Cult of the Dead Cow - Change the World, cDc Style
cDc members, including presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke, discuss the group's 35 years of hacktivism and political impact.
Summary
Cult of the Dead Cow: Three Decades of Hacktivism
The Cult of the Dead Cow (cDc), one of the oldest and most influential hacker groups in history, convenes on the DEF CON stage to discuss how they've shaped both hacker culture and political discourse over 35+ years.
Beto O'Rourke's Revelation
The panel includes former Texas congressman and 2020 presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke, whose membership in cDc (under the handle 'Psychedelic Warlord') is publicly acknowledged for the first time in Joseph Menn's book 'Cult of the Dead Cow: How the Original Hacking Supergroup Might Just Save the World.' O'Rourke discusses how his early hacking experiences shaped his views on privacy, government overreach, and technology policy.
Legacy and Impact
cDc members recount founding Back Orifice (the first major remote administration tool that exposed Windows security failures), pioneering hacktivism campaigns targeting authoritarian governments, and launching the Hacktivismo project to develop privacy and circumvention tools for oppressed populations.
Hacker Ethos Meets Politics
The panel reflects on the tension between the hacker community's skepticism of authority and the practical realities of running for office, engaging with government, and advocating for digital rights within existing power structures.
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