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Speaking for myself, this was brought to my attention in the context of a developing story about WikiLeaks being under duress or Julian Assange missing, who has

Speaking for myself, this was brought to my attention in the context of a developing story about WikiLeaks being under duress or Julian Assange missing, who has not sent direct communication let alone signed communication for around a month now. EDIT - if curious, https://www.reddit.com/r/WhereIsAssange/ https://www.reddit.com/r/WhereIsAssange/

ebcode 10y ago
I'm trying to spread the word. Please post a proof-of-life of yourself today somewhere on the internet. http://imgur.com/9Gn8tRr http://imgur.com/9Gn8tRr
- orthoganol 10y ago
  Sorry, I don't understand this. It's incredibly bizarre to be posting selfies with messages on HN.
  - ebcode 10y ago
    Granted. You're right that this is bizarre. I'm posting a proof-of-life of myself because Julian Assange is unable to, and I'm trying to get the word out. It's not just a selfie -- It's proof that I'm alive. Basically I'm pretty much freaking out at the moment because it appears that Julian has been disappeared, and I'm doing whatever I can to try and spread awareness about this issue. Previously, there were people on HN who were sympathetic to WikiLeaks and their cause, and this appears to be changing.
    - neom 10y ago
      It's more likely that the relatively logical and thoughtful HN community isn't sure if Julian has become somewhat unhinged, if you will.
      - ebcode 10y ago
        thanks for that. :) yeah, I need to calm down a bit, lest I become unhinged myself.
    - angry-hacker 10y ago
      It changed because of elections. Truth often hurts when it's bad and is against people you support. I hope Assange is doing well.
resfirestar 10y ago
Are you aware that the current top post (about blockchain) reads like a parody of a conspiracy theory?
- orthoganol 10y ago
  Yep that doesn't look too good. Iirc there was more reasonable discussion on r/bitcoin. They have used the blockchain in the past, I will say that. Without trying to turn this thread into a full "Where is Assange?" discussion, for me I just can't imagine why he has not sent communication since mid October, now long after the election, especially since the chorus is now strong enough that their Twitter has to say "everyone relax." He usually sees a lot of visitors, and they have access to millions of dollars, so he certainly has various ways to connect to the Internet just to say "I'm fine."
  - notahacker 10y ago
    Without trying to turn this into a full "Where is Assange?" discussion, unless the conspiracy against Assange involves compromising such disparate actors as Ecuadorean embassy staff and prosecutor, the Swedish prosecutor, his own legal team, Wikileaks staff posting press releases in his name, Pamela Anderson and John Pilger, all of whom have communicated with him since his supposed disappearance, it's probably safe to assume that he has other priorities than sending a signed "I'm fine" message, particularly since it's already been documented that his preferred method of internet access was cut.
    - orthoganol 10y ago
      Yes, I know there are a few people who have said "He is fine, trust us", but it would take all of 2 seconds for him to send a message himself, a picture, a video clip, stand by the window, or go on the balcony, and there has now been a very long, uncharacteristic time window where he has not done this. He has many means of communication, regularly has visitors, and has a very legitimate reason for doing it (to silence all the people who are concerned, constantly Tweeting at them, calling to cease donations, etc.) - so the fact he hasn't is worthy of our suspicion. EDIT - I really did mean "didn't want to start full discussion", because there apparently is a whole lot more circumstantial evidence, including regarding some of the people you mentioned (like some members of his legal team being barred entry), but seriously, I'm going to leave the fullness of that discussion for Reddit, and think anyone who is interested in it should take it up there.
notatoad 10y ago
it's well known that his internet is cut off. I think if somebody was sending communications with his signing key while he is known to be unable to communicate, that would be the real problem.
- orthoganol 10y ago
  He usually sees a lot of visitors, and the organization has access to millions of dollars, so he certainly has various methods available to him to say "I'm fine." They can't physically "cut him off" the Internet, but they can demand that he pause the election-related PR he was doing. They asked him to not interfere in the election, specifically. However, the election has been over for some time. Even if they could, I doubt the Ecuadorian Embassy would forbid him from sending a basic message, picture, clip to verify he is OK, especially since pressure has been on them for a while now about his well being.
- roywiggins 10y ago
  He could probably just give a wave from the embassy balcony? He's been out there before, though perhaps his circumstances have changed.

ebcode 10y ago

I'm trying to spread the word. Please post a proof-of-life of yourself today somewhere on the internet. http://imgur.com/9Gn8tRr http://imgur.com/9Gn8tRr

orthoganol 10y ago
Sorry, I don't understand this. It's incredibly bizarre to be posting selfies with messages on HN.
- ebcode 10y ago
  Granted. You're right that this is bizarre. I'm posting a proof-of-life of myself because Julian Assange is unable to, and I'm trying to get the word out. It's not just a selfie -- It's proof that I'm alive. Basically I'm pretty much freaking out at the moment because it appears that Julian has been disappeared, and I'm doing whatever I can to try and spread awareness about this issue. Previously, there were people on HN who were sympathetic to WikiLeaks and their cause, and this appears to be changing.
  - neom 10y ago
    It's more likely that the relatively logical and thoughtful HN community isn't sure if Julian has become somewhat unhinged, if you will.
    - ebcode 10y ago
      thanks for that. :) yeah, I need to calm down a bit, lest I become unhinged myself.
  - angry-hacker 10y ago
    It changed because of elections. Truth often hurts when it's bad and is against people you support. I hope Assange is doing well.

resfirestar 10y ago

Are you aware that the current top post (about blockchain) reads like a parody of a conspiracy theory?

orthoganol 10y ago
Yep that doesn't look too good. Iirc there was more reasonable discussion on r/bitcoin. They have used the blockchain in the past, I will say that. Without trying to turn this thread into a full "Where is Assange?" discussion, for me I just can't imagine why he has not sent communication since mid October, now long after the election, especially since the chorus is now strong enough that their Twitter has to say "everyone relax." He usually sees a lot of visitors, and they have access to millions of dollars, so he certainly has various ways to connect to the Internet just to say "I'm fine."
- notahacker 10y ago
  Without trying to turn this into a full "Where is Assange?" discussion, unless the conspiracy against Assange involves compromising such disparate actors as Ecuadorean embassy staff and prosecutor, the Swedish prosecutor, his own legal team, Wikileaks staff posting press releases in his name, Pamela Anderson and John Pilger, all of whom have communicated with him since his supposed disappearance, it's probably safe to assume that he has other priorities than sending a signed "I'm fine" message, particularly since it's already been documented that his preferred method of internet access was cut.
  - orthoganol 10y ago
    Yes, I know there are a few people who have said "He is fine, trust us", but it would take all of 2 seconds for him to send a message himself, a picture, a video clip, stand by the window, or go on the balcony, and there has now been a very long, uncharacteristic time window where he has not done this. He has many means of communication, regularly has visitors, and has a very legitimate reason for doing it (to silence all the people who are concerned, constantly Tweeting at them, calling to cease donations, etc.) - so the fact he hasn't is worthy of our suspicion. EDIT - I really did mean "didn't want to start full discussion", because there apparently is a whole lot more circumstantial evidence, including regarding some of the people you mentioned (like some members of his legal team being barred entry), but seriously, I'm going to leave the fullness of that discussion for Reddit, and think anyone who is interested in it should take it up there.

notatoad 10y ago

it's well known that his internet is cut off. I think if somebody was sending communications with his signing key while he is known to be unable to communicate, that would be the real problem.

orthoganol 10y ago
He usually sees a lot of visitors, and the organization has access to millions of dollars, so he certainly has various methods available to him to say "I'm fine." They can't physically "cut him off" the Internet, but they can demand that he pause the election-related PR he was doing. They asked him to not interfere in the election, specifically. However, the election has been over for some time. Even if they could, I doubt the Ecuadorian Embassy would forbid him from sending a basic message, picture, clip to verify he is OK, especially since pressure has been on them for a while now about his well being.
roywiggins 10y ago
He could probably just give a wave from the embassy balcony? He's been out there before, though perhaps his circumstances have changed.