An internet meme that began as a simple website with a countdown to 12:AM EST July 1st, 2006. In general determined to be an ARG], interest in the site was fueled by alternate speculation, such as the possiblity of a terrorist site, an in-depth advertisement, or even the worlds most elaborate screamer].
As the numbers counted down, the site was pummeled by traffic, and discussion raged at sites like YTMND] and GameFAQs]. When the timer finally hit 0, the people able to actually get through the traffic saw that the site was a social experiment, designed to "determine the reactions of the internet public to lack of information."
The page contained a concise FAQ and a link to a final message, an mp3] containing Monty Python]s "Always look on the bright side of life."
(Following text from eon8.com/deployed21b.php)
RESULTS
We were amazed to discover that the site was instantly linked with terrorism, simply for the fact that it seems mysterious. Evil was the number one first impression people had of the site, in spite of the fact that there are no threats on the site. The only thing Eon 8 says is "We don't want you here". Nothing else.
Other less disappointing opinions were social experimentation (which was correct), James Bond movie viral marketing, and promotions for video games.
For many people, being faced with a countdown timer was an instant reason to try to shut down or hack the site. This is a worrying reaction, that if someone doesn't understand something they must destroy it. As a result, the servers have been hit quite hard these last few days, but luckily 99% of the 'hackers' could easily be described as 'l4me n00bs'.
Another worrying example of paranoia was how quickly people would jump to conclusions, such as telephoning the registered owner of a dog seen in a photograph on a server that hosts a page that links to eon8.
