The following are listed as Camera/Shy’s development teams. There is also a website description for the Cult of the Dead Cow. Interestingly, though the groups claim membership throughout the world, they are headquartered in the US. It’s not clear that any of the hackers have met in person. It is fairly clear, however, that these people mean business. Most of their dealings are probably handled through Internet Relay Chat, e-mail and, of course, their propaganda-riddled websites. They have joined together for a singular mission and fight as one – soldiers for Human Rights in China and elsewhere.
ABOUT HACKTIVISMO
Hacktivismo is a group of international hackers, human rights workers, artists
and others who seek to further the goals of human rights through technology.
They operate under the aegis of the CULT OF THE DEAD COW (cDc). Hacktivismo is
committed to developing technologies in support of the highest standards of
human rights. For more information, please visit
http://hacktivismo.com/.
ABOUT THE CULT OF THE DEAD COW
Based in Lubbock, Texas, the CULT OF THE DEAD COW (cDc) is the most influential
hacking group in the world. The cDc alumni reads like a Who’s Who of hacking and
includes a former Presidential advisor on Internet security, among others. The
group is further distinguished by publishing the longest running e-zine on the
Internet [est. 1984], stretching the limits of the First Amendment, and fighting
anyone or any government that aspires to limit free speech. For more
information, please visit
http://cultdeadcow.com/.
The cDc is different than your average cult in that they don’t necessarily have meetings, but they have a lot of freaky stuff on their website. The team’s introductory bios shed some light on this group, as well as give names to one group of hackers. It’s one thing to say, “yes, people hack into websites.” It’s another to realize that one of these people could be living next door, swearing allegiance to the following statement. Disturbing to say the least.
The hardy followers of our
mystic path have strong backs, quick minds, and loyal hearts. Joining our armed
struggle is not to be taken lightly. They have sworn a blood oath to live by the
tenets and protect the secrets of our ancient Gnostic cabal, as they progress
into 4th dimensional beings of pure light. The only punishment for failure is to
be burned alive! Those who would cross the cloven-hoofed path of Hathor should
fear for their very souls, as retribution is surely swift when She manifests as
the awesome power of DemonSeed Elite!
What follows are short biographical sketches of publicly-known initiates to the
CULT OF THE DEAD COW. Their real names cannot be made public, as doing so would
place them in great mortal danger.
[I am including some of the more interesting ones.]
OXblood Ruffin •
member since April, 1996 • cDc's Foreign Minister
OXblood has roots as a farm boy in
Canada. Bored with plowing,
he soon found his role in the air as a hot-shot cropduster pilot. His passion
for excitement led him to seek an RCAF assignment, but his unfortunate clubfoot
held him back. Undeterred, he found employment flying guns and refugees in the
skies over war-torn Laos and Cambodia until 1975. Returning to his native
Regina, he discovered the battlefield of politics to his liking and began a
string of unsuccessful bids for office. He has since given up his own political
aspirations for the time being but serves as a speech writer for several major
Canadian political figures.
oxblood@cultdeadcow.com
Sir Dystic
• member since May, 1997 • Don't be a statistic, bow down before Sir Dystic!
He is rumored to be the love child of
Seymour Cray and an unknown
showgirl. We found him living in a dumpster with a Palm Pilot, a case of
Astroglide and his latest text file.
sd@cultdeadcow.com
The Deth Vegetable
• member since December, 1990 • Minister of Propaganda.
His past is shady and has only recently been documented. If everything is to
be believed, he has alternately been a Special Forces Commando, Mexican
wrestler, comicbook villain, bodyguard to Mr. T, designer drug manufacturer,
electronics wizard, media whore, and used tire recycler. What is known about him
is that he hates people but adores publicity -- a double edged sword if we've
ever seen one.
veggie@cultdeadcow.com
Omega • member
since February, 1992 • Editor and Ambassador to Samoa.
omega@cultdeadcow.com
Count Zero •
member since February, 1992 • Surgeon General of the cDc.
Count Zero is a man of science. Abandoning a promising career as a
neurologist and cabaret dancer, he joined the cDc as their official Surgeon
General where he performs surgical bio-enhancements on all members to keep them
operating at peak performance during space battles and onstage performances. He
is a hacker of the human brain and a connoisseur of fine
Bordeaux and crunchy
breakfast cereals. Ultimately scorned by the medical establishment for his
radical ideas and flashy jewelry, he operates out of a hidden medical laboratory
beneath the ice cap in Antarctica. When fighting crime, he outfits himself in a
black jumpsuit augmented with bio-mechanical weapons and surgically attached
robotic homunculi. Turn-ons include long walks in the park and sunsets. Zero
fights the good fight, preparing for the future showdown against the evil robots
for the fate of mankind.
count0@cultdeadcow.com
Any name, even an alias, can help ground a person within a certain part of society. This particular community happens to exist solely in cyberspace. They have baffling personas and odd quips. Maybe it’s not that healthy to spend all day in front of a computer screen. It’s one thing to say that a hacktivist does so and so in general, it’s more interesting to place that person in a particular framework.