QuQu Leaks, or When Unchecked Media Advocates Devolve into Opportunists
One thing I would want those who pay attention to my activities surrounding GamerGate to get is to always keep an eye on those making a name for themselves. As with any other medium, the internet has provided a means for advocates to make money, but if they are being insincere with their activism then their opinions become worthless.
Yesterday, a bombshell dropped on /ggrevolt/[1], an anonymous image board on Endchan, in which self-appointed leader of the #AltFurry[2], a label I created to help identify furies who would pretend to be of the right (wolves in sheep’s clothing, if you would pardon the pun), only known as “The QuQu” was shown to be discussing methods of narrative control and containment to his peers behind closed doors. These leaks were confirmed by members of the group discussing it on twitter[3]. A full list of members was also provided:
Before reading further, it is important to note that not everyone involved in this group is implicated in some perceived wrongdoing or inaction solely by their presence. Instead, I will be presenting what was said and drawing conclusions based on their own words.
What is interesting here is how QuQu, a supposed free speech advocate, is adamant about not engaging with certain people, including your author, he finds undesirable out of fear of losing money. A common protocol among those with public personas to maintain a public gag order on those considered toxic for branding. This is also the first Rule of Disinformation[4]:
1. Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. Regardless of what you know, don’t discuss it — especially if you are a public figure, news anchor, etc. If it’s not reported, it didn’t happen, and you never have to deal with the issues.
A colleague of mine infamous for publicly humiliating liberals on his youtube channel[5] is brought up in the exchange. Here, QuQu expresses fear his new website, “QuQu-Media”, will be publicly spotlighted. More troubling than gasping at the possibility a blog might get criticized is the implication that myself or my colleague are associated with hackers who might attempt as denial of service attack on the site, a federal offense. This heavily insinuated accusation, to the best of my knowledge, is kept behind closed doors outside of the ears of the public. This is typical of how whisper campaigns are started. From Rules of Disinformation:
3. Create rumor mongers. Avoid discussing issues by describing all charges, regardless of venue or evidence, as mere rumors and wild accusations. Other derogatory terms mutually exclusive of truth may work as well. This method works especially well with a silent press, because the only way the public can learn of the facts are through such “arguable rumors”. If you can associate the material with the Internet, use this fact to certify it a “wild rumor” which can have no basis in fact.
As the exchange continues, it becomes quite clear QuQu and some of his affiliates have been keeping a close eye on me. He again emphasizes how there are certain folk that should not be engaged with, reaffirming there is an attempted black out he is trying to impose upon the group.
In the final parts of the leak, learn this is not QuQu’s inner circle, and that even behind closed doors one needs to be of a higher rank to get the full intel of operations; “Templar Gamer”, “LadyFuzztail”, and “PsychoRobot” being three such individuals privileged to know more. Ironically, he notes how the very DM group in which they discuss these psyops might be compromised.
This has not been the first time QuQu has been caught participating in psy-ops either. Twice in 2015, he secretly networked with #GamerGate thought leaders on how to end the tag[6] and set the narrative for SPJ Airplay, in the first instance playing it off as “trolling”[7] and the second giving a lengthy apology for his admitted misconduct[8]. It must be asked how many times someone can so consistently be caught manipulating events behind the scenes and still expect to be trusted.
Whether or not QuQu or other members of the group will come forward after the leak remains unclear, however I doubt any response will be given by QuQu himself in light of him choosing to block people[9][10] for reasons which are unclear. This is despite him being the owner of a new outlet and even disapproving of blocking others in general in the past:
Sources:
[01] http://archive.is/ZjrXF#selection-1387.0-1409.5
[02] https://tweetsave.com/theququ/status/811978688757698561
[03] https://tweetsave.com/christijunior/status/811696634702741508
[04] http://archive.is/5h8jm
[05] https://www.youtube.com/user/Variloh
[06] http://archive.is/3MO4N
[07] http://archive.is/pPb6Z
[08] http://archive.is/FCp2h
[09] https://tweetsave.com/telstarii/status/811447225926688768
[10] https://tweetsave.com/varilohreturns/status/811556721323864064