4 ms·

Ask HN: Legal and controlled involvement in Anonymous

6 points by SoftwareMaven 15y ago

Unfortunately, i have way too much to lose by jumping deeply into Anonymous: houses, spouses, and kids (wait, just one spouse :). That said, there are certain aspects of their mission less mission I fully support. How can one support their mission without taking the massive risk my kids would become homeless from my lack of pay if things go bad. I also wonder how to deal with the 40% I see that is really good and the 60% that I see is teenage punk action. Thoughts?

stfu 15y ago
The probably easiest way to do so is by supporting your local Chanology chapter. Ask them what they need and to provide some address where you can send the stuff. Keeps you hands clean (e.g. you won't have to reveal your identity) and even in a hypothetical worst case you just supported some anti-Scientology movement - something that won't give you any bad rep even if it would make the headline of your local newspaper.
smoyer 15y ago
IANAL But what you're proposing sounds very dangerous to me. Do you trust that law enforcement is smart enough to recognize that your involvement is philanthropic and legal? You'll likely be working with individuals that these agencies deem to be criminal and the old saying guilty by association is still true. And if you prove your innocence, what have you spent in the process? I actually tend to agree with you, but you should also look at the history of Anonymous ... to my eyes, it's becoming less charitable, and more destructive. Good luck!
- SoftwareMaven 15y ago
  These thoughts are, of douse, why I've kept my distance. The alternative (playing in the rules) only sees to work if you've got 10+ digit incomes. I'm trying to find the third option.
Joakal 15y ago
Most radical political supporters acknowledge that jail or prolonged detainment is likely. Heck, you can be jailed for a while for contempt if you refuse to reveal your password to encrypted containers even if you forget the password. If you really want to go down this route, I recommend that it would be more efficient to focus on your goals and have a disaster plan (minimum of regular lawyer contact, grandparents support them, etc). It's the least you can do, since I assume your family supports your ambitions.

6 points by SoftwareMaven 15y ago

stfu 15y ago

The probably easiest way to do so is by supporting your local Chanology chapter. Ask them what they need and to provide some address where you can send the stuff. Keeps you hands clean (e.g. you won't have to reveal your identity) and even in a hypothetical worst case you just supported some anti-Scientology movement - something that won't give you any bad rep even if it would make the headline of your local newspaper.

smoyer 15y ago

IANAL But what you're proposing sounds very dangerous to me. Do you trust that law enforcement is smart enough to recognize that your involvement is philanthropic and legal? You'll likely be working with individuals that these agencies deem to be criminal and the old saying guilty by association is still true. And if you prove your innocence, what have you spent in the process? I actually tend to agree with you, but you should also look at the history of Anonymous ... to my eyes, it's becoming less charitable, and more destructive. Good luck!

SoftwareMaven 15y ago
These thoughts are, of douse, why I've kept my distance. The alternative (playing in the rules) only sees to work if you've got 10+ digit incomes. I'm trying to find the third option.

Joakal 15y ago

Most radical political supporters acknowledge that jail or prolonged detainment is likely. Heck, you can be jailed for a while for contempt if you refuse to reveal your password to encrypted containers even if you forget the password. If you really want to go down this route, I recommend that it would be more efficient to focus on your goals and have a disaster plan (minimum of regular lawyer contact, grandparents support them, etc). It's the least you can do, since I assume your family supports your ambitions.