer for you.

Q6 – New and Digital Media have contributed to the process of globalisation: the idea that the world is becoming increasingly interconnected through one global culture. Using your own case study, evaluate the impact that new and digital media have had on globalisation.

 = 42 marks

New and digital media has created a big impact on globalisation as my case study on Youtube shows. My case study focuses on the Youtube stars, or ‘Youtubers’ and their use of the platform of Youtube. This is an interesting topic of debate as on the one hand there is more scope for globalisation on Youtube, however this is still only to a certain extent. 80% of Youtube’s traffic comes from outside of the US with 100 hours of content being uploaded each minute, reaching more 18-34 year olds in the US than any cable network. This indicates a more global culture and maybe one not so centered on the American Media conglomerates such as Hollywood.

Clear mention of independent case study

Study of institution and focus on question 

The Youtubers who have had the most success and popularity are a lot of the British Youtubers. In Britain our TV screens have been dominated by American imports such as E4 with their constant screenings of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and ‘How I Met Your Mother’ rather than primarily British comedies such as ‘The Inbetweeners’ which is not as frequently shown. Youtuber ‘Danisnotonfire’ has more than 3 million subscribers and he is a regular British youth figure, he is sarcastic, cynical and socially awkward which sums up British youth comedy culture. Dan Howell, ‘Danisnotonfire’, makes videos mainly about ranking of identifiable British annoyances such as the problems of the London Underground and how annoying people are in the town centre when he is out shopping. His humour brings back a sense of British identity which has been lost with the cultural imperialism of America and even the ‘Disneyfication’ of British shows such as ‘Doctor Who’ whose main writer Moffatt is adding in more and more catchphrases and similar sitcom style comedy to draw in an American audience. 

Institution 

 Example

Theory/issue/debate

McLuhan's  theory of a Global Village is defining what Youtube can provide with its comments sections which enables opinions from everywhere and offers audiences participation. Tim O’Reilly’s theory dubbed ‘Web 2.0’ emphasises the importance of user generated content countering Gauntlett’s ‘old media gods’ and this is what allows Youtube to create a globalised culture. More diversity can be used on Youtube as there is no official use of hegemony from big media institutions. Youtubers have had success from all areas of the globe and all different races and nationalities for instance Caspar Lee is South African, the fanethians and Troyesivanis are all from Australia and the most successful Youtuber ever Pewdiepie, has 27 million subscribers and earns $7 million from Youtube, is Swedish. This shows a global culture being created and Youtube has had a big impact on global culture. Maltby’s celebrity worship has also created more globalisation through Youtube as the celebrity status of Youtubers has meant that there are now conventions and meetups globally to see the ‘Youtubers’, most recently in Italy, Singapore and Sydney, Australia. The Youtube community have also built up a big following in Japan where technology is at its height and the cult following of these stars has risen to celebrity status. 80% of traffic on Youtube that comes from outside of the US congregates around these Youtube stars and then this celebrity culture is taken to Twitter, which most Youtubers use, and the fan base following creates more globalisation as fans from around the world support the same Youtube ‘star’.

Institution 

 Example

Theory/issue/debate
Focus on question 
New Digital Media 
 

However, although Youtube seems to offer a platform for diversity and globalisation which cannot be found in traditional media, how global is it? Although the following of Youtube appears to create companionship as Sherry Turkle states with its social network aspect the content of Youtube itself is not that globalised. 42% of Youtube’s content comes from professional companies and institutions which could indicate hegemonic values and ideology. The Youtube stars themselves, although seem to be diverse coming from different backgrounds and cultures, are primarily westernised. The most successful Youtubers are usually white, middle class, English speakers. Although Pewdiepie is Swedish his videos are all in English to cater for the English speaking audiences. With the exception of Youtube star Kingsley, none of the most successful Youtubers are of a different race, they mainly appear to be white youth. The globalisation only reaches an extent as the most successful Youtubers have expensive cameras editing equipment and Mac Apple laptops, suggesting that only wealthy and countries with advanced technology can become successful and globalised in the Youtube community. The limits that come with the hegemonic Youtube stars is that their fame limits audience participation and the ‘prosumers’ turn to passive consumers as they begin using Youtube like TV to watch their favourite Youtube personality. Although they can post comments many feel they are not inclined to get into discussion as the successful ‘Youtuber’ won’t see their comment, this creates a passive audience and limits globalisation. The American Youtubers also dominate the rankings for highest earning Youtubers, JennaMarbles earns $3 million and postmodern Youtuber Raywilliamjohnson earns $4 million which indicates there is still cultural imperialism of America. Although Raywilliamjohnson’s videos, an online series titled ‘Equals three’, use the viral videos from around the world in Manovich’s remix culture, he still puts an Americanised commentary after the viral videos that come from across the globe. 

Institution 

 Example

Theory/issue/debate
Focus on question 
New Digital Media

In conclusion, the content of Youtube has contributed greatly to the impact new and digital media has had on globalisation as it combines an element of television with social networking. The ‘Youtubers’ have played a part in taking down the Americanised culture, particularly the British Youtubers who seem to have brought back traditional, sarky British humour and identity. Yet Youtube’s success of globalisation is limited, Youtube is owned by Google, an American company, and most of the highest earning Youtubers are American or of white, western culture which suggests an elements of hegemony even on the internet. However, Youtube’s social network aspect cannot be ignored, the comments section and ability to upload your own content and share with the world, as Youtube’s remit states ‘create, connect, inspire,’ which creates Mcluhan’s global village and contributes to globalisation. Overall, Youtube offers a platform for all to contribute and participate which creates the globalisation, however the audiences must enforces their role as the prosumer instead of the passive consumer to do so.

Suggested research for you (click the links below!):

 Mcluhan's global village

Sherry Turkle on companionship 

Manovich 'remix culture'

Sect B past question Year 12

'Our enjoyment of media products is influenced by the platforms we use to access them.'
How far is this true of your cross-media study?
In your answer you should:

• provide a brief outline of your cross-media study
• consider how audiences use and respond to media products from different media platforms
• support your answer with reference to a range of examples from three media platforms

We have worked to plan this answer together in class.
ENJOYMENT = what the audience get out of it = look at audience theory > Uses and Gratifications, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, Active/Passive Audiences.

Revise preferred, oppositional and negotiated readings if you can't remember what these mean. Also revise the meaning of a POLYSEMIC text.

Print = limited enjoyment as audience can be argued to mostly be passive. However, print is now changing to encourage audiences to participate on other platforms > this enhances enjoyment.

Moving image = enigma codes create intrigue and mystery for audience, could develop personal relationships as audiences discuss what it means.  Characterisation and narrative allow audience to form an idea of their own personal identity based on what they see.

E-media = most enjoyable as most interactive and personalised for audiences. Can represent self on e-media. Social media allows interaction with favourite artists, entry to competitions, audience given a voice which they do not necessarily have on other platforms. E -media also allows audience to play the role of producer (youtube etc)

Go on the media blog and print off the media terms glossary to revise from. Treat it as a check list when you write answers!

A top band answer will have:

• Thorough application of knowledge and understanding of how audiences respond to media products from different media platforms
• 
  
• Thorough use of a range of detailed examples from three media platforms
• 
  
• Clear, well organised and appropriate communication. Engaged response with fluent use of media terminology
• 
  
• Confident understanding and application of media ideas/issues/theories/ debates

Y12 Media MEST1 Past Paper Questions - Plan and develop your cross media study to prepare for similar

MEST 1 Section B Cross Media Study Past Questions

45 minutes

'To be successful, media institutions have to use a variety of media platforms.'

To what extent is this true of your cross-media study?

In your answer you should:

·         provide a brief outline of your cross-media study

·         consider the possible advantages of using a range of media platforms

·         support your answer with reference to a range of examples from three media platforms.

(32 marks)

'Our enjoyment of media products is influenced by the platforms we use to access them.'

How far is this true of your cross-media study?

In your answer you should:

·         provide a brief outline of your cross-media study

·         consider how audiences use and respond to media products from different media platforms

·         support your answer with reference to a range of examples from three media platforms.

(32 marks)

Evaluate how far audiences are able to represent themselves and/or their ideas and opinions in media products from your cross-media study.

·         Support your answer with reference to a range of examples from three media platforms

(32 marks)

Evaluate how successfully media products from your cross-media study are promoted within and across media platforms

·         Support your answer with reference to a range of examples from three media platforms.

(32 marks)

Consider how imaginative techniques are used by media products from your cross-media study to attract and maintain audiences.

·         Support your answer with reference to a range of examples from three media platforms.

(32 marks)

Synergy is the process by which media institutions use a range of platforms to promote, sell and distribute their products. Assess the impact of synergy in your cross-media study.

·         Support your answer with reference to a range of examples from three media platforms.

(32 marks)

Evaluate how new technologies have been used in the products in your cross-media study.

·         Support your answer with reference to a range of products from three media platforms.

(32 marks)

Intertextuality describes the way in which media products make reference to other media products that producers assume audiences will recognise.

Identify the ways intertextuality is used in your cross-media study.

·         Support your answer with reference to a range of products from three media platforms.

(32 marks)

How far does the platform on which they are consumed determine the construction of media products in your cross-media study?

·         Support your answer with reference to a range of products from three media platforms.

(32 marks)

Explore how representations are constructed in media products from your cross-media study.

·         Support your answer with reference to a range of products from three media platforms.

(32 marks)