We got to see a part of The Yes Men movie, as part of our class instruction. Looking at Hardt & Negri’s Empire, in addition to having studied a lot of Foucault the semester before, made me feel almost hopeless. Deconstruction requires a regrouping of ideas at the end, but I kept waiting hopeful of a possible response, an equal and opposite reaction. It came in the shape of the movie, The Yes Men.
Through their exaggeration of the corporation and the impersonation of key individuals within these entities, The Yes Men provide an alternative to the corporate situations and problems in the world. They provide key responses, that although untrue, tend to shake the reality and bring forth a more humane side of life in a complex world. Not only do they inform and provide an appreciation for what should have been a more valuable, expected solution, but they also contribute to the drowning of the corporation as we know it.
Is resistance possible in a world of imperialism and imperial rule by the corporation? It certainly is possible, as long as we actively participate in the process of responding, addressing, presenting what solutions we would like to see met (think of social responsibility); and certainly by providing alternatives rather than constantly seeking to reactively address situations that were already created. The solution may have to be instead constructed as an alternative, not an opposing movement. Social responsibility was born out of a desire to please consumers who seemed to be moved by the social action and interest in the community; therefore, companies do listen to the voices of their consumers. Unity and agreement between the fragmented pieces of society are necessary for this to operate successfully, but if you’re still wondering… yes men: resistance is possible!
No comments:
Post a Comment