I just happened to be around when a bunch of Anonymous pushed out a document which has the potential to be rather important in the future. I'm republishing it here because (a) I've already seen people here ask about it and (b) the original was published as a PDF on a file sharing site which doesn't have a search engine. (Update 22JAN2013: @sept31st notified me that the original URL 404ed. PDF link updated.)
Running under the title "What is #AntiShock?" is a document which at first appears to be a draft operations manual for activists but may instead be a dictionary for a network movement. For an Anonymous document, it is uncharacteristically for light on hyperbole and sparse on motivational rhetoric, instead it vaguely describes the "elements" of any social project. "What is #AntiShock" does not tell the reader specifically what to do (except work together for a better world) and it does not make threats. What the document does do is ascribe semi-cryptic twitter hashtags to describe each "element", essentially laying down a linguistic/memetic communication protocol for ad-hoc/network activism.
Below the fold is the entirety of the "What is #AntiShock?" document updated with a few appropriate hyperlinks.
Preview: "#AntiShock maps every problem to a four part model. The best option we have is to learn it as we go... #AntiShock allows us to ask, "What is missing?", "How can I do this?", and "Who can help?" Our only challenge is to find others who can fill in the missing pieces and vice versa. Know what you are good at. Know what you share in talent with others so you can communicate. Find out what they don't know so you can see if you might be able to help and vice versa."
What is #AntiShock?
Short version: Think of it as the cure to the shock doctrine as Naomi Klein put it. To everything there is a history, an actor, an action, and a method. By defining the terms, we define differences. Where there are differences, there is a current. A motion. Where there is movement there is more hope for change than in mere words. #AntiShock is slow careful application of antifreeze to apathy. Apathy is not lack of interest. It is lack of intent. Tragedy and violence put people into a psychological coma. Being active warms the soul. And being able to map where you're going helps you get moving.
Which brings us to the matter of unavoidable disputes among us. There are many who work with their hearts, to whom protesting is the most natural expression of resistance. There are many who work with their minds, who want to know what the most viable solution is. There are many who work with their hands and only trust what they can do consistently. This is human nature.
Not everyone understands protesting as a method of change. Not everyone appreciates taking their time and may view that as hesitation. Not everyone can see the value in what they cannot test themselves. If we are going to progress, we have to accept these inconvenient facts. It is best for all to know themselves and their environment and allow others to choose how they wish to contribute.
Ultimately our most comfortable mode of resistance is not going to be effective if the problem does not have anything to do with our way of solving it. Just be observant of what others have tried and be willing to experiment. There isn't only one way out of this mess because there isn't just one single crime committed.
#AntiShock maps every problem to a four part model. The best option we have is to learn it as we go. We cannot continue asking, "What can we do?" That's a circular question which leads to many falling back to depending on charismatic individuals. #AntiShock allows us to ask, "What is missing?", "How can I do this?", and "Who can help?"
Our only challenge is to find others who can fill in the missing pieces and vice versa. Know what you are good at. Know what you share in talent with others so you can communicate. Find out what they don't know so you can see if you might be able to help and vice versa.
When you achieve small things, the fear of moving on to larger challenges subsides.
#AntiShock Theory
If you work with your mind and your heart find someone who can work with either and also with their hands. The permutations are obvious. Once you make a team you will have more of some talents than others. Focus on ethics, protests, or projects to any extent that you and your team are going to be efficient. Promote your best argument for what you can do and save your critiques for emergencies with complete nutjobs and reckless individuals.
In everything you do, you will have the four elements of #AntiShock:
Context element: What is happening
#OpRadar - raw material, information gathering, brainstorming, history
Independent element: Where it is happening
#OpShield - possible side effects, safety net for bystanders affected
Dominant element: Why you choose to do something
#OpPulse - engaging people and teaching others to experiment with what you know
Focus element: How you intend to do it
#OpShadow - various things you can or need to do make things work
If you ever find yourself stuck, try to work on something in one of the other elements. If you can't find something to write about create a list of feeds and pick a topic others are writing about but bring your own knowledge to the table.
Also #AntiShock elements can be in more than one place. It's not a fixed model. Something that can be used to promote ideas can also be used to protect people.
Reminder: it's not my document, my ideas or my project. I'm just the archivist. Feel free to discuss in the comments but please
direct questions about #AntiShock to @NASDAQEnema.
Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 10:50 PM PT:
Update 22JAN2013