The Yes Men Fix The World
The Yes Men Fix The World follows the exploits of Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno, two political activists who use elaborate hoaxes and pranks to expose corporate greed and challenge the ethics of free market capitalism. It chronicles their attempts to infiltrate conferences and media outlets while posing as representatives of major corporations and organizations.
One of their most notable stunts involves Bichlbaum appearing on BBC World News, impersonating a Dow Chemical spokesperson. He announces that Dow will take full responsibility for the 1984 Bhopal chemical disaster in India and provide $12 billion in compensation to the victims. This false statement causes Dow’s stock value to plummet by $2 billion within minutes, highlighting the tension between public expectations for corporate responsibility and market pressures.
Throughout the documentary, the Yes Men target various corporations and issues. They present a “Halliburton SurvivaBall” at a catastrophe preparedness conference, satirizing the company’s approach to disaster profiteering. At an oil industry event, they pose as ExxonMobil representatives and introduce “Vivoleum,” a fictional biofuel made from the remains of climate change victims. The duo also addresses the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, attending a Gulf Coast Recovery Conference where they encounter military applications being marketed as disaster relief solutions.
The film provides context for these pranks by exploring the philosophy behind the Yes Men’s actions. They argue that the current market system, influenced by economists like Milton Friedman, prioritizes corporate profits over human welfare. Through interviews with free market advocates and contrasting imagery, the documentary illustrates the Yes Men’s perspective on how unrestricted economic policies can lead to the devaluation of human life.
The Yes Men Fix The World culminates with a large-scale project in New York City. The activists distribute 80,000 copies of a fake edition of The New York Times, dated six months in the future. This spoof newspaper presents an optimistic vision of the world, reporting on the end of the Iraq War and the implementation of a more equitable economic system.
By documenting these elaborate hoaxes and the reactions they provoke, the film raises questions about corporate social responsibility, media complicity, and the potential for change within the global economic system. It presents the Yes Men’s belief that by imagining and temporarily creating alternative realities, people can be inspired to challenge the status quo and work towards a more just world.