HOPE Number Nine (2012): "Keynote Address - The Yes Men" (Download)
Saturday, July 14, 2012: 1:00 pm (Dennis): The Yes Men are actually two individuals (Mike Bonanno and Andy Bichlbaum) who have caused a significant amount of mayhem within governments and major corporations over the years. They are the ultimate in social engineering, posing as representatives of everything from the World Trade Organization to Dow Chemical, and having the mass media believe every word of it without checking the facts. This allows them to create an "alternative reality," where corrupt organizations sheepishly admit their failings and guilty parties graciously offer to compensate their victims - until the truth is uncovered and the parties in question must publicly reaffirm their evil ways. It's all done with a great sense of humor and it's served as a tremendous inspiration to freedom loving people everywhere. We're happy to have The Yes Men filling one of our keynote slots this year.