Our conversations will unfortunately have to be confined to email for the moment. Before I interview you via Skype I must wade through the bureaucratic mess that is the Universities ethics board. As such, nothing you say (until those forms go through) will be quoted or referenced in the thesis. However, I would still like to discuss a few ideas with you so that you have an understanding of my research before anything official is recorded. This will also give you a chance to discuss these ideas with the broader collective. I believe that this, in turn, will help contextualize your position within the community while at the same time, validate your academic worth within the thesis.
The thesis itself discusses the development on Anonymous as a social movement. The thesis will acknowledge the ideological concept of Anonymous; that Anonymous has no members, but is rather a collection of like minded individuals. The analysis derives from the distinct developmental process that Anonymous, as a collective, has undertaken. While 'newfags' may gets kicks out of waving the philosophical decentralized flag whenever someone tries to define them, it ignorant to ignor the fact that Anonymous, as a social movement, has changed. This will no doubt draw some negative criticism, however, academic research into Anonymous is a important step in terms of validating it as significant entity. While I have been involved with the collective since the Great Habbo Raid of '07, I have never been in a position to help the cause outside of joining the hive. This thesis, as well as my PhD, will be my way of contributing to the cause, and giving back for all the lulz.
Anonymous's development can be classified into four defining periods; Infancy/ Concept (2003-2005), Progressive Social Meme (2006- 2007), Social Movement (2008- 2009) and Decentralized Phantom Cell (2010- 2011). While these are the definitions that I am currently utilizing, they are subject to change (specifically the 2003-2005 period). Each phase is defined through a combination of tactics, agenda, membership, culture and philosophy. I am particually interested in your observations regarding the current development of Anonymous. This specifically refers to the de facto hierarchy evident within Anonymous websites; specifically those which require or incorage the creation of a user-name. Fundamentally, by creating a distinct user-name, an inderviduals comments are no longer solely judged on their content. Rather, their merit is influenced by a pre-constructed opinion of the user. This same concept applies to mods and ops. You, as a mod yourself, would no doubt be aware that you posts carry more weight within the community than those who merely lurking. This, in itself, is a sharp departure from the purely democratic process that was utilized during Project Chanology. Rather than all Anon's having an equal, non-individualistic voice, the current Anonymous (specifically of the Moralist ideology) is displaying early signs of leadership.
This is a very brief outline of my work, and it will no doubt change before publication. Moreover, I am more that willing to chat to you about any particular aspect of my research.
Thanks once again for agreeing to chat to me. While I'm aware that you do not speak for the collective, it still important to have insiders view and opinion. I hope that your current Op goes well and that you have a good day.