Jacqueline Weaver: The CROSS of the JUDAS CURSE · Where two forces meet
Channel: Samizdat
Date: 2020-01-26

Source: https://trackingmeroz.wordpress.com/2020/01/23/the-cross-of-the-judas-curse-where-two-forces-meet/  

"This article is a continuation of a Tracking the Leopard Meroz post published October 17, 2019, titled Playing Us False: The Ventriloquist of Cicada 3301. Under the subtitle Timelines…and their interpretation, I wrote, “Cicada 3301 had three puzzles published sequentially on January 4th of 2012, 2013, and 2014. 

Founder Bruce C. Clarke, the former CIA manager*** (see update January 26, 2020 at end of this article), died on October 5, 2014, in Vienna, Austria. 

The second founder of this puzzle was Ian Murdock, originator of the Debian Project and Linux Systems, who died under suspicious circumstances on December 28, 2015, although it was officially deemed to be a suicide.”

Continue reading on Tracking the Leopard Meroz: https://trackingmeroz.wordpress.com 

Ms. Weaver masterfully synthesizes the timelines of key events to grant us a unique insight into Cicada 3301. 

And she grants me a singular honor by appending my comments on the role played by former CIA official Bruce Cooper Clarke, Jr. to the end of her article. 

This excerpt in particular is vital: 

"How do online puzzle creations affect those  who are drawn into their fictional world? These puzzles are not simply mathematical curiosities, but also the interweaving of religious and legendary motifs into the consciousness of the solver’s mind. One should ponder what establishes the foundation for a sound mind, as compared to an unsound one, because the introduction of false philosophical systems by “gurus” or con artists  often creates confusion and instability in a student who has a gentle soul."

I contributed this:

"Esteban Trujillo has raised the question about whether or not the late CIA manager Bruce Clarke, Jr. was involved in Cicada 3301 as a founder, or at any point in its history.  This is a good question as the sources from which this information was related to me are sometimes misleading or presenting false rumors as fact. In light of numerous falsehoods that have been planted in the public record, Esteban Trujillo is right to advise caution when discussing the history of Cicada 3301.

Here is what Trujillo had to say:

I have a small bone to pick. You mention Bruce Cooper Clarke, Jr. as a “founder” of 3301. There is zero forensic evidence that BCCJr played any role in 3301, or was even aware of it. At his death, he was an 88 year old man, he had been in failing health for many years. There are no indications that he was involved in any internet activities, indeed there is no proof that he even knew how to use a computer. Clarke was an analyst, as he ascended the ranks at CIA he migrated into arms control. He was in the end a bureaucrat, an administrator.
There are no indicators that he was a cypherpunk. I am tracking a report that TS met the old man in Vienna, and I am aware of his claim that Clarke was godfather to his son. There is no proof of it.
There is a 3301 origin story that is pushed by Outtrim that claims that 3301 was founded by a triumvirate of Murdock, TS and Clarke. Until I interviewed gHOST, I was aware of no evidence that Murdock had anything to do with the order. Now I cautiously accept that Murdock was involved, even played a principal role. The details shared by gHOST were persuasive. I published these details on my site.
By comparison, the only evidence that Clarke was involved comes from TS, and I trust nothing that man says. I looked hard into Clarke. There is no proof that he was involved in 3301. There is meager evidence that he met TS in Vienna, probably through an interest in Mozart, though there is also a tale that TS was attempting to sell Mozart memorabilia as historical artifacts to museums and collectors. I am gathering the tendrils of this story.
Thanks for listening!"

Thank you to Ms. Jacqueline Weaver for her kind permission to cite and reproduce her work. We consider it an honor. 

ETdeG.
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