Once upon a time on the internet something both spontaneous and hilarious happens and last night was one of those nights. It may be that this was just a “you had to be there” kind of moments but as word went out on twitter to watch the #occupyBrisbane webstream it quickly became clear that we were watching something very special. No doubt my words can in no way replicate the experience of the live show, but I will try and summarise this failed revolution as best as I can.
For the uninitiated the Occupy protests are a spin off of the Occupy Wall Street protest that has been happening in New York for about a month now and in this past weekend several local Occupy protests have been started in Australian cities. Occupy Sydney and Melbourne seem to be the biggest and most organised, but these also seem to be more tightly controlled by the various socialist groups that regularly attend most left of centre protests. Quickly these protests morphed into the same Free Palestine/Capitalism is bad/Boycott Max Brenner of most far left protests of recent months.
Occupy Brisbane on the other hand had more of a touch of unpredictability about it, it seemed to be less professionally organised and acted as a magnet for various unrelated people who were angry at “the government” and “the man”. The real fun started when twitter found the live feed yesterday afternoon and the spontaneous hilarity it provided. As no-one recorded the feed I will attempt to try and explain some of the lulz, but it may very well be one of those “you had to be there” things that is lost on anyone who didnt originally see it. But anyway, here is a breif summary of some of the funniest bits of Occupy Brisbane.
Photo via @JamesCroft
Big pharmaceutical companies are suppressing cures for cancer.
Reserve bank, is part of the 1% and holding down the 99%
A colourful character referred to on twitter as “ute-guy” told a story of buying a nice ute via GE Money credit. When he failed to keep up with his repayments he was horrified when GE Money repossessed his ute. Presumably he was attending Occupy Brisbane to fight for a world where he doesnt have to pay for utes, or something.
Various anti-vaccinations, chemtrails and this being Queensland anti-fluoride in the water cranks giving their screed over the feed.
And then the real star of the show turned up, 18 year old Tayne or “DC Hat Guy” to his fans because of his Fred Durst style backwards skater hat. Some of the insightful gold from DC Hat Guy.
“The vibes are so good here that I havent smoked drugs for three days”
“People are not sleeping in Africa”
“We went to like round up some homeless people to give them food, it was rad”
“I don’t think this is a political thing, it’s an equality thing, i just want people to be happy. If people were happy that would be sick!”
DC Hat Guy quickly became very popular on twitter and before long he had his own parody twitter account and t-shirt.
But just like most revolutions it wasnt long until the revolution would be betrayed. For all the talk of freedom and direct democracy slowly and slowly the big wigs of occupy Brisbane got more and more reluctant to answer questions and engage in discussions with the live webstream. More and more often the moderators of this supposedly leaderless group would ban commenters from the stream and shut down debate entirely. It was the “some animals are more equal than others” moment for Occupy Brisbane. All the youthful idealism of an ideal world of three days ago was lost as the faceless men of the movement sought to control the flow of information from the movement. They even informed the webstream that the General Assembly would NOT be livestreamed. The move from open democracy to backroom dictatorship controlled by faceless men was around 72 hours.
But there was one idealist who stayed true to the belief of the revolution and it was the one and only DC Hat Guy. Over the livestream we saw DC Hat Guy stay true to the principles of the revolution to the autocrats in the movement. When they had an argument about freedom of speech in the movement and over the webstream the autocrats supported more banning and controlling of debate but DC Hat Guy gave an impassioned plea to stay true to their principles declaring
“They can troll the crap out of me, I don’t give a shit. Trolls are people too”
Threatened by DC Hat Guys popularity with the public as the unofficial face of the revolution the autocrats had a talk about keeping strict control over the webfeed. It could be the last we see of DC hat Guy as the faceless autocrats seek to make him an unPerson. So to the Leon Trotsky of this revolution, DC Hat Guy, we support you. They may silence you but they wont silence your message. For FREEDOM!
“If people were happy that would be sick”
via @ErikVeland
Update: Some other posts about Occupy Brisbane here and here
Lots of people on twitter mentioning bits that I didn’t see, unfortunately I only saw a small part of last night so feel free to add your own highlights in the comments section.
#1 by Kizz on 18 October 2011 - 11:28 am
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Haha, I’m so sad I missed this now. T_T
#2 by Lazlo_Panaflex on 18 October 2011 - 11:31 am
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You also failed to mention “The Mumbler” who came on, read some of the feed questions and flat out refused to answer any of them. What followed was some horrifically bad viewing as he scrolled down the list of questions saying “nup…nup…no…not reading that…nup…9/11? What?…nope…nup..”
He declared that he was tired and needed a good night sleep which is sad because the people in Africa don’t sleep. Those poor Africans.
I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time.
#3 by cosmicjester on 18 October 2011 - 11:42 am
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I didnt see the entire show, going via twitter it was hilarious all thoughout the afternoon, i only popped in an out when something funny was happening. I wish I saw it all now.
#4 by ippy on 18 October 2011 - 11:43 am
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and the breakdancing!
one of many great quotes i gleaned from the live chat forum ~
Are you a satirical performance troupe organised by Goldman Sachs to discredit real activists?
can’t wait for tonight’s show..
#5 by crushtor on 18 October 2011 - 11:51 am
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Also hilarious: the ad for financial services as an introduction before you’re connected to the LiveStream itself.
#6 by cosmicjester on 18 October 2011 - 1:07 pm
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i missed breakdancing?
#7 by dz on 18 October 2011 - 1:59 pm
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They oppose carbon tax and CSG. Seems they’re at cross purposes here.
#8 by Veronica on 18 October 2011 - 2:18 pm
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My favourite quotes included: “You’re welcome to believe in what you believe, as long as you support what we support.” and “We want people to be happy. Think about it, are you really happy? Or do you just think you’re happy?”
It was the best thing I’ve watched in forever.
#9 by Tom on 18 October 2011 - 3:18 pm
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This is very sad. I was at Occupy Brisbane on Sunday evening and Tane was a very valuable contributor. His enthusiasm really helped the rest of the general assembly open up. The Occupy movement belongs to everyone.
#10 by Jean-Baptiste on 18 October 2011 - 3:22 pm
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It is a privilege and honour to have been there, and witnessed the hilarity firsthand.
Highlight of the chat feed for me: “WHEN WILL YOU RELEASE THE 12 MONKEYS?”
Like DC Hat Guy on Facebook!
#11 by David Jackmanson on 18 October 2011 - 5:07 pm
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This article, and the behaviour last night on Twitter, is a perfect example of how we’ve been trained to sneer and mock mistakes.
It’s a toxic, nasty culture.
There were major political problems with last night’s livestream, in my opinion. That doesn’t justify this sort of “point-and-laugh” reaction.
#12 by Lazlo_Panaflex on 18 October 2011 - 5:53 pm
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“There were major political problems with last night’s livestream, in my opinion. That doesn’t justify this sort of “point-and-laugh” reaction.”
Sorry? Yes it does. If people want to protest and “tell” the rest of us what is wrong with the world we live in then they probably should plan it a little better. Last night was a perfect opportunity for this movement to recruit new followers. Instead it was a shambles and the star of the show was a giggling stoner who had no idea why he was there.
I shall tune in tonight to see if it isn’t any better.
#13 by Lodaer on 18 October 2011 - 6:22 pm
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“There were major political problems with last night’s livestream, in my opinion. That doesn’t justify this sort of “point-and-laugh” reaction.”
Why not? That is exactly what you would do if it was a major political party.
As Lazlo said they had a great opportunity to spread the message. Of course to what that message is I have no freaken idea. All I could work out that some guy got a loan and bought a ute, he couldn’t afford the repayments so they took his ute, thus results in “The man” sticking it to him.
Or was it the message to google the message as the pamphlets which hold the message can not be read.
Or the breakdancing interlude which made them seem like they wanted to be radio announcers.
Or the complete “I know people smoke but hey I haven’t for 3 days, man. man dude”
Or was it the vaccines/ flouride / GMO are bad.
Shall I go on?
And the funny thing was that the most asked question last night was “WHAT IS YOUR/THE MESSAGE” and we get nothing but drivel, drivel and more drivel.
It was an appalling mess and they all deserves to be ridiculed and heckled for single handily doing more damage to the whole world #occupy movement than anyone else.
Wake up and see it for what it was
#14 by @DCHatGuy on 18 October 2011 - 6:44 pm
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Dude you stole my thumbnail. I expect royalties and/or attribution for my screensh–I mean photograph.
BTW OCCUPIE BRISBANE
#15 by frogpondsrock on 18 October 2011 - 6:51 pm
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I support the #OWS movement. The #occupybrisbane livestream was a joke and that is why it was mocked so mercilessly on twitter last night.
When “Jag” was asked what do you stand for he repeatedly told people to, “just uh google occupy wall street and you will see what we stand for”
This quote from the facebook page also deserves an answer, “Regardless of how good the Livestream guests were or were not at expressing how they think and feel about the movement it does not really justify the Brisbane Occupation’s crucifixion in the court of public opinion”
I am sorry but yes it does, if you are going to livestream a movement and then present the most eccentric as well as the most inarticulate, as the public faces of your movement you deserve to be mocked.
The tweets that I read last night weren’t cruel, They were a succinct and accurate representation of what was a very public shambles.
#16 by anarchic teapot on 18 October 2011 - 8:30 pm
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Like most of those following this shambles yesterday, it wasn’t because I’m against the general principles of the #ows movement – in fact, as a finance professional I believe it’s long overdue – that I was laughing. It was because of the amateurish caricature of a student/hippy protest that this particular event turned out to be.
These people, well-meaning and bumbling as they are, are doing the whole #ows movement a grave disservice. Playing a weird rant about the Illuminati over the loudspeakers around midnight just about finished them, I think. I’ve got some of it here, plus more positive things about Australia http://blog.anarchic-teapot.net/2011/10/17/video-of-the-day-why-you-shouldnt-smoke-near-dinosaurs/
#17 by cosmicjester on 18 October 2011 - 9:08 pm
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Nasty, disrespectful? Maybe, but no more than most of the other snark on twitter. I dont see a difference between the snark at these guys and the snark at Question Time or during the anti-carbon tax and convoy of no confidence protests. They put themselves up as the public faces for some sort of revolution in their words, and just like politicians this opens them to satire and ridicule, and rightly so.
As for hating on Tain/Tayne I must object, we love him. He is a very likeable and funny guy.
#18 by Kimberley on 20 October 2011 - 4:45 pm
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Go to the 26:30 mark. The ‘schizophrenia doesn’t exist’ is a step too far. Then laughing at someone who pulled them up on it. David Jackmanson, objecting to people ridiculing mental illness and broadcasting potentially dangerous messages, such as “stay away from doctors” is not “to sneer and mock mistakes”.
#19 by carer on 24 October 2011 - 2:23 pm
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I have attended the Occupy Brisbane demonstration about four times in the hope that they have direction but so far I have found not much more than a bunch of dirty hippies looking for a place to bed down. I do believe in what this movement stands for and feel it should represent most of us commenting on this site. however, with the failed leadership in Brisbane it is becoming a fast joke, one that I myself am starting to find rather funny in a very sick sense, as they are making a mockery out of my belief in this movment. Oh the shame!!
I feel with better organisation, answers to common questions and a direction to head in, it may serve some good. Until then I will keep pokeing my head in the door to see where it goes, if not at least I will get a good laugh.
P.S. The stairway in the middle of the tent camp is starting to smell like piss. Perhaps the first democratic vote should be on a porta potty..
#20 by David Jackmanson on 24 October 2011 - 6:20 pm
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Kimberley, when I appeared on the livestream of Occupy Brisbane last Wednesday, I clearly stated that I believe that mental illness exists, that medications can in many cases help, and that I have treated my depression successfully by using prescribed anti-depressants.
I did this to specifically challenge the ideas that mental illness is not real, that “psychiatrists are drug pushers man”, and so on; ideas which I think are dangerous to the health of the mentally ill.
My point remains that many people did not express their opposition to those mistaken in substantial terms like I just did, but in sneering, mocking, corrosive snark.
#21 by Kimberley on 25 October 2011 - 2:46 am
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Hi David,
I saw your response just now, to a comment I left several days ago. Thank you for replying & also for the few tweets we exchanged. I didn’t see your broadcast but I am sure you put that message out, and for that, I am grateful.
Most of the people who’ve written about #occupybrisbane here have made very valid arguments about the utter shambles that the livestream was. I didn’t put it on for the lulz, I started watching because my tweetstream was erupting. When I saw why, I was shocked. Everybody’s free to broadcast their opinions, right? Not so much, when, as others have said, the opinions don’t match those shared by some people in the #occupy movement around Australia. All I see & hear are from various locations are laundry lists of complaints, illogical & inarticulate arguments, and a mob mentality. It reminds me of another mob of people who complain, using illogical & inarticulate arguments: the Convoy of no Confidence. I have protested against wars, education cuts, public sector wage freezes; but I protest on behalf of myself; I don’t co-opt a movement from New York, then willy-nilly add on, ‘the 99 per cent says no to fluoride or vaccinations, etc.’ No, sorry, you don’t speak for me. I’m a 100 per cent person. I am flawed, complex, intrigued, frustrated & yes, bemused and amused by what other people say and think. I tweet, comment & blog – whatever bullshit comes to mind. If people disagree with me, fine. They get a reply, & if I am inclined, a rocket up there arses. I don’t sit & say, ‘oh, people can say whatever they like on our livestream’ & then dismiss the dissenting opinion. You don’t want people to be limited in what they can say? Fine; but don’t dodge criticism of what is said, how it’s said, just because people may, god forbid, find it so ridiculous they laugh at it. You take your protest to the street, and broadcast it, you sign a compact to accept the love, the support and the knocks, the snark, that may be dished out in the same way as it is by so many (including me) to the Convoy of No Confidence participants, the Icke & Monckton acolytes, politicians, journalists, talkback radio, Kim Kardashian. Kick back, but don’t write off the dissenting opinion. The hypocrisy and irony is outstanding.
#22 by rightwinged on 3 November 2011 - 12:02 am
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heehehehehehehehehehehehe
#23 by rightwinged on 3 November 2011 - 12:04 am
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Hippies? Perhaps. It was obvious that nobody knew what this cause was and the whole stunt lacked direction.