UPL Team Activism FAQ

Hi There.

Here is the UPL Team Activism FAQ, first published on the United Phone Losers website, and later reprinted in the UPL ezine on March 25th, 2002.

Before reading this, keep in mind that the dynamic of UPL Team Activism has changed. Six years ago, I envisioned it as a rag-tag group of hackers and UPL junkies engaging in radical politics. Today, I simply see it as this tiny blog, where I will occasionally post some news stories I find that shows the relationship of technology and politics. It won't be anything too radical, it probably won't be updated often, and it will certainly not be a large part of the United Phone Losers (other than maybe a link to this blog and an explanation of what this all is).

So, this FAQ was written when I had different ideas for Team Activism. But it might be interesting to know the roots of this project. A lot of it is tongue-in-cheek. Also, it is 6 years old. Take it with a grain of salt as you read.

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o What is UPL Team Activism?
o This all sure sounds a lot like cDc Hactivismo...
o Doesn't UPL ever do anything original?
o What are the goals of UPL Team Activism?
o Huh?
o What if I don't agree with the goals of UPL Team Activism? Does that mean I can no o longer read UPL or be a part of the scene?
o Does the presence of UPL Team Activism mean that the UPL zine will be flooded with o political crap?
o Isn't this all a little extreme?
o Can I join UPL Team Activism?
o So if I'm in UPL Team Actvism, I'm part of the UPL group, right?

What is UPL Team Activism?
UPL Team Activism is a group of politically-conscious, socially aware individuals created to coexist with the UPL technology-abuse scene. With the growing fact that hacking is a political act in and of itself, it has become necessary to bring about awareness and promote social justice.

This all sure sounds a lot like cDc Hactivismo...
It does, doesn't it? Although it is eerily similar to Hactivismo, we assure you that at the time of Team Actvism's inception, cDc was not in mind. It was not until the following day that we realized we had sub-consciously stolen yet another group's idea. Oops.

Doesn't UPL ever do anything original?
No. Creativity is unnecessary and therefore counter-productive to the goals of Team Activism.

What are the goals of UPL Team Activism?
As we've stated, our main goal is to spread awareness regarding social justice and civil rights issues, and in this way come up with alternative means to those of the status-quo, and more humane solutions. Through awareness, compassion, direct action, peace, tolerance, and unity, we will be able to liberate ourselves and others.

Huh?
It means we're fucking up THE SYSTEM, d00dz!!!!!11!!!!!~!1!!!1! Disrupting the heirarchial status-quo to create true peace and freedom (no, not corporate freedom - such as the freedom to choose between Coke and Pepsi) through non-violent means.

What if I don't agree with the goals of UPL Team Activism? Does that mean I can no longer read UPL or be a part of the scene?
If you don't agree, fine. We'll think you're a bit naive and you'll lose a lot of Team Actvism's respect, but you're free to participate in the scene and have dumb little arguments with us. However, we find it difficult to imagine how someone can participate within a counter-culture suc as the computer underground without seeing how it relates to everything else. Especially now with those big corporations trying to silence both political actvists and computer advocates (through such means as the RIAA imposing lawsuits against file-sharing, MPAA sucessfully limiting free speech even further, or legislation like the DMCA and similar documents - all this is politics, folks). So, like it or not, if you're involved in the computer underground, you're (perhaps unwillingly) fighting with us. Boy, it sure does suck for you fascist right-wing conservatives to be on our side, doesn't it?

Does the presence of UPL Team Activism mean that the UPL zine will be flooded with political crap?
No. Although there will be a lot more political info within UPL, we'll still have just as much of our normal slop in there to balance out the universe.

Isn't this all a little extreme?
Not if you care at all about who gets to control (or in their case, exploit) your life and the lives of the rest of the world.

Can I join UPL Team Activism?
Yes, in fact you can! If you're a conscious-minded individual who cares about social-justice and making a change, it is possible for you to join. You don't even need to agree with all of our views (however, a good majority is necessary, otherwise what's the purpose of joining?). Just get in contact with linear and after he gets to know you and has a good idea of your views we'll all (not just linear) determine your involvement within Team Activism.

So if I'm in UPL Team Actvism, I'm part of the UPL group, right?
NO! No one is in UPL! There are several staff members, but UPL is not a group. We will not alter our staff list at anyone's suggestion, for any reason. Team Activism is group independent from the UPL zine and website, but acts under the umbrella of the UPL collective. The zine and Team Activism are not the same thing!

We hope this document has answered all your questions. However, any further inqueries you might have can be addressed to activism [at] phonelosers [dot] net