FUnetics Revealed exclusive video: An encounter with Zadi

With a little help from FuBoy86, I located Zadi and confronted her at a post office in Los Angeles! Check out my EXCLUSIVE footage recorded yesterday!

Based on what she said at the end of the interview, I'm 99% sure FUnetics is coming back to EPIC-FU! But Zadi didn't seem too happy about it, and she didn't want to tell me on camera -- so I'm still super confused about her role in the organization.

RUMOR ALERT! EPIC-FU investigated by Homeland Security?

Major update! I just received a cryptic message from an anonymous tipster:

Seems like our friends at EPIC-FU have gotten themselves into a bit of hot water with the feds. Their ties to FUnetics were enough to warrant an investigation by Homeland Security. Don't expect any new episodes anytime soon.

This is totally freaking me out. Why is Homeland Security interested in FUnetics, and why would they shut down a harmless web show? Is Zadi in trouble? Maybe this whole thing goes a lot deeper than I imagined.

I'm driving up to L.A. on Monday to get some definitive answers. If any of you have ANY LEADS on the whereabouts of Zadi Diaz, please email me ASAP!!

FUnetics Training Handbook: Level 2 "Propogate"

The second level of FUnetics training is called "Propogate" A.K.A. "Mistakes" or "Collective Accountability."

URL: http://funetics.org
Password: (hidden in episode 101)

Summary: This one's pretty easy. Admit your mistake to Multivac via a comment on the Level 2 page. If you don't fess up, or your comment is off topic, you will receive an error message below your comment (I think it's an error message):

multivac: unaccountable; unescaped fault

Although it isn't explicitly stated, if you receive the error message I'm assuming it means you failed to complete the level requirements. So try again. And just be honest -- you'll breeze right past this one.

No episode in weeks, what's going on?

It's been weeks since the last episode of EPIC-FU. To my knowledge there hasn't been any communication from the EPIC-FU crew about what's going on with the show. No updates on the FUnetics front, either.

Usually they are very communicative. Now they have stopped responding to my emails. I fear the worst.

RUMOR ALERT! Is Zadi Multivac?

I just received an anonymous email with a startling revelation:

Tracy, you won't believe this one! My friend knows one of the producer's of EPIC-FU, and he says Multivac isn't the omnipotent being we're making him out to be. In fact he says Multivac is actually Zadi Diaz herself! Apparently this whole thing is some sort of publicity stunt for a new video game called The Epic Order... or something like that. Crazy huh??

I wasn't able to pull up any information on the game title mentioned, but the idea of Zadi as Multivac makes a lot of sense. It would definitely explain the dual-personalities she exhibits in some of the leaked FUnetics video clips.

Remember folks you heard it here first!

No FUnetics this week? Did they plug the hole?

This is a bit unexpected. No new FUnetics material on EPIC-FU this week. Maybe the FU crew fixed the so-called "technical glitch" that let whatever/whomever hijack the episodes? That would contradict my earlier theory that said there was no glitch, but as many of you know -- I'm very open minded!

I'm still waiting to hear back from the EPIC-FU camp for an official statement.

FUnetics Training Handbook: Level 1 "The Pledge"

The introductory level of FUnetics training is known as "the Pledge."

URL: http://funetics.org
Password: (removed by request)*

Summary: Record yourself on video reciting the pledge (see below), upload it somewhere on the web (most people are using YouTube) and send the link to the FUnetics group via a submission form on the Level 1 page. I'm assuming this is some sort of initiation or psychological ritual to make us feel part of a living, breathing community.

The FUnetics pledge:

As a free-thinking globally-minded Internet user, I pledge allegiance to the web and to the ideals set forth by FUnetics. And to the information, which should be forever free. And equal, unrestricted access for all.

The message of the pledge is positive, which leads most people to believe the FUnetics group is a positive force on the web (albeit secretive).


* Note: Several FUnetics trainees emailed and asked if I would take down the password. No worries, it's easy to figure out on your own. Just watch the 100th episode and pay special attention during the Fu of the Week (hint: watch the text on the screen). If you still can't figure it out, just email me.

The quine 11288

In his latest video, Multivac confesses a mistake he made regarding something called a quine. According to Wikipedia, a quine is "a program that produces its complete source code as its only output." This one stumped me so I headed over to the FUnetics Fanatics group.

After reading 100 or so responses, I found a brilliant analysis by a member named Rupert. Basically he figured out that the "11288" is actually a date -- November 2nd, 1988. Apparently the first major internet worm (the Morris worm) was released on that day. A worm is a virus that replicates itself, so it would be considered a quine. Read Rupert's full analysis here.

It sounds like Multivac was a major player in the early days of the internet. Maybe he's an old school computer programmer? Or maybe he created the virus?

Screencap collection #1

Here are a few screencaps from the first 2 levels of FUnetics video clips shown on EPIC-FU. If you have any requests for screencaps, just let me know in the comments!

Technical difficulties? Seriously?

After a few emails back and forth, Zadi and the crew at EPIC-FU are sticking with the story that the FUnetics "interruptions" during the past 2 episodes were "the result of unforeseen technical difficulties." That doesn't sit well with me.

Pay attention to Zadi's demeanor during her apology for the technical problems at the beginning of episode 101. And then pointing us to the first FUnetics discussion thread on their forum? It doesn't add up.

And when you consider the fact they GAVE FUNETICS AN AWARD (see below) during the infamous 100th episode, it makes me wonder just how innocent these glitches are.