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

Authors

Jared Sterling Colton, Utah State UniversityFollow
Steve Holmes, George Mason UniversityFollow
Josephine Walwema, Oakland UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Technical Communication Quarterly

Volume

26

Issue

1

Publisher

Taylor & Francis Online

Publication Date

12-7-2016

First Page

59

Last Page

75

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.

Recommended Citation

Colton, J.S.,Holmes, S., & Walwema, J. (2017). From NoobGuides to #OpKKK: Ethics of Anonymous' Tactical Technical Communication. Technical Communication Quarterly, 26(1), 59-75. (Winner of the 2018 Nell Ann Pickett Award for best article in Technical Communication Quarterly.)