From NoobGuides to #OpKKK: Ethics of Anonymous’ Tactical Technical Communication

ABSTRACT

Tactical technical communication research suggests its application to social justice. However, beyond a general advocacy of anti-institutional activity, de Certeau’s notion of tactics provides no detailed ethical framework for ethically justifying tactics. In acknowledgement of this gap, this article foregrounds the ethical thought of feminist philosopher Adriana Cavarero, particularly her concept of vulnerability, as a supplement for those employing tactics for social justice causes. The authors examine the technical documents produced by the hacktivist collective Anonymous.

KEYWORDS:

• Anonymous
• care
• Cavarero
• ethics
• tactical technical communication

Notes

1. We agree with the philosopher May (2008) in that Foucault’s political thought actually needs some sort of normative ethical presupposition to clarify how various forms of power are ethical.

2. We want to acknowledge our understanding that the original use of the term Twatter carries unfortunate sexualized overtones, even if the use of this term in the context of Twitter seldom seeks such an explicit usage.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jared S. Colton

Jared S. Colton is an assistant professor of technical communication and rhetoric at Utah State University. He has published research on topics such as ethics, social justice in technical communication, pedagogy, disability, and technology and rhetoric.

Steve Holmes

Steve Holmes is an assistant professor of English (digital rhetoric) at George Mason University and codirector of Mason’s Gaming Education and Research Lab (GEAR). He has published research on a variety of topics related to digital rhetoric, including politics, videogames, and software code.

Josephine Walwema

Josephine Walwema is an assistant professor of writing and rhetoric at Oakland University. She has published research on topics related to technical writing, professional writing, as well as rhetoric and digital media.