An Anonymous Community

At first glance, the spying done by the FBI could possibly be equated with hacking. Both have the potential to dismantle people's lives and both are often done under the radar. But is there something more community-oriented integrated in hacking that draws people in, lets them contribute to a larger ideology, or take a stand for their beliefs? Cue Anonymous.

In the Piece "We Are Anonymous" by Parmy Olson, the author follows the story of Aaron Barr and his entanglement with the collective Anonymous. After making it his personal mission to dismantle the well established group, Aaron specifically attempted to infiltrate their space in chat rooms; aiming to trick them and gain their trust. He not only had concrete plans to report to the FBI, but jumped the gun and "reach[ed] out directly to the press before his talk" (9) specifically for the press attention (9). This decision made on the part of Aaron Barr illustrated his recklessness and oblivious mindset in regard to the entire ordeal.

Based on how the text frames Aaron's experience, it is logical to include his ego as playing a part in his actions. Not only was he seeking recognition in his career in a broad sense, but when planning out measures to take about sharing the information (or misinformation) he gathered, the text indicates, "he would also tell a few people in Anonymous, under a false persona, about the research of a 'so-called cyber security expert' named Aaron Barr" (9). This is a clear move for self-gratification on his part and showcases his desire for fame or recognition from multiple facets.

Not only was he blinded by his desire for others to indulge him, the text notes that, "[Barr was] so caught up in his ambitions that he'd become oblivious to the chaos going on around him" (23). This becomes obvious when reading the process in which Anonymous hacked into his server, e-mail, and social media sites. There must have been huge gaps of knowledge missing in the vain of virtual security, which is ironic considering his security website was so easily entered by Anonymous.

Anonymous themselves even noticed and pointed out this desire for recognition, when the home page of Aaron's website was edited to show the success of the group's hacking efforts. An excerpt of the paragraph stated, "Your recent claims of 'infiltrating' Anonymous amuse us, and so do your attempts at using Anonymous as a means to garner press attention for your self. How's this for attention" (21)?

For one person to go up against an entire community of people, especially with intentions like Aaron's, seems relatively absurd. The activism that's interwoven in Anonymous further strengthens the group, because tying in ideologies and passion can help further motivate them to push boundaries, not take no for an answer, and to continue with their efforts. The link between the Occupy movement and Anonymous is especially significant, because it combines multiple communities and platforms for action into one broader assemblage. When a movement has people online and in the streets, there is almost no silencing it.


Although there are struggles within Anonymous as the text points out, such as "weighing the ethos of anonymity and lies that [come] with it against the need for trust and truth" (410), the group still manages to trek on despite its sporadic setbacks (such as the arrests of some supporters/members). Despite the fine line being walked between anonymity, ethics, and legalities, it is hard to dispute that "you cannot arrest an idea" (406).

Works Cited

Anonymous. We Are Anonymous. Digital image. Black Blok. N.p., 2016. Web. 2 Mar. 2016. <https://blackblok.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1067>. 

Olson, Parmy. We Are Anonymous: Inside the Hacker World of Lulzsec, Anonymous, and the Global Cyber Insurgency. New York: Little, Brown, 2012. Print.