The object of study is a textual resource, typically a physical or digital volume, that provides guidance or instructions on severing ties with one’s existing identity and lifestyle. It is a resource intended to facilitate the complete and permanent withdrawal from society and the cessation of all detectable traces of an individual’s former existence. An instance of such a resource might contain details on legally changing names, establishing a new financial identity, and evading surveillance technologies.
The value of resources of this type lies in their potential to provide individuals with a pathway towards self-determination and a fresh start, whether escaping oppressive circumstances, seeking anonymity for personal safety, or pursuing a radical lifestyle change. Historically, the dissemination of such information has been both celebrated as a tool for liberation and criticized as a means of enabling illicit activities. The content offered within these guides often reflects prevailing societal anxieties about privacy, government oversight, and the desire for individual autonomy.
