Pittsburgh belongs to NO/ONE
Digital activist promises accountability
“The devil sometimes speaks the truth.”
When people throw that old saying out, they usually mean it in a “don’t take everything at face value” kind of way.
But when I say “the devil sometimes speaks the truth” today, I mean “sometimes the truth can only come from darkness… because sometimes the truth is dark.”
The reality is, rich and powerful people in Pittsburgh play by a different set of rules. As we’ve seen time and time again, they can do whatever the hell they want, because they’re protected from consequence. Immune to the “justice” system and above accountability.
So I admit, when an enigmatic digital activist—who refers to themselves as “NO/ONE”—offered up a narrative of impending accountability for this protected class… I wanted to believe it. I wanted to believe that this classist social construct we’d all seemingly just accepted could finally be disrupted.
A bit over a week ago, an email landed in my inbox. It contained a video—black text on a white background—promising that “no one is safe in the shadows.”
Now, unfortunately… This isn’t uncommon. Weirdos send through crazy shit—crazy, elaborate shit—more often than you’d think. And, from what I’ve gathered, this email went to every single Pittsburgh news outfit. Only to have them trash it like I probably should have.
But… I didn’t. Because, despite its cringey presentation… I was curious to see how real they might be.
There are places most journalists don’t go—either because they don’t know how, or simply because they know better. Last century, these places were seedy back rooms in sketchy establishments. This century… they’re on the dark web. A place this former hacktivist is comfortable navigating.
There, with true anonymous protection, exists a lot of truth. People can speak freely. In its own way, it’s home to those with protected status… and least in the virtual world. And it was in this world, on a particular dark web forum known for being a hub for hardcore hackers… that I found them. A single post, promising to bring accountability to Pittsburgh, from the username NO/ONE, and featuring the same video.
I made contact. I revealed who I was and how I had gotten there. After verifying I was in fact a reporter, we messaged long enough for me to get a sense of their intentions. A confirmation of sorts that whoever NO/ONE was, meant business.
Were they really going to get the goods on the rich and powerful Yinzers?
Turns out… they’ve already started.
I was given what they called “a preview.” Some of the “evidence” that’ll be shared soon, relating to some pretty big Pittsburgh names.
And—assuming it’s not faked somehow—it is damning. It’s exactly what you think the rich fucks of Pittsburgh might be up to under cover of darkness. NO/ONE has the receipts.
I could tell you what I saw… but then I’d have to lawyer up.
Alternative… you could see for yourself.
NO/ONE gave me access to a website, where this alleged evidence will soon be shared, by way of a terminal command. They said I could share it with you all, if I wanted. So you could see for yourself. Come to your own conclusions.
But would that be crossing an ethical line?
Reality check, right? This material could be faked. It’d be an impressive set of forgeries if so, but it’s not impossible.
But what are the alternatives? Trust that the media will get to the bottom of this? That they’ll genuinely probe into the affairs of the rich and powerful? Trust that the police will investigate… and even if they do, trust that the courts will pursue justice?
I’m not that naïve. Which has brought me to a confronting realization: if the norms and the rules are holding back true accountability, then maybe it is time to find another path.
The dark truth is… we’ve needed someone to break the rules. For a long damn time.
NO/ONE seems willing to.
The website is:
The command to connect is:
terminal connect: accountability
I’d hoped to do some good for my favourite city with this platform, but if I’m being honest… the one thing digging into the real dirt in Pittsburgh has really done is confirm the truth: politicians, the cops, the mainstream media… they’re not interested in holding the powerful to account. We’re being screwed over and nobody will do anything about it. Unless we do first.
So, pay attention to the website. Wait for the drops. Come to your own conclusions.
My conclusion? I hope NO/ONE gets these guys. Whatever that means. Because we have nothing else left.
I’m not NO/ONE.
But I kinda wish I was.