A dude in a full Fox fursuit is the face behind the string of shutdowns that slowed the nation to a halt. I can see it now, FBI dragging the poor guy out of his room, knocking over models and plushies off his desk as he struggles to get his message out to the public.
That, or a fursuit! There’s definitely a current aesthetic imo, but obviously it’s a generalization that not everyone fits, as has always been the case.
to be fair, while not much of a hacker since the days when you could just open windows and delete the password, most of my casual wardrobe could pass for ‘cozy pyjama party matrix cosplay’.
For those who aren’t familiar - CCC is the chaos computer club, they have lots of talks and events all about tech, politics, intel, hacking/security, etc.
I believe that’s the origin of “tits or GTFO” came from too, a cringey way of saying that they don’t care if your a girl if you say something dumb online. Though predictably it morphed into incel taunts and male chauvinist bullshit once the meaning was lost.
He was on my Southwest flight to LAX in 2001 and there was a palpable buzz among the pax.
Then ran into him while we were waiting for our rides at the white zone, which is for loading and unloading only.
I presented him with a super tacky giant gold coat button I had just found at a payphone as if it was an achievement award, and had a fun quick chat. Lovely and delightful guy.
When I met him, we had some absurd questions during the audience participation part. My friend asked, “suburban Baltimore is such an interesting backdrop for a movie. Both mundane and interesting. As a young black artist in America, I’d like to know what you think about lowriders.”
My other friend had him sign her maxipad wrapper. This friend also happens to be the nice of Patsy from Ab Fab.
Like all of this things listed were cheap and anti-fashion at the time.
Time, maybe for some things but chucking on a pair of docs and a jacket isn’t time consuming, a Mohawk could be but you don’t style them every day. &tc.
Back then and today workwear is where it’s at. Not reflective vest type of workwear, this kind of stuff. Comfy, durable, cut that prioritises function but doesn’t ignore style (maybe unsurprisingly companies like it when their employees have a bit of drip), and unless the company sold out to fashion you’re not paying extra for the brand (unless it’s Engelbert-Strauss which is construction site Gucci. I mean it’s still solid and functional it’s just not worth the premium). Also available without cargo pockets if you insist, look for companies catering more towards service jobs than the trades.
Pretty much only downside is the lack of colour options. Be careful when thinking about dying stuff many synthetics don’t dye well or at all, even when the fabric is pure cotton the thread is definitely polyester. Or even silica.
I still don’t think anyone who’s in the hacktivist scene really gives a shit or at least doesn’t give a shit on whole any more than any other group does.
Let me spend several months trying to identify exploits while siting at my computer but also take the time every day to coordinate a cute outfit…
Punk tends to lean towards modifying what you have with what tools are available, and shopping second-hand. As a bonus, the inherent aesthetic is harder for the fashion industry to co-opt.
For those not in the know, he was a member of a number of New York punk bands in the 70s. Malcolm McLaren nicked his style (along with that of others) and brought it over to England to sell in his clothing store Sex.
Yes please fit into a nice cultural box so you’re easy to profile, entice and hunt
Edit to say you don’t need an age to be an activist. Does hacktivism have an age? Idk I guess younger folks are more likely to do it right now. Maybe hacktivism just needs a democratizing platform. Like enable grandma to ddos
I feel like he’s just lamenting that the youth that are making things happen could make a statement with some distinct fashion. Style has always been important for him so I guess it’s somewhat complaint adjacent, but I get the feeling it’s less like “damn kids today!” and more like “it’d be better if it were this way”.
We’re the black hoodie guy, which is the media aesthetic the way Ninjas are decked in Kabuki black.
Real ninjas look like peasants because they’re covert operatives. Hacktivists look like lower class tech geeks with a band or brand tee (maybe an overworn prized possession like a 1980s Apple tee). The thing is, we willfully choose to look bland, to be not noticed.
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