Why isn't Anonymous helping us against SOpa and PIPA

[Greni]

I think you are confusing anon with some defined group with shared goals. It's pretty much like asking "why aren't the pianists fighting this thing".

 

[Raddra]

Anon would do far more harm than good here.

Right now without anything overly damaging we're making good ground.

 

[Jodah]

They are involved unfortunately, albeit because of megaupload being taken down but it is still anti-SOPA:

http://rt.com/usa/news/anonymous-doj-universal-sopa-235/

 

[Sarah Frazier]

This is something that the American people have to try to do for ourselves first.

Even if petitions, website blackouts, and refusing to vote for unpopular congressmen fail, at least it would have been following legal channels of taking action against crooked lawmaking. If something like SOPA/PIPA pass, then I'd say go for it. Our rights have been violated despite so many people following the law to see it not happen, so why should people keep playing fair?

 

[conflictofinterests]

This is Anonymous. Each individual acting together against oppression. It doesn't have to be in typical hacker fashion. All anyone has to do is get the word out.

Spoiler

[/spoiler]
This is what we did yesterday.

 

[Gilhelmi]

Seriously, They've occasionally been dicks and have definitely done stuff to gain the hate of many.
But These two acts are the sum of everything they hate, if they attacked Jean Simmons because went against their ideals, why aren't they attacking something that threatens to destroy the internet by massive Censorship.
Oh and here's another thing
on a different train of thought Who the hell does the US congress think its is? the internet is everywhere, like in Canada. SO they are imposing on international affairs, seriously this isn't legal.

Yes, because acts of terrorism will help here [/sarcasm].

No, you do not want their kind of help. Congress will say "See, this is what we are protecting you against". True or false, Irrelevant. They will do far more harm then good for the cause.

 

[Awexsome]

Because they're too busy throwing a hissy fit that they can't get their pirated stuff and porn off of MegaUpload now! LOL.

 

[Zydrate]

anonymous isn't one group. its everyone without an identity online. sure there are a few people who use the name "anonymous" but it doesn't mean that they are an organised body ready to act with unity. It's their greatest weakness, but also their greatest strength.

I disagree. I see Anonymous as a group of hackers. I may be an anon identity on the internet, but I couldn't scrape two lines of code together. And I've tried (Tech college, which I flunked out of).
So no, we're not 'all' Anonymous. Not in that form anyway.


However, I WAS expecting a "we told you so" kind of announcement, but I've been surprised to see them absent.

 

[Andy Shandy]

Well they seem to be acting now.

http://rt.com/usa/news/anonymous-doj-universal-sopa-235/

They've hit the Department of Justice, UMG, RIAA and MPAA sites, and apparently more is coming.

 

[OldNewNewOld]

On the contrary OP.
Anon is helping us by not doing anything. I find it rather interesting that a group without a real leader or any real hierarchy manged to do that. Many people actually think that Anon would help if they attacked some government sites, which isn't the case.

But I think that if SOPA passes, Anon will do something. That would actually be the best solution if SOPA passes.
If the government can't look at it's citizen as people, then the citizen shouldn't look at the government as people and simply treat them directly (i.e. brute force). Lets face it, the current mass media and government of every country wants to tell you that you're a caveman if you use force to change things, but in real life no revolution happened peacefully. The government won't care for you or your life until you put a fine rope around their neck.

Also, in some way, we are all currently Anon fighting for freedom of speech. All united, anonymous on the internet, fighting for a commune goal. That is why Anon was created in the first place. Don't forget, Anon isn't the group. Anon is the idea. The ideal that units us to fight together.

EDIT:
I just read in some posts that they actually did interfare.
It's because of Megaupload.
http://rt.com/usa/news/anonymous-doj-universal-sopa-235/

I would love to see them take down those sites and just put a blank page which says: "Now you see how it is to be censored!".

Please Anon, do ma favor. <3

 

[AT God]

I enjoy some of what anonymous does and I think they would be great if this bill was unstoppable but I think it can be stopped. Anon's tactics aren't always legal and it would be a great moment if the internet community could beat the politians at politics instead of computer know how.

 

[dexxyoto]

Unfortunately Anonymous is almost the poster child for why they want to get this bill through so really keeping their heads down is the best thing to be done.

 

[KeyMaster45]

*snip*

Anonymous is basically just a group of pranksters. They run around the digital neighborhood tp'ing houses and leaving flaming bags of shit on people's doorstep. They do it for the lulz, and while SOPA has many lulz to be had, they can all be garnered without vandalizing a website or phoning in death threats and pizzas to a senator.

Let me ask you something OP, exactly what do you want them to do? Looking at their track record they're not exactly a political force to be reckoned with. They're just nerds on the internet looking for an idiot's shoes to piss on and then laugh in their face.

 

[whiteshark12]

Anonymous can't do anything that will be useful as it's composed of people who don't understand normal human interaction. All they will do is ensure the pro-SOPA people use the "DONT GIVE IN TO THE TERRORISTS!!!!1!" and as such it will pass unanimously.

 

[Teddy Roosevelt]

First off, Congress can't impose laws on other nations, and it isn't. SOPA isn't going to extend to other nations. That should be a no-brainer, but whatever...

More importantly, Anonymous doesn't have the firepower to make the US government and its agencies really truly sweat. Keep in mind, the United States and affiliated defense contractors are working to maintain superiority on the cyber battlefield as they are on the physical battlefield. If we're working so hard to keep up with what China might be able to do to our networks and infrastructure, what is Anonymous going to do when the NSA kicks the door in and tears them down one cell at a time without breaking a sweat?

 

[Flames66]

I think they are wise to stay out of this, their reputation is not exactly stellar among some people so their help might just muddle the issue. Not to mention that their help is not really even needed here.

They are helping. There are videos by them raising awareness and explaining the legislation. (I think it is by them, hard to tell).

By the way everyone, check out ACTA. It is along the same lines but international and being talked about in secret. http://www.stopacta.info/

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

Seriously, They've occasionally been dicks and have definitely done stuff to gain the hate of many.
But These two acts are the sum of everything they hate, if they attacked Jean Simmons because went against their ideals, why aren't they attacking something that threatens to destroy the internet by massive Censorship.
Oh and here's another thing
on a different train of thought Who the hell does the US congress think its is? the internet is everywhere, like in Canada. SO they are imposing on international affairs, seriously this isn't legal.

I'd like to give you an answer in the form of V For Vendetta, as in the Alan Moore comic. You see, whether or not Anonymous thinks they're a load of Vs or just a big load...and regardless of whether or not they actually have their rather tenuous act together, they have to know that this is the part where you have to let The People act. This is not their stage. This is the people-stand-up-for-their-rights scene. If they show up now, it's ill-timed. To listen to the masses for their opinion - and there IS a big mass involved - is the carrot. Anonymous is the stick. It's an ugly stick, but that's what they are.

Put simply, this is the part where politicians get shocked by how much the public is against them. This is the time in which the common man stands shoulder to shoulder on a crowded street in protest. This is where a man marches up to a pedestal and makes a speech that starts with the historic words "I have a meme...". If Anonymous were to show up AS Anonymous, there would be alot of...


...reactionary nonsense and all logic or sense would be thrown out the windows as guns are drawn and they fire into the crowd.

This. Anon are seen as a criminal movement among the big wigs. The internet shutting down and all these messages are seen as the citizens moving. If Anon were to act, it might convince them that we are being misled and that by passing the bills they are protecting us.

Getting the public moving and angry? Politicians listen. Anon coming in and messing with EVERYONE'S shit? Not so good in this situation.

 

[Ranorak]

So Annon DDOS a few sites and posts some data online?
What's that going to do?

That's today's equivalent as sending prank calls and pizza orders to the senate.

 

[Atmos Duality]

Because Anonymous isn't a public organization with legitimate pull in politics or business.
What are they going to do? DDoS Congress?

Yeah, I'm sure that'd make a real convincing argument against getting PIPA passed.

 

[Vykrel]

they are now. the government illegally shut down MegaUpload and arrested four staff members (who were in New Zealand at the time). Anonymous has responded by taking down as many government sites and SOPA supporter's sites as they can.

https://twitter.com/#!/AnonDaily

some of the sites are back up right now, but theyll probably be taken down again in a matter of time.