Journal (6/6)

Truth is a Virus: Meme warfare and the billionaires for Bush (or Gore)- Andrew Boyd

Boyd begins the quote “Truth is a Virus”, which he saw spray painted on the walls. It was interesting to learn about how memes are media viruses that spread throughout the public. The analogy of how media viruses spread quickly was an interesting take and made sense as Rushkoff describes the process. This led him to his experience as a supporter of meme warfare. BOyd discusses his experience with the Billionaires for BUsh (or Gore) campaign, which devised to educate the public about the twin evils of campaign finance and corruption and economic inequality. The campaigns morphed images of the candidates Bush and Al Gore into a single image and then included slogans as they created bumper stickers, buttons, and mock radio advertisements. Their strategy went viral and got many attention as content and humor were tightly meshed together. They created a humorous ironic media campaign that spread like a virus. I thought it was interesting when the author compared and contrasted the Billionaires campaign to another protest we read about called Reclaim the Streets. WHile, RTS movements evolved out of communities of resistance to create the street festivals, BIllionaires were more consciously designed and put into media stream. However, both were viruses as there was an ideological code and viral shell present. It was interesting to see how the different style of viruses impacts us today. Movements based on memes are cheap and fast but they are also out of control. However, they are still powerful.

Electronic Disturbance: An Interview- Ricardo dominguez

In Ricardo’s article, he talks about Electronic DIsturbance theatre and how these methods of protest are more important. Ricardo believes and insists that EDT’s activism should be understood as theatre. I thought it was interesting to learn about the different techniques used by ACT UP. Strategies they used were Butt ins, Fax jams, and Phone zapping. I thought the strategies these different campaigns used reminded me of the Laotian girls of APEN coming up with strategies to fight and bring awareness for what they believe in.

Andrew’s Presentation:

The presentation was interesting and i liked how Andrew was very interactive by asking us our own opinions and walking around so everyone felt included. I thought it was insightful learning about writers and in particular the struggles Asian American writers face.