Lasse-Marc Riek

Radiowork: Lasse-Marc Riek and Tobias Schmitt
Speaker: Julia Kümmel, Laura Cisneros, Sebastian Scherer, Bernd Herzogenrath
Production: Deutschlandfunk Kultur 2018
Length: 58'41

For several years, we have been researching the darknet for our project. In our earlier Waldlust project, we primarily used field recordings from the performance location and its surroundings. Following this method, for Darknet Poetry we utilized found material from the parallel world of the internet.

The darknet is often depicted in the media as a domain of evil and the abnormal. However, in a world of election-influencing social bots, whistleblowing, Edward Snowden, the NSA, and censorship in authoritarian regimes, it is important not to stigmatize encrypted, free access to the internet. In Darknet Poetry, we explore and contrast the many facets of this virtual grey area.

We approached the project from two angles: on the one hand, we actively searched the darknet, and on the other, we built bots—small programs that autonomously performed specific tasks on the internet and collected material for us. This gathered content was then reviewed, categorized, and sorted based on both content and aesthetics, attempting to remain as neutral as possible in our approach.

We used four speakers and text-to-speech software to read a variety of text fragments and blog entries. Additionally, we generated sound from images through a process of sonification, encoded texts, and reinterpreted the resulting material as sound.

The darknet exists within a constant game of ambiguity: What is fake? What is real? Ultimately, it is a place that relies on trust—criminals engage in anonymous transactions with other criminals, hoping to receive something for their bitcoins. This contrasts with the idealism of hackers who challenge authoritarian systems and advocate for unrestricted, barrier-free exchanges on the internet, as well as whistleblowers who expose injustices within the darknet’s protected space.

Half of all darknet content is fraudulent. Special service hackers, often undercover police, lie in wait for someone to engage with certain content, giving them the opportunity to investigate or arrest the individual. If someone shows interest in purchasing larger firearms or hiring mercenaries from Bosnia, for example, authorities might take an interest: Why does this person need six hired killers from Bosnia? The extreme nature of the offers makes it seem as though these services could be delivered straight to your doorstep. And if you really wanted to take such a step, there are forums that tell you exactly where to find what you’re looking for.

In Darknet Poetry, the more frightening elements are heavily encrypted, but there's still a range of sinister services available—from credit card theft to fake residence permits. The most troubling offerings involve human services. Robotic voices in the piece mention buzzwords like "social engineering." You could hire someone to terrorize your neighbor—truly a cabinet of horrors.

The piece opens with a mention of a USB stick. This comes from someone who ordered one on a forum, explaining how it works. These killer sticks are used to destroy computers. They appear harmless, labeled with things like "Photos-Holiday-Rügen," but they contain a code that connects to a computer, attempting to overheat and destroy it. People leave these sticks on the street, waiting for someone to pick them up, thinking they’ve found free storage.

On the other hand, the darknet is also a tool for people to access otherwise restricted information—materials that political powers don’t want to be shared. It provides platforms for document sharing, whistleblowing, and truthful reporting, allowing people to access information otherwise kept under lock and key. Finding this content requires different strategies depending on the issue. Searching the darknet is, in essence, about hiding from those who wish to monitor you. In our case, it's not just about looking—it's about listening.

Project via Deutschlandfunk Kultur