Bhopal Disaster - BBC - The Yes Men

[@file83]

The beauty of this "prank" is that it plants the seed of what should happen into the mind of the public. The fact that Dow isn't doing this makes them look that much worse now that the expectations have been raised to a higher level by this prank. Brilliant.

[@johnharveypulmones3345]

this must be the oldest comment I ever saw

[@jaye739]

I can't imagine todays content creator's getting away with this.

[@TOOLxoxo]

If anyone saw this entire film, the Yes Men went to Bhopal and every person they interviewed thanked them and hugged them for what they did.

[@fishcati5620]

I love that after this, Dow had to come out and say that they aren't going to help the people because they are evil

[@Mister.Psychology]

Dow stocks dropped $2 billion dollars because of this interview.

[@CuttinBlade]

Pocket change.

[@ManuKey25]

***** Sad what ???????

[@tarcal87]

+DudeofGwinnett It's sad? It's business, not charity or nonprofit organization.

[@tarcal87]

+jqbtube True, businessmen don't care about the world. I simply pointed this out, which does not reflect how I am as a person (as this is not about me), nor am I a businessman. So thanks.

[@tarcal87]

+jqbtube All right enough with getting personal, mind your manners. If you were not so keen on criticizing my personality, you may recognize that I stated facts of the outside world, facts that I'm not connected with. At any time and place, if someone mentions facts, they are automatically associated with said things, right? So if anyone, you are not the sharpest crayon in the box for being so short-sighted. I think there is a gap between our understanding, so this conversation won't lead anywhere. The commenter is just naive, as if he only just realizes that sad things like that happen in the world; that profit come before people for most corporations. The sad things is, you and I agree but time and again you choose to interpret me your way, which is intellectually dishonest indeed. You are merely one arrogant prick for getting personal without provoked.

[@paolopetrozzi2213]

His name: "Jude Finisterra" is the latin for "The end of the world" (Finis terrae). Well done.

[@stuiley424]

It was for the all Investors, if only for a short period.😉

[@voxlvalyx]

He's so nervous, because he knows that at anytime, somebody from Dow who's watching the news could call and give him up.

[@user-kh3ev6vq1v]

In the 5 minutes he spent live on air? Yeah I don’t think that’s it somehow you muppet.

[@clairelally3644]

@@user-kh3ev6vq1v Dow is a huge company. I am sure that at least one of their employees would have been watching the news. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if top shareholders started calling Dow as soon as this interview started.

[@LEON13858]

wow a prank on this level is so extreme it leaves me speechless. the yes men should have statues made of them. this is so incredible.

[@Rymerik]

The Yes Men have stated that they have received email and other communication from many people in Bhopal stating that after their initial shock at finding out it was a hoax, they are very happy with the attention that the stunt has brought to the Bhopal disaster and also all of the additional help they have been given through volunteer programs and financial aid.

[@alexandert7115]

For anyone calling this boring, you clearly haven't watched the movie, or don't understand the functions of the central nervous system. That he didn't shit his pants mid-broadcast is no small miracle. Please, boliussa: I would invite you to attempt impersonation of a spokesperson for an industry giant like Dow, speaking to a media giant like BBC, without packing a Pez dispenser full of Xanax bars.

[@Jerkwad152]

These guys have balls so big, their gravity messes with the tides. o_o

[@JohnBastardSnow]

What they do goes much deeper that just pranks. They are very smart and skilled people, who do almost magic to achieve what they want. They manage to get a HUGE attention to important issues, while framing it as a prank, but on some level offering solutions. The number of places they manage to penetrate is really impressive. They're Houdini of activism.

[@seantynan1]

The downside is that people in the region thought that they would get compensation and an apology. They believed it. And that's a bad joke. Still, I think this sort of activism has to be an essential part of our resistance.

[@digi_edits]

@@seantynan1 Not true, in the movie they showed that people in there were happy about it because it brought a well deserved attention to the case.

[@DylTyrril]

It's actually been 25 years now, and I just spoke with someone that was on site when this horrific industrial disaster occurred. From what she said, people on site could not even pay for the removal of bodies of immediate family members. It's been 5 years since this spokesman from DOW spoke with the BBC and the water in Bhopal is still unsafe for drinking. Despicable!

[@seanmac1793]

Well the thing is it's a troll. That man isn't a rep for DOW and they have said they won't do the things he said they would

[@bracoop2]

lol you actually thought the man was from dow?

[@apc467]

"Simply because it is the right thing to do." Need to hear that more often

[@adelaidefowl3994]

What an indictment of an economic system where a 'statement' by a company says it's going to do the right thing causes the stock go down. What a disgusting,corrupt, criminal world we are living in at present. Bravo for the Yes Men...

[@tarcal87]

3:07 _"and our shareholders may take a bit of a hit, Steve"_ - hahaha *brilliant*!!!

[@r0sewat3r]

LOOOL OMG

[@ThunderIndian]

I am from Bhopal. Many many died without any fuckng reason.

[@DB-kn8hg]

Mic used for pesticides

[@CYNESTA]

Fr bro

[@ThunderIndian]

@@CYNESTA yo

[@Sylvanas17]

now this is how u troll

[@AshGeo]

Mark Dice is gonna make this trending again.

[@bighutch73]

That's what brought me here

[@politicalfoolishness7491]

Me too - I'd never heard of it until now. Can you imagine the panic of the Dow executives as this is airing. Who is this guy? :) LOL

[@LOOKINVERTED]

Had to return to refresh my memory too. Classic dupe!

[@DestroyerofBubbles]

Had never heard of it before, fuck the BBC, get no money from me

[@willk2678]

You sir are correct.

[@baller84milw]

best troll ever

[@TheTriptamineDream]

Troll for sure. But I love that they Troll with a ton of thought and it works. Not just the usual Troll formula of "loudly contrarian/ridiculous opinion/response!!"

[@stuartcarrick4134]

Just finished watching the Netflix series about this and I remembered watching this clip a decade ago. This clip makes so much more sense to me once I saw the full context of the horror Bhopal experienced. I love you Yes Men, this was amazing 😂

[@hbielenia]

He did no damage to the company, it's the wealthy investors that saw this kind of statement as threat to their profits and started selling their stock. There is something inherently wrong with the economic system, where assuming responsibility and making a compensation promise makes a company suffer stock downfall. If anything, this should be the exact opposite.

[@clairelally3644]

I am surprised that this guy and the BBC didn't get sued.

[@mahvdl]

Me too

[@darioburstin2418]

That would have increased public awareness. Not good for the company.

[@peaked_aussie]

He called himself ""Jude Finistera"" which isn't the name of a real person. If he was impersonating an actual Dow employee, they would have had a case against him.

[@phatima1990]

Someone give this guy an Oscar!

[@RandyPass]

These guys are truly incredible. He' so believable. The shareholders response is proof of that.

[@davidhutchinson5233]

I love the fact that when the media started crying "how could you do that to the people of India?" BS...the yes men said...Hmmm, good idea, let's go find out. Bahahahahahaha I f'ing love these guys. And the people of India understood what the gag was. They were just glad more attention was brought to this horrific continuing problem.

[@illegitimate0]

How could Dow Chemical do that to the people of India? That is the real question.

[@davidhutchinson5233]

@@illegitimate0 Corporate greed knows no bounds. The bastards won't be happy until the planet is completely destroyed.

[@davidhutchinson5233]

@@illegitimate0 Profits over people.

[@Steph6n]

This brilliant stunt by The Yes Men resulted in the DOW losing TWO BILLION DOLLARS in market value off it's share price within 23 minutes of this airing. Savage.

[@trollface870]

This is genious, his last name literally means "The end of the world" in latin

[@123ucr]

Now, this is how you do a successful political prank. As a result of this interview, Dow Chemical's stock went down. Well done, Yes Men.

[@PetraKann]

Corporations are very nice and very honest and very responsible arent they ladies and gentlemen

[@siso77]

WE ALL NEED MORE PEOPLE LIKE THEM!!!!!!

[@MsSandhu9]

That company has blood on its hands. And you worry about its financial losses.

[@davidhutchinson6377]

Love these guys.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

How have I never heard of these guys, the Yes Men!

[@aman-gupta]

My aunt lost her 2 Daughters in this accident

[@altosax1st]

We need more people like the yes men.

[@jaygatsby3039]

Absolutely fucking amazing, just watched Timbah On Toast’s video, this guy caused DOW to lose TWO BILLION DOLLARS from its stock price. Amazing. Fucking amazing. Absolute legend.

[@Oskarskon]

This movie was so amazing I dont know what to say, except THANK YOU!!

[@manmanam3166]

20 years is a life time for poor people..

[@RaeCarson]

It's 30 years now. :(

[@bartvroegindeweij552]

Its 40 years now...

[@jblasutavario9549]

It's 50 years now :-(

[@Yesman812]

Sad you don't hear this being said from actual companies enough.

[@toltacoatl]

we need much more "modern mutations of robin hood's" like this! my deepest respect & sympathy!

[@Stairc]

@DidntKnowWhatToPut1 The chemical company should be ashamed. Who did the YesMen hurt? And now millions of people are talking about this disaster. The company needs to be held accountable for this.

[@taxsi]

as Dow Chemical; requesting the extradition of Warren Anderson to India was an overstretch I guess :))

[@julianasert635]

hahahah so funny! the overstretch was, for me, Dow asking researchers to evaluate the toxicity of their products!

[@Anuj10_01]

Bhahaha

[@ryanlacroix6425]

I can't imagine the draconian law system of the US doesn't have very severe laws against this kind of action.

[@TTwhatdouwhant]

I wish this was real :(

[@Bergred]

Can you imagine the short term sphincter puck Warren Anderson and company had about the extradition?

[@muirgirl]

"Simply because it is the right thing to do."

[@icemachine79]

@evelsteev Dow bought Union Carbide and are profiting off of it, so they also assumed all responsibilities of the company. Union Carbide was in charge during the tragedy, hence Dow is now responsible since they absorbed UC. Dow should have thought about that before the sale if they didn't want to deal with what happened in Bhopal.

[@ellen5678]

Agreed it's their best to date because it forced a response.

[@AkashViswanathMehta]

Want to clear up some earlier confusion - as others have said, if you buy a company you also by its liabilities for past events. In this particular case, Carbide had a similar accident in USA which they were accountable for, and when Dow bought Carbide Dow fully paid for it. They won't do the same in Bhopal because its poorer people in a poorer nation they killed who therefore don't need to be treated like human beings. If this has happened in US there would be a much bigger outrage.

[@VeganSemihCyprus33]

This is gold :D

[@Key3812]

The look on the newsreaders face right at the end, I think he's just been told it's a fake

[@choosetolivefree]

@TimothyParadox1 Wow you completely missed the point. The point is not to get rid of any companies that has an accident. The point is, that when companies have accidents, THEY TAKE 100% RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ACCIDENT, which is what Union Carbide/Dow DID NOT DO. Ground water is still contaminated TODAY because of this never having been properly cleaned up.

[@Seb640]

After this,DOW lost 2 billions dollars.... i say that's a great little vengence !

[@picure]

I was just thinking that I was born in 1984 and I saw this message.

[@DrBandrew]

this guy has balls.

[@Orcinus24x5]

because Dow Chemical had no connection at all to Union Carbide at the time of the disaster. Only recently did Dow Chemical acquire Union Carbide.

[@TheNewAmericanMedia]

Anyone happen to catch their Edward Snowden interview this weekend at Politicon? We won't spoil anything, but we will upload the video. Very good stuff.

[@ApathyJedi]

Well, since many children in the area are born with crippling birth defects, and that people who were around for the incident weren't necessarily killed, just crippled, maimed, or otherwise poisoned, I'd say "yes."

[@Orcinus24x5]

it wasn't Dow Chemical, it was Union Carbide. At the time of the disaster, there was no connection between the two companies. Only later did Dow acquire UC.

[@nathanramses9072]

Real internet gem

[@cheezeofages]

I was born at the exact same time this disaster happened?!?

[@MatiPryjomko]

It's absolutely shameful how despite everything Dow was still a London Olympics sponsor.

[@charlesglasgow6642]

It's nice to see a 'private' individual company take responsibility. Now, for scammers. Beware the banks, they'll come for you someday and recover their money.

[@KuroGordon]

Isn't this the best prank ever?!?!?!?

[@ephemerol]

this is the best thing the yes men ever did.

[@Kamadev888]

Unfortunately this tricks thousands of affected people into falsely thinking they will be compensated

[@Ranaldo20]

Saw the movie last night. These guys are great!!!

[@Waaadin]

the best part is when people freaked out and said "fuck this" and sold all their stocks because they dont give a fuck about poor black people

[@freemanfriend]

damn right :(

[@charlesvan13]

Braindead Lincoln Bhopal is in India, not Africa.

[@clairelally3644]

This is painful!

[@galbeeri8360]

this man got balls

[@OMG_BeCkY]

@super0star0material I've contacted many lawyers about this and they all tell me the same thing: "We're not currently taking Cipro cases." The last class action I know of against Bayer was actually filed by the postal workers in 2002 after they were fed Cipro during the whole anthrax scare thing. Hundreds of them became permanently disabled and unable to work, not because of anthrax but because of Cipro! And they sued. Today no lawyers want to go up against drug companies it seems.

[@arkhatrax7052]

desmond miles?

[@nameofthepen]

My first intro to "The Yes Men". Fabulous! :D

[@funkyironman69]

Dow are on the list for most wanted companies for at Globalexchange's website. From the website: "In New Plymouth, New Zealand, 500,000 gallons of Agent Orange were produced and thousands of tons of dioxin-laced waste was dumped in agricultural fields."

[@genemaurillo4162]

So good!

[@amm1769]

this is good,but i really feel sorry for the people who got the hopes up......

[@sigga20]

hello bbc, my name is sigga and i really enjoy your videos

[@TyRafferty]

there is a petition on change dot org about DOW and their sponsorship of the Olympics and their lack of responsibility concerning Bhopal.

[@MrBubbaSkeeter]

You could say that about 75% of all comments on this site.

[@Goodiesfanful]

Huge compensation, my foot. They still haven't cleaned up that factory, which still poisons people. And the cheeky sods still claim on their website that the disaster was due to sabotage, not negligence.

[@FloraWest]

You know this guy isn't from Dow, right? That this is a guy doing very high level trolling of Dow for *not* taking any action? He's doing a great job so it's no wonder you may have been confused.

[@masterjarred32]

I watched this on TV, and did this really happen. Did they really do that on national TV, or was it just part of the Movie. Don't flame me.

[@plastic14407]

Only 75% that seems a little low.

[@CKyIe]

Anyone else here after Mark shared the video?

[@PHONEYPOLITICS]

BRILLIANT - I never knew about DOW - I will research to boycott their products

[@evelsteev]

Dow never owned or operated the plant, which today is under the control of the Madhya Pradesh state government. Dow acquired the shares of Union Carbide Corporation more than 16 years after the tragedy, and 10 years after the $470 million settlement agreement paid by Union Carbide Corporation and Union Carbide India, Limited was approved by the Indian Supreme Court

[@IWontHealYou]

I agree that it's got to be a bite in the butt to the victims. But, at least they have someone talking for them and drawing attention back. They may not be getting any money in compensations but at least they are receiving attention for a horrible wrong that everyone seemed to forget. I would much rather have that then nothing at all.

[@thinking102]

These guys are my hero’s

[@OMG_BeCkY]

@StikManJones How exactly does one prove they're crippled?

[@UnknownGnome1]

@TimothyParadox1 These companies cut corners to save money. This is where the problem lies. They would never even have thought of cutting the corners Union Carbide cut if it was on US territory. It was because they were in India and losing money so they made cutbacks on staff and equipment which led to this event. A lot could be blamed on the placement of the refinery too. It was too close to a civilian population. They should have had a larger buffer zone around the complex.

[@hoooiiiaaa]

Ah. It IS a joke. My reality has been (sadly) restored.

[@christelmayland]

more NOW!!

[@ThePsychoReturns]

Dow probably could have handled this one better.

[@OhMySavy]

I wish this was real...

[@andrewworley4401]

Is this a joke and was the BBC completely duped.

[@westechmedia4567]

Yeah it was a activist prank and the BBC was completely duped. They made a documentary on it.

[@paddydoublems]

Yes. The point was to 1) Bring awareness to the Bhopal Disaster and 2) Make the Dow stock price drop. Mission accomplished.

[@lukemitchell1975]

shapeshifter aint he, check his right eye, either stroke or reptian

[@timmyumami]

he's a genius.

[@ksachdeva11]

well..what bothers me is that how Dow people can be reached by us. how can we pressurize them to take action instead of just giving speeches... any ideas?

[@Exerus]

Sometimes the good guys have to force the bad guys to apologize.

[@ATG913]

What balls he has. :^P Very well done.

[@MentalParadox]

@choosetolivefree I see. I see your point. =)