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Barrett Brown, journalist and sometimes-spokesman for Anonymous, discusses the loosely affiliated hacker collective known as Anonymous; contributing to the revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and beyond; the internet’s use as a tool of liberation and of repressive surveillance; the danger of private companies developing software (dubbed “Metal Gear” by Anonymous) to infiltrate and manipulate social networks – especially those used to aid popular revolutions; and how the anti-Ben Bernanke Anonymous campaign serves as a distraction from the group’s core mission.

MP3 here. (26:20)

Barrett Brown is a contributor to Vanity Fair, The Huffington Post, Skeptic, True Slant and The Onion. His work has appeared in dozens of other publications and outlets. He serves as director of communications for Enlighten the Vote, a political action committee dedicated to the advancement of the Establishment Clause. He is the author of Flock of Dodos: Behind Modern Creationism, Intelligent Design and the Easter Bunny and Hot, Fat & Clouded: The Amazing and Amusing Failures of America’s Chattering Class.