On Sun, Aug 5, 2012 at 12:38 PM, Christine Yoon <
siege.yoon@gmail.com> wrote:
> Great! 6 Central or Pacific?
>
> On Sun, Aug 5, 2012 at 1:29 AM, Barrett Brown <
barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Sure, some time around 6?
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Aug 5, 2012, at 2:53 AM, Christine Yoon <
siege.yoon@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hey, Barrett - just thought I'd update you. I had a crazy week thanks to
>> a couple of unexpected freelance gigs, but those are mostly wrapped up and
>> I'm getting back to this pitch. I'm writing to your mom now, but apart from
>> that, I think we'll be in good shape if I just interview you and Jenna. Do
>> ya'll have any time tomorrow (Sunday) to skype? I'll be ready to rock
>> between now and about 10 pm my time Sunday night - just shoot me a text if
>> you've got half an hour to spare.
>>
>> Talk soon!
>> -yoon
>>
>> On Thu, Jul 26, 2012 at 5:24 PM, Christine Yoon <
siege.yoon@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Oh, ok - the video never existed - that's a relief. And we'll leave your
>>> dad alone :P
>>>
>>> As of about two minutes ago, my company has pushed pitches back two
>>> weeks. I guess this means we might end up with more competition - but it
>>> also means that I've got a lot more time to polish the initial video. So, I
>>> think it's good news, overall. In light of that, I'd like to push our
>>> interview back to Sunday afternoon/evening, if possible. Just let me know
>>> if that works for you. And if Jenna's available around the same time, I'd
>>> love to talk to her, as well.
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Jul 25, 2012 at 12:37 PM, Barrett Brown <
barriticus@gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Friday should be fine. I'm afraid there's no video of me asking for a
>>>> ticket to NYC; whoever told you that is mis-remembering, as it was
>>>> just a tweet. My dad is actually terrible at interviews and wouldn't
>>>> be helpful in this, as I learned when he was interviewed for the D Mag
>>>> article.
>>>>
>>>> On Wed, Jul 25, 2012 at 4:50 AM, Christine Yoon <
siege.yoon@gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>> > Barrett -
>>>> >
>>>> > Thanks so much for the info and the pictures! I've been sifting
>>>> > through
>>>> > video since this weekend, and adding these photos will help a lot.
>>>> > I'll be
>>>> > stoked if we can get the safari video, of course, but if it's not
>>>> > possible,
>>>> > c'est la vie. The one piece of footage that I would be thrilled to
>>>> > have at
>>>> > this point is the video where you asked for assistance buying a ticket
>>>> > to
>>>> > New York last fall. If you have *any* idea of anyone who might still
>>>> > have a
>>>> > copy of that, let me know!!
>>>> >
>>>> > I'll look through the Guardian pieces and read up on David Fein and
>>>> > Commander X over the next few days. I may also try to contact Jay
>>>> > Leiderman. And I've already had the chance to talk to Mirna a bit.
>>>> > Stein
>>>> > is putting me in touch with Josh and John in New York... so I think we
>>>> > will
>>>> > be set in terms of friends appearing on the video, at least for this
>>>> > round
>>>> > of pitching. I would love to talk to Jenna tomorrow night if possible
>>>> > - the
>>>> > company has a Skype recording setup, but I don't have access to it
>>>> > until
>>>> > about 10 pm my time, i.e. after midnight. How does that timing work
>>>> > for
>>>> > y'all? I'll also email your mom, and perhaps try to set up a talk
>>>> > with her
>>>> > over the weekend. Both Stein and Mirna have said that your dad would
>>>> > be a
>>>> > great person to talk to as well - do you think he'd be down? Finally,
>>>> > I
>>>> > don't know how Friday is looking for you, but I think that would be a
>>>> > good
>>>> > time for us to do your Skype bit... just let me know if you've got
>>>> > plans.
>>>> >
>>>> > My cell is
504 4197287 - I think it'll be easiest to text just before
>>>> > we
>>>> > start an interview. I'll be using the company's Skype account, but I
>>>> > don't
>>>> > remember it off the top of my head.
>>>> >
>>>> > Things seem to be shaping up nicely! Looking forward to speaking face
>>>> > to
>>>> > face-ish!
>>>> >
>>>> >
>>>> > On Tue, Jul 24, 2012 at 7:04 PM, Barrett Brown <
barriticus@gmail.com>
>>>> > wrote:
>>>> >>
>>>> >> Sorry again for the delay.
>>>> >>
>>>> >> Jonathan Farley isn't based in Boston; he does teaches somewhere in
>>>> >> the Northeast, though (I forgot where, as he changed schools
>>>> >> recently,
>>>> >> but I'll ask).
>>>> >>
>>>> >> I've sent an e-mail to the guy in South Africa who produced the
>>>> >> hunting video, so hopefully I'll hear back from him soon; it's
>>>> >> actually possible that the FBI took my copy, as they listed taking a
>>>> >> CD case with a blank CD that I think may have been it. In the
>>>> >> meantime, I do have about a dozen pictures from that hunting trip to
>>>> >> Africa on Facebook as well as a few more from boar hunts in Texas in
>>>> >> my Gmail; go ahead and friend me on Facebook to get access to the
>>>> >> former and I'll forward the latter in a moment. The other FB photos
>>>> >> might also be useful.
>>>> >>
>>>> >> Mirna's Gmail address is
mirnahariz@gmail.com if you'd like to go
>>>> >> ahead and contact her; she'd be the best for a Skype interview, and
>>>> >> could probably best be convinced to participate in the series as a
>>>> >> whole if it comes from you. I actually don't have her phone number
>>>> >> anymore (lost them all when FBI took my phone), but I'll send her a
>>>> >> message telling her to expect you to get in touch.
>>>> >>
>>>> >> The Anonymous book is actually about Gregg Housh, whose deal it was;
>>>> >> I
>>>> >> was just brought on to ghostwrite it, and since then I've sold them
>>>> >> the manuscript and moved off the project, which will be re-written by
>>>> >> some other writer. But if you wanted to couple each episode with
>>>> >> other
>>>> >> things I've written, such as for The Guardian, that might be viable;
>>>> >> here are my past op-eds for them:
>>>> >>
http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/barrett-brown
>>>> >>
>>>> >> Also, to be clear, there's nothing about the project I'm doing with
>>>> >> David House that's a secret or proprietary; I just haven't yet
>>>> >> completed the presentation, which will take a bit more work on my end
>>>> >> before it's ready. I should have it done within a week and a half,
>>>> >> though, so at that point you'll be better able to determine how it
>>>> >> might be incorporated into a season or a few episodes or what have
>>>> >> you.
>>>> >>
>>>> >> Jenna would be happy to do a Skype interview at your convenience. I'm
>>>> >> sure my mom could download Skype as well. Her e-mail is
>>>> >>
lancaster.karen@gmail.com if you'd like to contact her directly, or I
>>>> >> can give you her cell, too.
>>>> >>
>>>> >> Incidentally, that Anon mentioned in the Isikoff interview is not
>>>> >> actually a 16-year-old girl; "Kayla" was just a persona used by an
>>>> >> older male hacker who was among those arrested on the same day I was
>>>> >> raided. But I do have plenty of interesting stories about many of
>>>> >> those people, and a couple of others, such as David Fein (NoPants)
>>>> >> and
>>>> >> Commander X, both of whom are "out" under real names and faces, would
>>>> >> be available to do chats and most likely to appear on the show, as
>>>> >> would Jay Liederman, the "Anon lawyer," whom I spoke to about this
>>>> >> the
>>>> >> other day (and who also uses Skype - e-mail is
>>>> >>
jay@leidermandevine.com).
>>>> >>
>>>> >> I'll be available throughout the week if you want to talk via phone
>>>> >> or
>>>> >> Skype; let me know.
>>>> >>
>>>> >>
>>>> >> On Fri, Jul 20, 2012 at 5:08 AM, Christine Yoon
>>>> >> <
siege.yoon@gmail.com>
>>>> >> wrote:
>>>> >> > Barrett -
>>>> >> >
>>>> >> > Thanks for the update. Sorry if I was overstating the obvious in
>>>> >> > my
>>>> >> > earlier
>>>> >> > email - you might find later that it's a habit of mine. :P I'm
>>>> >> > glad to
>>>> >> > hear
>>>> >> > that the Boston warehouse thing seems to be moving forward! As
>>>> >> > long as
>>>> >> > I
>>>> >> > know where that stands by the beginning of August, I'll know how to
>>>> >> > frame it
>>>> >> > during the pitch. And as soon as you have anyone who might be
>>>> >> > living
>>>> >> > there
>>>> >> > who's definitely in, shoot me their contact info!
>>>> >> >
>>>> >> > Speaking of people who might participate, Jonathan Farley seems
>>>> >> > like an
>>>> >> > awesome addition. Does he happen to be based in Boston as well?
>>>> >> > How
>>>> >> > long
>>>> >> > have ya'll been in contact?
>>>> >> >
>>>> >> > If you can get the hunting video or any other more social,
>>>> >> > off-the-cuff
>>>> >> > footage to me by this weekend, it'll be *really* helpful. Anything
>>>> >> > where
>>>> >> > your demeanor is something other than "informative." Otherwise,
>>>> >> > I'd
>>>> >> > like to
>>>> >> > perhaps start collecting any photos that might be described as
>>>> >> > "surprising."
>>>> >> > I'd also want to jump on Skype with anyone who'd be willing to tell
>>>> >> > some
>>>> >> > colorful Barrett anecdotes this weekend, hopefully Saturday
>>>> >> > afternoon/evening. This weekend's Skype material would be for
>>>> >> > pitch
>>>> >> > purposes only - no one involved would have to participate in the
>>>> >> > actual
>>>> >> > show. I really want Jenna to be one of those people... anyone else
>>>> >> > you
>>>> >> > could recommend would also be appreciated. Does your mom have Skype
>>>> >> > capabilities?
>>>> >> >
>>>> >> > (I'll also want to do one of these with you, but it might wait till
>>>> >> > the
>>>> >> > middle of next week.)
>>>> >> >
>>>> >> > I understand that you may be in the process of writing a book about
>>>> >> > your
>>>> >> > Anonymous stint. I just had a thought that we could use your
>>>> >> > writing as
>>>> >> > a
>>>> >> > way of framing each episode - very spur-of-the-moment example here,
>>>> >> > but
>>>> >> > let's imagine that each episode of the show would correspond to a
>>>> >> > chapter of
>>>> >> > the book. So you might have an HBGary chapter, in which you a)
>>>> >> > talk to
>>>> >> > folks on the street about the incident; b) interview/reminisce with
>>>> >> > someone
>>>> >> > else who participated or was close to the action; c) try to track
>>>> >> > down
>>>> >> > Aaron
>>>> >> > Barr and get some face time with him. You'd have a much better
>>>> >> > idea of
>>>> >> > how
>>>> >> > to break down chapters than I would, but I would think that there
>>>> >> > might
>>>> >> > also
>>>> >> > be chapters involving "the other McCain," Sabu, OpCartel, some of
>>>> >> > the
>>>> >> > more
>>>> >> > unusual and unexpected members of Anonymous (you mention a 16 year
>>>> >> > old
>>>> >> > girl
>>>> >> > in the Isikoff interview), etc. We'd open and close each episode
>>>> >> > with
>>>> >> > you
>>>> >> > addressing the audience, and narration written by you would appear
>>>> >> > throughout. I don't know whether this actually corresponds to your
>>>> >> > writing,
>>>> >> > or whether it even has to, but I'm just curious to see what you'd
>>>> >> > think
>>>> >> > of
>>>> >> > that sort of structure. (It may be that your upcoming project will
>>>> >> > take
>>>> >> > care of this structure element for us, but for however long we
>>>> >> > aren't
>>>> >> > able
>>>> >> > to share information about it, I need to have some other structure
>>>> >> > to
>>>> >> > suggest in its place.)
>>>> >> >
>>>> >> > Also, if you have any thoughts for show titles, I'd love to hear
>>>> >> > them.
>>>> >> > The
>>>> >> > shorter, the better - "Hacktivist" is my working title for now, but
>>>> >> > I
>>>> >> > don't
>>>> >> > feel like it covers everything.
>>>> >> >
>>>> >> > Let me know ASAP which folks I can interview this weekend!
>>>> >> >
>>>> >> >
>>>> >> >
>>>> >> > On Wed, Jul 18, 2012 at 3:37 PM, Barrett Brown
>>>> >> > <
barriticus@gmail.com>
>>>> >> > wrote:
>>>> >> >>
>>>> >> >> Christine-
>>>> >> >>
>>>> >> >> Absolutely understand about the narrative necessities of the
>>>> >> >> format
>>>> >> >> from your standpoint, and will of course cater to those as needed.
>>>> >> >> Regarding specifics:
>>>> >> >>
>>>> >> >> 1. From the standpoint of any show that does come out of this, the
>>>> >> >> project I mentioned is simply something new I'll be doing in
>>>> >> >> cooperation with various other figures that will put me "in
>>>> >> >> motion" in
>>>> >> >> terms of my actual activity, and thus potentially leading to
>>>> >> >> incidents
>>>> >> >> and conversations and all that which might be helpful to the
>>>> >> >> series.
>>>> >> >> It will take a while to implement fully, which is to say that it
>>>> >> >> will
>>>> >> >> be an ongoing matter. Whether or not the production team would
>>>> >> >> find it
>>>> >> >> interesting for the purposes of the show is of course up to them,
>>>> >> >> and
>>>> >> >> I'll let you know when we've created the video presentation for it
>>>> >> >> (presumably before September), at which point you and they can
>>>> >> >> better
>>>> >> >> make any such decision. It will be very much ongoing; from your
>>>> >> >> end, I
>>>> >> >> would simply think of it at this point as a possible arc for the
>>>> >> >> first
>>>> >> >> season - and if it succeeds to the extent we think it might, then
>>>> >> >> perhaps it might form additional background material for any
>>>> >> >> further
>>>> >> >> seasons.
>>>> >> >>
>>>> >> >> 2. Understood about potential complications of the warehouse. I do
>>>> >> >> think it's a go at this early point, and if it is, we can either
>>>> >> >> film
>>>> >> >> there or not depending on whether the other participants are
>>>> >> >> willing
>>>> >> >> to sign. I've already mentioned this pitch to a couple of them,
>>>> >> >> including David, and they seem to be positive on that, so it might
>>>> >> >> work out. I'll keep you appraised.
>>>> >> >>
>>>> >> >> 3. There are indeed a few other figures here and there who'd I
>>>> >> >> count
>>>> >> >> as interesting antagonists, including the conservative pundit
>>>> >> >> Robert
>>>> >> >> Stacy McCain. We have a years-old feud in which I've made a point
>>>> >> >> of
>>>> >> >> writing about his ties to white nationalist groups as well as an
>>>> >> >> incident in which he spurred on various threats to a black
>>>> >> >> mathematician and HuffPo contributor named Jonathan Farley (who
>>>> >> >> also
>>>> >> >> might be a good onscreen ally), who himself had gotten on the
>>>> >> >> wrong
>>>> >> >> side of pro-Confederate groups by way of a newspaper column he
>>>> >> >> wrote
>>>> >> >> and ended up fleeing north out of safety concerns. McCain sort of
>>>> >> >> renewed the conflict when I started being covered in connection to
>>>> >> >> Anon, calling for FBI to investigate me since about March of 2011
>>>> >> >> and,
>>>> >> >> more recently, openly hinting that I myself am an FBI cooperator
>>>> >> >> who
>>>> >> >> took down Lulzsec (which he almost certainly doesn't believe).
>>>> >> >> Beyond
>>>> >> >> that, there a few other individuals connected to Tom Ryan, Barr,
>>>> >> >> etc,
>>>> >> >> who have also come at me in interesting ways, although they now
>>>> >> >> seem
>>>> >> >> to be mostly fighting among themselves.
>>>> >> >>
>>>> >> >> 4. No one knows exactly what Sabu is doing now, although it's
>>>> >> >> widely
>>>> >> >> suspected that he's still under some sort of obligation to the FBI
>>>> >> >> to
>>>> >> >> continue to operate against various individuals on "our side."
>>>> >> >> He's
>>>> >> >> something of a ghost now.
>>>> >> >>
>>>> >> >> 5. I'll leave Jenna's inclusion up to your discretion. I have a
>>>> >> >> historically chaotic romantic life for a number of reasons, but it
>>>> >> >> looks to me as if she and I will be together for a while, and as
>>>> >> >> of
>>>> >> >> now, she functions as my confidant. She's never been in the public
>>>> >> >> eye, but she knows about this and is willing to be on-camera if
>>>> >> >> that
>>>> >> >> would be helpful. She's just an option in terms of "characters"
>>>> >> >> who
>>>> >> >> will respond emotionally.
>>>> >> >>
>>>> >> >> 6. My mom knows I'm working on this with you, and could perhaps be
>>>> >> >> persuaded to, say, have dinner with me on camera. What we can
>>>> >> >> absolutely count on is e-mails and Gmail chat messages from her on
>>>> >> >> any
>>>> >> >> occasion on which I do anything at all that she would have prefer
>>>> >> >> I
>>>> >> >> had handled differently. She's also someone whose reactions, even
>>>> >> >> if
>>>> >> >> they do emanate from Texas while I'm in Boston, would play into my
>>>> >> >> on-screen life.
>>>> >> >>
>>>> >> >> 7. I haven't talked to Mirna in a while, but perhaps she'll be
>>>> >> >> interested in participating since she's running a booking agency
>>>> >> >> in
>>>> >> >> Austin now and could probably benefit from any publicity. I'll ask
>>>> >> >> her.
>>>> >> >>
>>>> >> >> 8. There isn't any video of me actually talking in the bathtub
>>>> >> >> with
>>>> >> >> original audio; someone just made short clip of it that's now on
>>>> >> >> YouTube, and which Gawker likes to link to. As for hunting, I
>>>> >> >> suppose
>>>> >> >> something could be arranged.
>>>> >> >>
>>>> >> >> On Tue, Jul 17, 2012 at 12:58 PM, Christine Yoon
>>>> >> >> <
siege.yoon@gmail.com>
>>>> >> >> wrote:
>>>> >> >> > Yo - started writing to you when you first wrote re: David
>>>> >> >> > House.
>>>> >> >> > The
>>>> >> >> > prospect of the activist warehouse is enticing, but it seems a
>>>> >> >> > little
>>>> >> >> > ephemeral at this stage. Until we know that it's a go, and that
>>>> >> >> > pretty
>>>> >> >> > much
>>>> >> >> > everyone who would be living there would be OK with being
>>>> >> >> > filmed, I
>>>> >> >> > won't
>>>> >> >> > mention it to the pitch committee. I think we are in good shape
>>>> >> >> > without
>>>> >> >> > it,
>>>> >> >> > though - I don't think the lack of warehouse will weaken the
>>>> >> >> > show.
>>>> >> >> > (If
>>>> >> >> > it
>>>> >> >> > is a go, I will need to have statements and bios from everyone
>>>> >> >> > who
>>>> >> >> > wants
>>>> >> >> > to
>>>> >> >> > participate by the beginning of August.)
>>>> >> >> >
>>>> >> >> > If the warehouse thing does happen, and if you think the
>>>> >> >> > "unprecedented"
>>>> >> >> > project is a go, I'd love to hear more about that. I imagine
>>>> >> >> > there
>>>> >> >> > won't be
>>>> >> >> > all that much for you to share, if you are hoping to maintain
>>>> >> >> > some
>>>> >> >> > element
>>>> >> >> > of surprise, but what would matter to me most is the projected
>>>> >> >> > timeframe
>>>> >> >> > of
>>>> >> >> > that project. The odds of our being able to shoot anything
>>>> >> >> > before
>>>> >> >> > September
>>>> >> >> > are low, so if it's slated for before then, we'll likely miss
>>>> >> >> > it.
>>>> >> >> > And
>>>> >> >> > if
>>>> >> >> > it's a long-term thing, I'd like to have an idea of how long it
>>>> >> >> > might
>>>> >> >> > last,
>>>> >> >> > just so I know whether to frame it as a season-long thing or
>>>> >> >> > perhaps
>>>> >> >> > just a
>>>> >> >> > one-episode arc.
>>>> >> >> >
>>>> >> >> > I was glad to receive the adventure bio. It's really densely
>>>> >> >> > packed
>>>> >> >> > - I
>>>> >> >> > am
>>>> >> >> > going to need to read through it a few times before I isolate
>>>> >> >> > more
>>>> >> >> > elements
>>>> >> >> > that I want to focus on. The things that initially jumped out
>>>> >> >> > at me:
>>>> >> >> >
>>>> >> >> > - Aaron Barr, Jennifer Emick, Thomas Ryan, Ron Moore - It's
>>>> >> >> > great,
>>>> >> >> > from
>>>> >> >> > my
>>>> >> >> > perspective, that you have these foes, especially in that they
>>>> >> >> > are
>>>> >> >> > individual people, rather than abstract corporations. Are there
>>>> >> >> > other
>>>> >> >> > public figures that you feel merit a mention in your
>>>> >> >> > antagonist/nemesis
>>>> >> >> > category? (I know you are focused on security issues now, but
>>>> >> >> > I'd
>>>> >> >> > also
>>>> >> >> > love
>>>> >> >> > to hear about feuds outside of that realm, say, with the
>>>> >> >> > Scientologists
>>>> >> >> > or
>>>> >> >> > any other religious folks.)
>>>> >> >> >
>>>> >> >> > - Sabu. Is anyone still in contact with him?
>>>> >> >> >
>>>> >> >> > - Jenna - Has Jenna ever been in the public eye? Have you
>>>> >> >> > talked to
>>>> >> >> > her
>>>> >> >> > much about the prospect of being on the show? From what you've
>>>> >> >> > told
>>>> >> >> > me
>>>> >> >> > about her, I think she would be great, particularly since she
>>>> >> >> > understands
>>>> >> >> > your work... but I am a little wary of positioning her as a
>>>> >> >> > full-on
>>>> >> >> > cast
>>>> >> >> > member, since a) I'm not sure to what extent she would be
>>>> >> >> > willing to
>>>> >> >> > be
>>>> >> >> > involved, and b) correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like your
>>>> >> >> > romantic
>>>> >> >> > relationship is somewhat recent.
>>>> >> >> >
>>>> >> >> > - Karen - Frankly, Karen would be an ideal regular element of
>>>> >> >> > the
>>>> >> >> > show.
>>>> >> >> > Have you mentioned it to her at all? I understand that if you
>>>> >> >> > were
>>>> >> >> > to
>>>> >> >> > move
>>>> >> >> > to Boston, she'd be out of filming range, but if you're in Texas
>>>> >> >> > at
>>>> >> >> > any
>>>> >> >> > point, it would be amazing to have direct face-to-face time
>>>> >> >> > between
>>>> >> >> > the
>>>> >> >> > two
>>>> >> >> > of you. Let me know how you feel about this. I completely
>>>> >> >> > understand
>>>> >> >> > if
>>>> >> >> > you'd like to keep your family out of the spotlight. But
>>>> >> >> > knowing
>>>> >> >> > Authentic
>>>> >> >> > as I do, I know that her on-screen involvement would make a huge
>>>> >> >> > difference.
>>>> >> >> > No one will care more about your exploits than she will... and
>>>> >> >> > that
>>>> >> >> > will
>>>> >> >> > translate powerfully on screen.
>>>> >> >> >
>>>> >> >> > (I've mentioned her before, and I don't want to seem repetitive,
>>>> >> >> > but
>>>> >> >> > I
>>>> >> >> > wonder how you feel about Mirna. I feel more confident pitching
>>>> >> >> > Mirna
>>>> >> >> > than
>>>> >> >> > Jenna, perhaps because I've met her face to face, but also
>>>> >> >> > because I
>>>> >> >> > know
>>>> >> >> > that you have a decade, at least, of history together, and she
>>>> >> >> > knows
>>>> >> >> > what to
>>>> >> >> > expect around you. I also think that her law background could
>>>> >> >> > provide
>>>> >> >> > an
>>>> >> >> > interesting angle on or counterpoint to the hacktivist
>>>> >> >> > perspective.
>>>> >> >> > Just
>>>> >> >> > let me know if you'd be interested/willing to include her. FYI,
>>>> >> >> > I
>>>> >> >> > will
>>>> >> >> > probably ask her for a skype interview just for the purpose of
>>>> >> >> > the
>>>> >> >> > pitch
>>>> >> >> > video, regardless of whether or not she's in the show. I just
>>>> >> >> > need a
>>>> >> >> > few
>>>> >> >> > quick sound bytes of people describing you.)
>>>> >> >> >
>>>> >> >> > I've gone through a lot of articles and video this weekend, and
>>>> >> >> > I am
>>>> >> >> > really
>>>> >> >> > happy with what I've found so far. I'm listening to your
>>>> >> >> > conversation
>>>> >> >> > with
>>>> >> >> > Aaron Barr now, and I'll be going through the Russia Today
>>>> >> >> > videos
>>>> >> >> > over
>>>> >> >> > the
>>>> >> >> > next few days. All of the video I have, though, centers around
>>>> >> >> > political
>>>> >> >> > talk. I wasn't able to find any bathtub videos that included
>>>> >> >> > your
>>>> >> >> > native
>>>> >> >> > audio, for some reason. If you are able to get that hunting
>>>> >> >> > video to
>>>> >> >> > me,
>>>> >> >> > let me know. I'm just dying for anything that's spontaneous and
>>>> >> >> > not
>>>> >> >> > fully
>>>> >> >> > geared towards activism.
>>>> >> >> >
>>>> >> >> > By the way, I wasn't thinking of hunting as a regular element of
>>>> >> >> > the
>>>> >> >> > show -
>>>> >> >> > just mentioned it as a way of expressing your personality
>>>> >> >> > outside of
>>>> >> >> > the
>>>> >> >> > internet realm. Which brings me to my most important point - as
>>>> >> >> > you're
>>>> >> >> > drafting your mission statement and thoughts on the show, keep
>>>> >> >> > in
>>>> >> >> > mind
>>>> >> >> > that
>>>> >> >> > Authentic produces reality TV, not investigative journalism.
>>>> >> >> > The
>>>> >> >> > best
>>>> >> >> > way I
>>>> >> >> > can think to differentiate the two right now is to emphasize
>>>> >> >> > that
>>>> >> >> > reality TV
>>>> >> >> > is about characters, first and foremost, whereas journalism is
>>>> >> >> > more
>>>> >> >> > about
>>>> >> >> > objective facts, demonstrable trends, history, etc. To win this
>>>> >> >> > pitch,
>>>> >> >> > we
>>>> >> >> > have to position this as a show about the people, especially
>>>> >> >> > you, who
>>>> >> >> > take
>>>> >> >> > it upon themselves to pursue whatever it is you choose to pursue
>>>> >> >> > (transparency, justice? You'd know best how to phrase it). We
>>>> >> >> > want
>>>> >> >> > to
>>>> >> >> > highlight what choices you'll make in your individual lives to
>>>> >> >> > achieve
>>>> >> >> > those
>>>> >> >> > goals, and what the personal consequences to you and your foes
>>>> >> >> > are,
>>>> >> >> > whether
>>>> >> >> > you do or don't succeed. A lot of the details of your work
>>>> >> >> > won't
>>>> >> >> > translate
>>>> >> >> > to this format unless we can humanize them - hacking HBGary's
>>>> >> >> > emails
>>>> >> >> > is
>>>> >> >> > a
>>>> >> >> > remarkable feat, but hacking HBGary's emails thanks to Aaron
>>>> >> >> > Barr's
>>>> >> >> > careless
>>>> >> >> > password management and causing Aaron Barr to resign - that's a
>>>> >> >> > feat
>>>> >> >> > with a
>>>> >> >> > face attached - something that anyone, regardless of background,
>>>> >> >> > can
>>>> >> >> > relate
>>>> >> >> > to.
>>>> >> >> >
>>>> >> >> > I know you want to raise awareness for your work. It seems to
>>>> >> >> > me
>>>> >> >> > that
>>>> >> >> > you'll have to approach this show as a way of driving Internet
>>>> >> >> > traffic
>>>> >> >> > to
>>>> >> >> > your various sites. It will be difficult to convey a lot of the
>>>> >> >> > details
>>>> >> >> > of
>>>> >> >> > your work on screen, and honestly, most of it's probably easier
>>>> >> >> > to
>>>> >> >> > understand in written form. As I see it, what the show should
>>>> >> >> > do is
>>>> >> >> > demonstrate that a) you are focused on issues that affect real
>>>> >> >> > people;
>>>> >> >> > b)
>>>> >> >> > you, Barrett, do whatever it takes to affect a change; c) if you
>>>> >> >> > can,
>>>> >> >> > anyone
>>>> >> >> > can. Forgive me if any of that sounds trite - in terms of
>>>> >> >> > sleep, my
>>>> >> >> > 10
>>>> >> >> > AM
>>>> >> >> > is like most people's 5 AM - but I hope you see what I'm getting
>>>> >> >> > at
>>>> >> >> > here. I
>>>> >> >> > want to portray you candidly as a person who's achieved
>>>> >> >> > international
>>>> >> >> > awareness through the power of his own determination, and in
>>>> >> >> > spite of
>>>> >> >> > the
>>>> >> >> > obstacles of social status and chemical dependency that may have
>>>> >> >> > stood
>>>> >> >> > in
>>>> >> >> > his way.
>>>> >> >> >
>>>> >> >> > On Mon, Jul 16, 2012 at 1:29 PM, Barrett Brown
>>>> >> >> > <
barriticus@gmail.com>
>>>> >> >> > wrote:
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >> Finally got the damn internet to work again. Below find the
>>>> >> >> >> adventure
>>>> >> >> >> bio up to my March 6th raid by FBI, followed by brief
>>>> >> >> >> descriptions
>>>> >> >> >> of
>>>> >> >> >> two characters (mom and gf) who would be coming up most
>>>> >> >> >> consistently
>>>> >> >> >> (gf especially since she lives with me and is involved in
>>>> >> >> >> Anon);
>>>> >> >> >> there
>>>> >> >> >> are quite a few more people with whom I interact on Skype,
>>>> >> >> >> Next
>>>> >> >> >> thing
>>>> >> >> >> I'll get you is draft of mission statement regarding how I can
>>>> >> >> >> expect
>>>> >> >> >> to provide content that's both interesting/entertaining and
>>>> >> >> >> uniquely
>>>> >> >> >> informative re: both the "new activism" and the
>>>> >> >> >> cyber-industrial
>>>> >> >> >> issues that motivate me, my group, and other activists I work
>>>> >> >> >> with.
>>>> >> >> >> Will also include ideas on how a few things that do occur on
>>>> >> >> >> the
>>>> >> >> >> text-driven internet can be "brought to life" a bit when
>>>> >> >> >> warranted.
>>>> >> >> >> As
>>>> >> >> >> a preview, I should note that I enjoy going out drinking, and I
>>>> >> >> >> also
>>>> >> >> >> enjoy giving my little lectures on government and activism to
>>>> >> >> >> patrons
>>>> >> >> >> and bartenders alike. The bartenders at The Quarter, the bar
>>>> >> >> >> next to
>>>> >> >> >> my apartment, would thus be a good venue by which to accomplish
>>>> >> >> >> any
>>>> >> >> >> "man on the street" sort of thing while giving it a twist.
>>>> >> >> >> Hunting,
>>>> >> >> >> as
>>>> >> >> >> you mention, is also a possibility; will think a bit more on
>>>> >> >> >> that
>>>> >> >> >> and
>>>> >> >> >> other options by which to facilitate some variation. I'll need
>>>> >> >> >> to
>>>> >> >> >> make
>>>> >> >> >> certain that David House is indeed set on this "activist
>>>> >> >> >> warehouse"
>>>> >> >> >> idea, in which case there'll be quite a bit more to work with
>>>> >> >> >> on all
>>>> >> >> >> fronts; will plan to talk to him in next day or so to find out
>>>> >> >> >> where
>>>> >> >> >> we are on that.
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >> Also, here's a video clip in which I talk to former HBGary
>>>> >> >> >> Federal
>>>> >> >> >> CEO
>>>> >> >> >> Aaron Barr shortly after the 2011 hack:
>>>> >> >> >>
http://www.mediafire.com/?7vb98xu7cobcif2
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >> Barr has been an ongoing foe of mine, and just tweeted
>>>> >> >> >> something
>>>> >> >> >> about
>>>> >> >> >> me to another fellow, "Hubris," an ex-military hacker who
>>>> >> >> >> helped run
>>>> >> >> >> the group "Backtrace Security" which in turn secretly
>>>> >> >> >> contracted
>>>> >> >> >> with
>>>> >> >> >> HBGary to identify and locate the individuals responsible for
>>>> >> >> >> the
>>>> >> >> >> hack, as well as to find something to "get [me] picked up on."
>>>> >> >> >> This
>>>> >> >> >> has only been confirmed due to a hack on e-mail accounts
>>>> >> >> >> belonging
>>>> >> >> >> to
>>>> >> >> >> Backtrace's other founder, Jennifer Emick, by a group called
>>>> >> >> >> UGNazi
>>>> >> >> >> (several members of which were soon afterwards arrested); the
>>>> >> >> >> e-mails
>>>> >> >> >> released also show that Emick, a former Anon, was indeed
>>>> >> >> >> serving as
>>>> >> >> >> an
>>>> >> >> >> FBI informant at the same time that she and her partners at
>>>> >> >> >> Backtrace
>>>> >> >> >> were working for HBGary. More recently, Hubris and Emick got in
>>>> >> >> >> some
>>>> >> >> >> sort of ridiculous fight that's resulted in Hubris confirming
>>>> >> >> >> other
>>>> >> >> >> details and releasing documents that shed more light on all of
>>>> >> >> >> this.
>>>> >> >> >> Only a few elements are worth noting at any point in the
>>>> >> >> >> series, but
>>>> >> >> >> anyway Barr and another contractor named Thomas Ryan are both
>>>> >> >> >> interesting enemy figures that also happen to be involved in a
>>>> >> >> >> couple
>>>> >> >> >> of the methodologies/capabilities that Project PM works to
>>>> >> >> >> document
>>>> >> >> >> and expose.
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >> For more on Tom Ryan see this
>>>> >> >> >>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Sage
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >> And for more on Tom Ryan and Aaron Barr's known cooperation
>>>> >> >> >> against
>>>> >> >> >> Occupy Wall Street, see this:
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >>
http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/aaron-barrs-strange-trip-occupy-wall-street-102111
>>>> >> >> >> and this (
http://gawker.com/5850054/). Barr himself was fired
>>>> >> >> >> from
>>>> >> >> >> the
>>>> >> >> >> job he took after resigning from HBGary because he spent too
>>>> >> >> >> much
>>>> >> >> >> time
>>>> >> >> >> on Anonymous, as noted by his former boss here:
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >>
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/20/aaron-barr-cybersecurity-anonymous-occupy-wall-street_n_1219328.html
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >> Adventure Bio:
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >> 1981: Born to Robert Brown and Karen Lancaster in Dallas.
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >> 1986 - 1987: Robert, who had made millions in real estate
>>>> >> >> >> projects,
>>>> >> >> >> is
>>>> >> >> >> investigated and then indicted by FBI for alleged participation
>>>> >> >> >> in
>>>> >> >> >> land-flipping. Hes eventually found not guilty, but legal
>>>> >> >> >> bills
>>>> >> >> >> combined with economic downturn and exuberant spending habits
>>>> >> >> >> (including big game hunting across Africa and elsewhere) end
>>>> >> >> >> with
>>>> >> >> >> him
>>>> >> >> >> losing everything. Parents divorce, Barrett and Karen move into
>>>> >> >> >> grandmothers apartment.
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >> 1998: Barrett, who had just barely escaped being expelled from
>>>> >> >> >> school
>>>> >> >> >> after being caught sleeping in girls hotel room on school
>>>> >> >> >> trip,
>>>> >> >> >> decides to skip last two years of high school and goes to Dar
>>>> >> >> >> es
>>>> >> >> >> Salaam, Tanzania with father and several ex-military men, and a
>>>> >> >> >> Dallas
>>>> >> >> >> financier who funded the operation, which was intended to
>>>> >> >> >> establish
>>>> >> >> >> several business interests in the country, starting with
>>>> >> >> >> lumber.
>>>> >> >> >> Barrett learned basic Swahili from books and tapes beforehand
>>>> >> >> >> in
>>>> >> >> >> order to serve as translator when needed. Various bizarre
>>>> >> >> >> conflicts
>>>> >> >> >> arise among crew members due to lack of payment and other
>>>> >> >> >> matters,
>>>> >> >> >> eventually leading to everyones passports being held from them
>>>> >> >> >> by
>>>> >> >> >> director of NASACO (National Shipping Company) Ademba Gomba
>>>> >> >> >> until
>>>> >> >> >> intervention by the State Department. Afterwards Barrett is
>>>> >> >> >> flown
>>>> >> >> >> back
>>>> >> >> >> by worried mother, Robert loses his money once again.
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >> 2000: Enters University of Texas to pursue journalism but then
>>>> >> >> >> drops
>>>> >> >> >> out after getting some writing gigs.Still owes UT $2,000
>>>> >> >> >> according
>>>> >> >> >> to
>>>> >> >> >> next 12 years of calls from collections agencies.
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >> 2001 - 2009: Lives mediocre life of freelance writer in Austin,
>>>> >> >> >> Mexico, New York, twice having to work as a furniture mover for
>>>> >> >> >> six-month periods due to lack of gigs. Eventually gets small
>>>> >> >> >> book
>>>> >> >> >> deal, minor reputation as a media critic and political
>>>> >> >> >> commentator.
>>>> >> >> >> Appears on a few media outlets regarding random topics. Gets in
>>>> >> >> >> public
>>>> >> >> >> feuds with various ideological enemies. Struggles with
>>>> >> >> >> addiction to
>>>> >> >> >> heroin.
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >> Early 2010: Establishes Project PM, experimental net-based
>>>> >> >> >> think-tank intended to develop potential new methods for
>>>> >> >> >> taking
>>>> >> >> >> advantage of internet. Recruits participants via Skeptical
>>>> >> >> >> Inquirer
>>>> >> >> >> column and various blogs. Group creates blogging/activism
>>>> >> >> >> platform
>>>> >> >> >> intended to organize crowd-sourced efforts, establishes small
>>>> >> >> >> (but
>>>> >> >> >> only slightly successful) Science Journalism Improvement
>>>> >> >> >> Project to
>>>> >> >> >> partner scientists with journalists, plans crowd-sourced
>>>> >> >> >> African
>>>> >> >> >> Improvement Project, etc. Contacted by Anonymous
>>>> >> >> >> organizer/media
>>>> >> >> >> outreach figure Gregg Housh after writing HuffPo article
>>>> >> >> >> predicting
>>>> >> >> >> that Anonymous will facilitate effective opposition to states.
>>>> >> >> >> Moves
>>>> >> >> >> back to Dallas. Prescribed Suboxone, methadone alternative.
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >> January 2011: Begins working with Anonymous participants to
>>>> >> >> >> assist
>>>> >> >> >> net-driven portion of Tunisia insurgency, promoting OpTunisia,
>>>> >> >> >> writing
>>>> >> >> >> Anonymous press releases. Turns Project PM into venue for
>>>> >> >> >> organizing
>>>> >> >> >> further assistance to North Africans, loses most of original
>>>> >> >> >> participants over concerns about Anonymous legal status.
>>>> >> >> >> Arranges
>>>> >> >> >> pro
>>>> >> >> >> bono legal aid for Anons raided by FBI pursuant to earlier DDOS
>>>> >> >> >> attack
>>>> >> >> >> on Visa, MasterCard, and Paypal over Wikileaks blockade.
>>>> >> >> >> Increasingly
>>>> >> >> >> quoted by journalists on Anonymous and related issues.
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >> February 2011: After HBGary hack reveals Team Themis scandal,
>>>> >> >> >> begins
>>>> >> >> >> conducting investigations into other issues stemming from
>>>> >> >> >> 70,000
>>>> >> >> >> leaked e-mails. Records and distributes phone conversations
>>>> >> >> >> with
>>>> >> >> >> executives at firms in question.
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >> March 2011: Subject of NBC Nightly News segment on Anonymous
>>>> >> >> >> after
>>>> >> >> >> interview conducted at home in course of withdrawals from
>>>> >> >> >> Suboxone.
>>>> >> >> >> Increasingly referred to incorrectly as either official
>>>> >> >> >> spokesman
>>>> >> >> >> or
>>>> >> >> >> leader of movement, prompting hostility from some Anons.
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >> April 2011: Gets back on Suboxone. Publicly quits Anonymous
>>>> >> >> >> after
>>>> >> >> >> a
>>>> >> >> >> much-publicized civil war occurs between channel operators
>>>> >> >> >> within
>>>> >> >> >> Anon server, shift in emphasis away from Arab Spring. Moves
>>>> >> >> >> ongoing
>>>> >> >> >> investigation on cyber-industrial complex to Project PM, which
>>>> >> >> >> establishes Echelon2.org wiki to disseminate info on
>>>> >> >> >> discoveries.
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >> May - July 2011: Further hacks conducted by Anons on firms with
>>>> >> >> >> ties
>>>> >> >> >> to HBGary and Aaron Barr. Several establish Lulzsec group,
>>>> >> >> >> begin
>>>> >> >> >> unprecedented hacking spree against both legitimate and random
>>>> >> >> >> targets, driving massive media coverage. Barrett incorrectly
>>>> >> >> >> tied to
>>>> >> >> >> Lulzsecs activities by several intelligence contracting firms
>>>> >> >> >> and
>>>> >> >> >> media reports despite ambiguous relationship with most of its
>>>> >> >> >> participants. Several Lulzsec members arrested in U.K. and
>>>> >> >> >> U.S.,
>>>> >> >> >> including hacker Sabu, who is quietly turned into FBI asset.
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >> August - September 2011: Project PM work continues. Barrett
>>>> >> >> >> agrees
>>>> >> >> >> to
>>>> >> >> >> serve as co-writer to Gregg Housh on book project, which is
>>>> >> >> >> sold to
>>>> >> >> >> Amazon.
>>>> >> >> >>
>>>> >> >> >> October 2011: After an Anon is subjected to routine Mexican
>>>> >> >> >> Anons
>>>> >> >> >> launch #OpCartel, threatening to release dozens of names of
>>>> >> >> >> Zeta-affiliated individuals taken from stolen government
>>>> >> >> >> e-mails
>>>> >> >> >> unless, before backing off the operatio
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