Taking the Rick (Anonymous v Scientology)

[sudopod]

Twenty years after Never Gonna Give You Up, Rick Astley became an internet phenomenon - and an unlikely weapon against Scientology

Sean Michaels
Wednesday March 19, 2008
guardian.co.uk


It was more than twenty years ago that Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up first topped the charts. "Never gonna say goodbye," he crooned in his surprisingly basso voice - and who knew how right he was.

Today we're in a different century, a different millennium, a very different era than the one that first offered up twerpy, earnest, high-waistbanded Astley. But his song, and its video in particular, have found new life in the time of YouTube. Never Gonna Give You Up is at the centre of one of the internet's hottest memes - and if you haven't already fallen victim, it's only a matter of time.

http://music.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2266526,00.html

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The interview with Mr. Astley about his e-fame and the struggle against Scientology at the end was surprisingly informative, I recommend that you check it out!

[eShirl]

1. let's rec this up for the Rick Rollers who aren't here now to see later. n/t

[eShirl]

6. I'm series!!!!111 n/t

[sudopod]

8. Hugh, even!!!1111 :D nt

[sudopod]

2. Shameless self-promotion

Kick for grate justus!

[eShirl]

3. for great justice!

:D

[Occulus]

4. What you say!!

:D

[sudopod]

5. Someone set us up the bomb!

(how does he always manage to look so damn goofy? :p )

[eShirl]

7. great article btw

Of late, however, rick-rolling has begun to permeate the mainstream. It comes mostly courtesy of Anonymous, a diffuse group of hackers and activists who have declared war on the Church of Scientology in an initiative called Project Chanology. Organised without official leaders or hierarchy, Project Chanology manifests itself in Denial Of Service attacks against Scientologist websites, stupid YouTube videos, and in-person protests at Scientologist centres worldwide.

At recent protests in New York, Washington, London and Seattle, masked protesters held up boomboxes and chanted the Stock Aitken Waterman lyrics which Astley made famous. "Never gonna let you down!" they roared, in a live rick-rolling of the Church of Scientology.

-snip-

But the final word goes to Rick Astley himself. Click here to watch our exclusive interview with Astley. The singer, now 42, has forceful words for Anonymous, Scientologists, and all those who have prolonged the rick-roll phenomenon.

[asdjrocky]

9. You fucker. n/t

[GoneOffShore]

10. But wait - there's more

Here Very interesting.

[Quantess]

11. Project Chanology

I looked it up, and there I found the infamous Tom Cruise Video. I had missed it on YouTube. If anyone wants to see Tom Cruise's infinite kookiness, you can check it out.

[sudopod]

12. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA POW! -- Tom Cruise nt

[Quantess]

14. I don't understand why Rick Astley is their poster boy.

Did he approve? Not that it matters.

[sudopod]

13. I'm such an attention whore

kick!