Reykjavík Grapevine - 19.07.2013, Qupperneq 2

Hafnarstræti 15, 101 Reykjavík
www.grapevine.is
grapevine@grapevine.is
Published by Fröken ehf.
www.froken.is
Member of the Icelandic Travel Industry Association
www.saf.is
Printed by Landsprent ehf. in 25.000 copies.
Editor In Chief:
Haukur S Magnússon / haukur@grapevine.is
Editor:
Anna Andersen / anna@grapevine.is
Editorial:
+354 540 3600 / editor@grapevine.is
Advertising:
+354 540 3605 / ads@grapevine.is
+354 40 3610
Publisher:
Hilmar Steinn Grétarsson / hilmar@grapevine.is
+354 540 3601 / publisher@grapevine.is
Editorial | Haukur S. Magnússon
TRACK OF
THE ISSUE
The words say “take it easy now” but the
tone says, “fuck, what a boring summer of
bad weather we’re having.” Not every elec-
tro jam has to be a feel-good hit and this
new three-minute tune from Plúseinn (who
also performs in FM Belfast) is way more
suited for sitting in the coffee shop, star-
ing at the window and sulking at the clouds
than for chugging Crabbie’s and throwing
your hands in the air like you just don’t
care. And that’s great, you know, because
when July is this cold and wet, we need an
anthem for commiseration! Download it
now and reclaim your empire.
As all of you surely know by now, we’re
running a pretty amazing contest to find the
TOURIST OF THE YEAR where one lucky
person will win a trip to Iceland courtesy
of Icelandair, Inspired by Iceland and yours
truly! Now that the summer has hit its peak
and tourism is at critical mass, we’ve gotten
some really cool submissions in from read-
ers who may be our contest winner.
Like Chris Smith from the USA
check him out:
“I should be tourist of the year because
I think you'll be hard-pressed to find some-
one that loves your country more than
I do—outside of being a local of course.
I love it so much, in fact, that I merged my
experience travelling along the ring road
with my other great love…Juggling! Here's
a link to a video blog of my experience – it's
called Juggling Around Iceland.”

Watch the video here:
www.bit.ly/138LCcs.
It’s pretty great, right? But don’t stress!
The contest is far from over! If you think
you should be our lucky winner, head on
over to www.touristoftheyear.is and submit
your tale! GOOD LUCK!
Plúseinn – “Empire”
IS THIS OUR ‘TOURIST
OF THE YEAR’?
Download for FREE
at www.grapevine.is
TRANSPARENCY
FOR EVERYONE
The story of Sigurður Ingi Þórðarson is unbe-
lievable, incredible. This much is clear: three
years ago, at age seventeen, Sigurður man-
aged to get himself deeply involved in a stag-
gering, still unfolding turn of events that con-
tinues to have massive global repercussions
to this very day. His exact level of involvement
is disputed; indeed, he has made claims that
have later been proven unfounded or, at best,
severely exaggerated.
Not everyone likes the man on our cover,
Sigurður Ingi Þórðarson. That much is clear.
Some people even think magazines like
Grapevine are doing a disservice to truth,
justice and several important causes by inter-
viewing the man, thus providing him with a
platform to spread his purported lies and de-
lusional fantasies.
Note that some of those very people are
outspoken proponents of open information
policies; of ‘transparency’ and of ‘liberat-
ing’ public and private data, making it widely
available and letting the public judge for itself.
I agree with those people. I believe that or-
ganizations like WikiLeaks and people like Ed-
ward Snowden have been pivotal in changing
the way we think about the world at large and
how its denizens are affected by various forc-
es and powers. Thank you, organizations like
WikiLeaks and people like Edward Snowden.
I believe that information should be out in
the open. I believe that everyone has the right
to have his or her story heard. I believe dis-
course should not be controlled, or dominat-
ed by a single voice. I believe in conversation,
in letting the public judge for itself.
Sigurður Ingi Þórðarson spins a fascinating
yarn, and you will no doubt enjoy reading
what he has to say—although you will have to
take him with a grain of salt. But there’s more
to it! Alongside the interview, we are running
several connected stories that detail the ap-
parently dead dream of Iceland as “whistle-
blower haven,” US government agencies
spying on Icelandic citizens, Icelandic govern-
ment agencies spying on Icelandic citizens
and the state of transparency and freedom of
information in the world.
In one of those articles—“Paradise Lost
Or Still In The Making”—our intern Shea
Sweeney investigates why the Icelandic gov-
ernment has ignored whistleblower Edward
Snowden’s pleas for asylum or citizenship.
Her article is a great read (actually, all of our
current interns kick ass—read their stuff!),
and she closes with an excellent point:
“This is a matter of paying attention to how
governments react when they are put under
a spotlight and given the opportunity to hold
themselves accountable for connecting the
values they claim to represent with the ac-
tions they actually take.
This applies as much to Iceland as it ap-
plies to the United States.”
Now take some time and read all of this stuff.
On the cover:
Sigurður Ingi Þórðarson,
Siggi "the hacker", Q
Photo by Hörður Sveinsson
www.hordursveinsson.com
Special thanks to Hörður Sveinsson,
and also Kaisu, for the computer.
2
Contributing Writers:
Páll Hilmarsson
Valur Gunnarsson
Huginn Freyr Þorsteinsson
Atli Bollason
Smári McCarthy
Davíð Roach Gunnarsson
Óli Dóri
John Rogers
Laris Kreslins
CodWars
Ragnar Egilsson
Helgi Hrafn Guđmundsson
Snorri Páll Jónsson Úlfhildarson
Ari Trausti
Kári Tulinius
Journalist & Listings editor:
Rebecca Louder / rebecca@grapevine.is
Journalist:
Ingibjörg Rósa Björnsdóttir / ingibjorg@grapevine.is
Online news editor:
Catharine Fulton / catharine@grapevine.is
Editorial Interns:
Shea Sweeney / shea@grapevine.is
Tómas Gabríel Benjamin / gabriel@grapevine.is
Parker Yamasaki / parker@grapevine.is
Adrienne Blaine / adrienne@grapevine.is
Alex Ardri / alex@grapevine.is
Kaisu Nevasalmi / kaisu@grapevine.is
Art Director
Hörður Kristbjörnsson / hordur@dodlur.is
Design:
Guðmundur Úlfarsson / giu@grapevine.is
Anton Kaldal / anton@antonkaldal.com
Photographer:
Alísa Kalyanova / www. alisakalyanova.com
Sales Director:
Aðalsteinn Jörundsson / adalsteinn@grapevine.is
Helgi Þór Harðarson / helgi@grapevine.is
Distribution manager:
distribution@grapevine.is
Proofreader:
Jim Rice
Listings:
listings@grapevine.is
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editor@grapevine.is
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General inquiries:
grapevine@grapevine.is
The Reykjavík Grapevine Issue 10 — 2013

YOUR FREE COPY THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LIFE, TRAVEL & ENTERTAINMENT IN ICELAND
× 2013
July 19 - August 1
Issue 10
Complete
Reykjavík Listings
Lots of
cool events+ Download the FREE Grapevine Appy Hour app!Every happy hour in town in your pocket. Available on the App store and on Android Market.
”Siggi the Hacker” <speaks/>
Is this
the most
dangerous
man in
Iceland?
POLITICSESPIONAGE COMIX MUSIC TRAVEL
In Iceland,
then and now
Where's Snowden's
Icelandic citizenship?
Mompants is back! Thank you,
Frank Ocean!
An American in
Ísafjörður
YEARS
2003-2013
Founders:
Hilmar Steinn Grétarsson,
Hörður Kristbjörnsson,
Jón Trausti Sigurðarson,
Oddur Óskar Kjartansson,
Valur Gunnarsson
The Reykjavík Grapevine is published 18 times a year by Fröken ltd.
Monthly from November through April, and fortnightly from May til
October. Nothing in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in
part without the written permission of the publishers. The Reykjavík
Grapevine is distributed around Reykjavík, Akureyri, Egilsstaðir,
Seyðisfjörður, Borgarnes, Keflavík, Ísafjörður and at key locations along
road #1, and all major tourist attractions and tourist information centres
in the country.
You may not like it, but at least it's not sponsored (no articles in
the Reykjavík Grapevine are pay-for articles. The opinions expressed
are the writers’ own, not the advertisers’).
www.fontana.is
Be in your
element
GEOTHERMAL
STEAM ROOMS
THERMAL
BATHS
SAUNA
The perfect rest stop between Thingvellir and Geysir
Open everyday 10-23
Make sure your Golden Circle tour completes the geothermal experience
Visit the Laugarvatn Fontana wellness centre. Relax in steam rooms over a natural
hot spring and open air thermal baths. Afterwards try local delicacies in our café.
Ask us how the locals at Laugarvatn use the steam baths!