节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2012-09-24
难易度:High
关键字:hacker, activist, computer programmer, cult, hacktivism, activism, handle


























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Hi, friends.
Thanks for joining us here at Studio Classroom Worldwide.
My name is Steve.
The Internet is a powerful tool for the advancement of ideas.
It's just chock-full of websites publicizing political platforms, promoting
religious beliefs,
raising environmental concerns and warning against social injustice.
Just about any and every cause you can think of is there.
Now websites have traditionally been passive in that they are just sitting there
waiting for you to visit them.
Well, that's changing.
There's a new method of spreading ideas over the Internet, and it's active.
It's called hacktivism.
Let's find out more about it on page 46.
Hacktivism.
Making voices heard over the Internet.
Hackers are people who have advanced computer skills.
Activists gather like-minded people together to protest unfair laws and
practices or to promote a cause.
Over the last 20 years or so, these two kinds of people have started joining
forces to promote a new kind of Internet-related activism called hacktivism.
The participants, or hacktivists, include computer programmers, artists,
activists and ordinary people.
Instead of using their real names, many hacktivists use handles - combinations
of numerals and letters - that mask their real identities.
Hello, friends.
Thank you so much for joining us here in the studio.
My name is Kaylah.
My name is Ryan.
Friends, you probably own a computer or smartphone, and you probably think you
are safe when you use it.
Well, you might be surprised to find out how easy it is for other people to use
that device.
That's right.
Today we are talking about hacktivism.
Now friends, we're going to talk about this word a lot, so we will define it as
we go.
But to get started, we're going to use this verb, to hack, a lot today.
So Ryan, could you give us a definition of to hack something?
OK. When we're talking about technology, the word "hack" means you are using a
computer or electronic in a way that you are not meant to use it.
OK. So you are "using some sort of system without permission" would be another
way of saying that.
So who are hackers?
Well, we're going to talk about these people because they are making their
voices be heard on the Internet.
That does not mean they're singing!
Thank goodness, no.
But here we see the word "hack" combined with "activist." And we're going to
tell you what that means a little later.
But what does it mean to have your voice be heard?
To have your voice be heard means that your opinion or your thoughts are being
listened to.
Now these people feel that their voice needs to be heard.
But they're special kind of activists, they are hackers.
OK. And "hackers" are people who use computers in the way they are not meant to
be used,
and they usually break into other people's computers or break into websites,
which means they are using them without permission.
So "to hack" is our verb.
And a "hacker" is the person who does that.
Just like you can swim; to swim, that makes you a swimmer.
So that should help you remember.
Today we are talking about very... a very specific group of hackers who have a
voice, and they want to be heard.
OK. Well, all hackers have advanced computer skills, which means they're all
very good with computers.
And activists gather like-minded people together to protest unfair laws and
practices or to promote a cause.
And that is basically our definition of an "activist." That is a person who
believes strongly in something and voices their opinion usually with a group of
people.
Often you see them during marches or putting up banners and posters.
These are activists.
They have a strong opinion.
And they want other people to know their opinion, so they make as much noise or
cause as much trouble sometimes as they can.
Now over the last 20 years or so, these kinds of people have started joining
forces to promote a new kind of Internet-related activism called hacktivism.
All right.
Well, you've heard what activists are.
Well, the word "activism" is when those people are acting, when they are trying
to get their voices heard and they are protesting,
which means they're standing on streets holding signs.
Or in this case, we see it's used to combine with hacking to make hacktivism.
That's right.
Now activism is a very direct way of doing something to promote what you believe
through action.
So you take "hacking" and "activism," put those together and you have
"hacktivism." So who are these people?
OK. These people are called hacktivists.
And they are activists who want to make their voices heard by hacking computers.
And that action is called hacktivism.
OK. So there is our definition of "hacktivism." It is letting your voice be
heard by hacking into a computer system.
Now Ryan, who are these hacktivists?
OK. The participants, or the group of people, includes computer programmers,
artists, activists and ordinary people.
Now the first person on this list was computer programmers.
Now they are definitely an important part of hacking because they are the people
whose job is to produce computer programs.
Yeah. They write computer programs and make the computers do what they want them
to do.
Now instead of using their real names, this group of people they use handles.
Now a "handle" is a name of a person or a group or a place.
So if you're using a handle, you're hiding your true name and true identity.
That's right.
A handle on a computer is a combination of letters and numbers.
And that name would mask, or hide, your real identity.
Now your identity is who you are.
And since hacking is usually illegal, it is important that they hide their real
identities.
OK. And in a few minutes, we'll get to see what these hacktivists actually do.
But first, let's watch the skit.
Unfair! Unfair! No, no no.
No, no no.
Why are you holding that sign?
I'm an activist.
I want to make my voice heard.
Do you want to gather like-minded people?
Yes. I'm an activist.
Do you want to protest unfair laws and promote a cause?
Yes. I'm an activist.
Unfair...
Well, put down your sign and pick up your computer.
What?
Don't be an activist, be a hacktivist.
A hacktivist?
Yes. You can be a hacktivist.
Are you a computer programmer or an artist or an ordinary person?
Yes.
Then participate.
Be a hacktivist.
Participate now.
Oh. Well, uh... OK.
First, I'll put my name.
No... Don't use your real name.
Use a handle.
You mean mask my identity like a cyber criminal?
Don't worry.
You're not using your hacking skills to steal.
Of course not.
You are driven by ideals.
Yes, I'm trying to do good things.
Right.
I want to reveal weaknesses in security systems.
Yes, you can do it.
Protest policies that limit freedom.
Mmhm. Yes, you can.
Draw media attention to certain causes.
Yes. Go, go, go!
Use the computer to advance human rights.
Yes, I will.
But first, I want to check Facebook.
Look at that.