Cicada 3301...

This place needs some juicier topics to discuss. So here's an idea -

Cicada 3301.

What was it? What IS it? What did it mean? Why did it happen? Who made it?

Let the speculations commence!

And for those who don't know what the hell I'm talking about, here's an intro to one of the internets' most enduring mysteries - https://youtu.be/I2O7blSSzpI

Some rich smart dude having fun. I think some organization like MI6 or CIA being behind it is nonsense.

My answers might be dull but I'm a realistic guy

What was it?
Probably an elaborate prank. People who staged it had to have however extensive knowledge of cybersecurity and ciphers. Too convoluted for an recruitment effort I think.

What IS it?
Is it anything anymore? Well I don't know. Think about how many people and organizations are there in the world that we know nothing in actuality about. Just check who has the most stockpiled gold or silver, I can bet you never even heard of those companies.

What did it mean?
Maybe they wanted to force people to think and to ask questions. To educate themselves in cybersecurity etc. If that was the goal they definitely succeeded, as it is still talked about, and there is this itch to know the inner workings of those puzzles that were carried out.

Why did it happen?
I would quote Moriarty from Sherlock "and why does anyone do anything?" the answer is boredom. We as people tend to indulge ourselves in things that interest us, we try to escape this monotonous world in some shape or form. Could it be, that they found it interesting and wanted to share with the world and see where it goes? I guess we will never know... or we will someday, hard to tell.

Who made it?
A group of people that is for sure. Just from those QR codes it is obvious. They might have recruited some, but I doubt they did it. It had to be done in person and coordinated. Most people from United States as well.
I would assume some exchange students that met in USA. But that is just my guess.

Still it is a really nice change of pace, since the world is vast and we have no clue even about 0.01% of things that are going on in the world.

If you're wigged out by Cicada 3301, just wait until Cicadas 2021...