Re: Possible Shell Op
Subject: Re: Possible Shell Op
From: Ian Murphy <ian.larry.murphy@gmail.com>
Date: 7/2/12, 09:01
To: Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com>

Barrett,

That's interesting. I know little about Anonymous, but it always struck me as chaotic to the point of implosion. But that's people, I guess. I'm all for organic action, but it creates logistical barriers, imho. As with Occupy, though, it's tough to establish leaders & protocol -- even if there are de facto leaders & protocol -- because it runs contrary to the ideal. But ideals are just ideal. Anywho...

You're right: Shell's unethical dealings in Nigeria may be a good lead in to other issues. They're unregulated, and horrendously filthy, because the government is full of Shell sock-puppets. In the Arctic, however, regulation is nearly meaningless because there's just no way to deal with a spill in that environment -- even if Shell laughably claims to employ oil-sniffing dogs. There's really no shortage of Shell villainy.

So, yeah, if you know of some people who might be interested in whatever the hell we're talking about, please send 'em my way. Thanks!

Best,
Ian


On Sun, Jul 1, 2012 at 5:32 AM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:
Ian-

The thing about Anonymous right now is that a lot of the talent and
work ethic that drove the successful operations of the past has
gradually disappeared. A year ago, something like this could be
brought up in one of the IRC channels and people would get on board,
but as it is, the noise to signal ratio within the various venues has
become ridiculous, and it's sort of a viscous cycle. I'm hoping to
keep Project PM viable as a mean of at least keeping some media focus
on the cyber-industrial complex and all that, and like a number of
other people, I'm not entirely ready to give up on Anonymous just yet,
but realistically I think the way forward is smaller groups
established with at least some degree of "operating procedures" and
intent, established by its founder.

Having said all of that, I do think a couple of people I know within
Anon might be able to do something with this. I'm going to ask around
a bit and see what I can come up with. Are you the point of contact on
this? If so, I might have a couple of folks I know get in touch with
you at this e-mail address. Also, I'd note that any info campaign
involving Shell should bring up the Wikileaks cable on what Shell has
done in Nigeria, which is especially egregious and I think a very good
way to prompt attention to the other issues.

On Thu, Jun 28, 2012 at 8:11 PM, Ian Murphy <ian.larry.murphy@gmail.com> wrote:
> Barrett,
> Thanks for texting back. I was starting to presume that you're constantly
> ditching phones as to avert tracking. Then again, I have no idea how
> technology works.
>
> OK, so I'm working with the Yes Men/Labs and Greenpeace (in a small and
> totally unofficial capacity). Maybe you saw the whole #shellfail thing, or
> the parody Shell arcticready.com website. Anywho, GP peeps may or may not
> have uttered the word "Anonymous," and then promptly claimed they could be
> nowhere near any kind of action, nor were they willing to specify. Andy of
> the YM put out some feelers, nothing stuck, apparently. It's not really
> their scene, so the task fell to me -- the guy who doesn't understand
> technology. That's why I texted you.
>
> I have no idea what GP/YM have in mind other than an action that'll get the
> press to pay some attention to Shell's Arctic summer lease, their ancient
> equipment, and their total inability to deal with a spill in that
> environment. Not to mention the whole suicide by carbon dioxide angle.
> They've been great in getting some #shellfail press, but species survival
> seems like something anons might be into, too. Um...off the top of my head:
> it would be amazing to replace Shell's site with the spoof. But, again, I
> have no idea how technology works. I dunno! The headlines should be
> "Anonymous takes on Arctic Drilling/Climate Change/Shell Oil". Sorry for
> being so vague/dumb. Whatever happens, if anything, GP can't be connected to
> this, so hush on that, please & thank you.
>
> Excuse my ignorance, but what are our options? I was just hoping to plant a
> seed somewhere, and watch something grow organically. But, again, I have no
> idea how this works.
>
> I'm trying not to bug Andy because he's on vacation, but if he needs to hop
> on an IRC at some point, that's probably doable. I'll loop him in on this
> conversation if it seems promising. (He's one of my heroes, so I'm hesitant
> to bother him about things that might not go anywhere and will therefore
> make me look like an idiot.)
>
> Anyway, let me know what's up,
> Ian



--
Regards,

Barrett Brown
940-735-9748