The Yes Men
Creativity as Social Intelligence
What if creativity wasn’t just for innovation but also for challenging power? The Yes Men have turned activism into an art form, using creativity as a form of social intelligence capable of questioning the rules of the game. Their interventions, blending satire and denunciation, prove that creative thinking can be a powerful tool for change.
Hacking Reality
Mike Bonanno and Andy Bichlbaum are the masterminds behind The Yes Men, a duo that challenges corporations and institutions through "identity correction." They infiltrate events, media, and conferences by posing as representatives of major companies or governments, making announcements that are as absurd as they are revealing. Their goal: to expose the contradictions of the system and spark debates that would otherwise be impossible.
Masterful Actions
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Bhopal and Dow Chemical: They fooled the BBC by posing as Dow Chemical spokespersons, announcing that the company would finally compensate the victims of the Bhopal disaster. Dow’s stock plummeted, exposing the company’s lack of responsibility.
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Oil Summit: They presented the Survivaball, an inflatable suit designed to help the wealthy survive climate change. A humorous jab at the indifference toward the environmental crisis.
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Fake New York Times: They distributed thousands of copies with headlines like “The End of the War in Iraq.” A simulation of a better world meant to inspire action in the present.
Social Intelligence in Action
The creative industries thrive on imagination—but what if that imagination was also used to challenge power structures? The Yes Men demonstrate that creativity is not just about aesthetics or innovation but also about strategy and awareness. Their work invites us to rethink how we can use our creative skills to impact reality.
What bothers you about the world? Imagine how you could hack it creatively. Use satire, art, storytelling, design, or any medium at your disposal to propose change.