As some folks here know, Epik recently acquired the hosting company called Sibyl.Li. It is a great fit for us, as they specialize in high availability, and already host many sites, including Gab.com. We also just became a RIPE member so that we are able to issue IP addresses in our own name.
In the meantime, earlier today, one of Sibyl's legacy IP address suppliers just happened to send the Founder of Sibyl a note indicating that Epik should not be able to use his IP addresses due to differing with my perceived politics. Here was the relevant quote:
Since Epik now has its own IP blocks, we were ahead of the game here. Yet, it is worth noting that the particular conclusion was informed by a Wikipedia article that is likely authored and controlled (camped on) by determined adversaries, from the likes of the Southern Poverty Law Center, and their ilk.
Even though I have pretty thick skin, this is clear evidence of an economic consequence of weaponized propaganda, that was ranked #1 by Google as being an authoritative data point describing my entire body of work. It is also a good illustration of how rigged the system becomes once you peel the layers.
In case not aware, the people who are behind the ongoing attempt to defame me are
not volunteers, but rather are typically salaried personnel whose job it is to defame, unperson, and to otherwise discredit. I believe there are two things this opponent does not like in particular:
1.
They don't like being proven wrong. Transparent Ask-Me-Anything threads like this one expose and document the obvious inconsistency between the portrayed image and the factual reality. The SPLC and others wish to portray me as
hateful when in fact that idea is nonsense and they know it. There is a reason why SPLC is being sued into oblivion, and why propaganda machines like Vice.com need to raise $250 million from the likes of George Soros to stay alive. The people who work there all know the deal. I am quite sure that the eternal price of their soul-selling profession is definitely not worth it.
2.
They don't like people to get too close to the truth. The adversary here would like like to de-platform groups that are lawfully engaged in documenting and sharing their findings. I am not saying that such interests are going to be lucrative or career-enhancing, but for those who view that as their purpose, and are doing it in their right mind, and lawfully, have at it. Epik complies with regulatory and judicial inquiries. If there is a legal judgement against a client, we enforce it, particularly if the client acknowledges they won't appeal the judgement.
Looking back, preservation of lawful free speech on the Internet has been an uphill battle for Epik for nearly 8 months now. If I had to do it all over again, I would still do it in spite of the resulting persecution. Why? The act of standing in the gap allowed new innovators to come forward, and for
new legislation to be put forward. The adversary overreached in their efforts. It was not the first time. It won't be the last. My hope is that when folks see tyranny at work, online or offline, they will have the courage to call it out for what it is, and to endure the resulting episode of tribulation, knowing you did the right thing.
