The Dark Side of the London Olympics (Part 2/4)

VICE takes an in-depth look at the British public's reaction to The Games in London and the negative impact it's having on certain people's lives.
It's not just politicians, capitalists, sportsmen, and protestors who are obsessed with the Olympics. Pornographers, gangsters, and alien conspiracy theorists are pretty excited about it too.
Watch the rest here
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Part 2: bit.ly/Dark-Sid...
Part 3: bit.ly/Dark-Sid...
Part 4: bit.ly/Dark-Sid...
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[@TheGreenSteam]

I love the guy at the end talking about the exploitation of the people through pointless merchandising...and then they follow it with the Pinhead convention...Brilliant hahaha.

[@samp-k2273]

Oooo “look upon my works ye mighty and despair” is from the poem Ozymandias by Percy Byshe Shelley. I know that from my English literature at schoolllll

[@checkunderyourbed]

I have to say, Stephen Bayley gave the best criticism of modern consumerism I've seen to date for the few minutes he spoke in this video. It was hilarious, lucid, and very very cynical.

[@haboob308]

9:00 Let's see how long it take for this prediction to play out.

[@rfe0785]

I'm an American and former military and I can tell you the only difference between being a civilian and being in the military is that in the military you come to know every facet of you're life is controlled by some "higher" power and accept it, whereas most civilians (most, not all) are sheep, and go through life thinking their "freedom" isn't controlled by big brother in some way and accept that. Pure BS, we as Americans have the illusion of freedom and nothing more.

[@MrInternetDude]

I love how Steven speaks, whish I knew this much vocabulary :)

[@Josh_Roberts]

omg I nearly cried laughing at Stephen Bayley's comments!!

[@spongebob7285]

4:15 Drones? Really? Come on! If that's true my name is Metalhead McAlloypants

[@Moojingles_]

OK, well hello Metalhead McAlloypants!

[@lucatkinson]

That hasn’t aged well has it? Hi metalhead!

[@spongebob7285]

@@lucatkinson ?

[@lejambon08]

the funny thing is the morris dancer would likely get battered in England lol.

[@MotoXracer450]

Thank you vice for your documentation and another great video.

[@TheKingFriday]

6:51 Can you just get him to talk on camera about whatever comes to mind? He's great! :-)

[@AntState]

This Stephen Bayley is great

[@Alprazolam]

I see the logo as masking tape art and writing. Just look at all the borders and barriers used in the Olympic games for these past two weeks. The "London 2012" looks like it was written in masking tape. Take a pizza box and some 1/4 inch masking tape and write out London 2012 it will look exactly the same. I don't know if they were going for that graffiti look.

[@lordblazer]

lol Switzerland does a militia system. Their gov't is the closest country to a direct democracy too. They have the best education as you have said, and for the most part it's a peaceful place to live. I have also traveled to many countries. I am from Oklahoma. Soo as an American I am glad to have been born in the US, but at the same time I know for damn sure that we can do things better, and that we're seriously fucking up right now. In fact our leaders look @ real solutions and insult them.

[@nicrc9714]

Umm wait a second vice... its kinda conflicting for you to show this documentary but then recieve money for advertising thats for the Olympics... There was an ad at the beginning of this video that had morgan freeman talking about the olympic games for Visa...

[@progfan71]

"We also have the right to hang out with friends and have fun" That's not a RIGHT matey, it's a fucking privilege. That's what's wrong with youth these days, think they are entitled to fucking everything.

[@BrokeredHeart]

I just wanted to see him continually smash all the stuff he opened. Tossing the snow globe - YEAH! Holding up glassware and calling it (essentially) absolute crap, WOO! He's got a point to make, combined with debonair wit. This man deserves his own feature.

[@Kvizy]

What laws are you talking about? The only internet censorship laws that the UK posses is the filtering of child pornography and the ban of TPB (the pirate bay) and a few other minor ones that don't pose a threat to freedom. I'm not against the average american citizen, they've done nothing wrong, it's the politicians and big business companies that run the country, they are to blame.

[@Kvizy]

What laws are you talking about? The only internet censorship laws that the UK posses is the filtering of child pornography and the ban of TPB (the pirate bay) and a few other minor ones that don't pose a threat to freedom. I'm not against the average american citizen, they've done nothing wrong, it's the politicians and big business companies that run the country, they are to blame.

[@Zidana123]

Key word is "tried." Many US citizens, myself included, contacted our congressmen and told them we did not support those bills. We the common American citizen shut that shit down. If you want to blame someone, blame Lamar Smith, the originator of the bills. Where were you, as a UK citizen, when they passed those censorship laws in YOUR country? Did you even TRY to fight them? If you didn't, then you have no business talking about freedoms, because you yourselves gave them up.

[@Marveh]

Sure I agree socio-economic issues are the real issue, it's how my country Ireland can have restrictive gun laws and be fine, and the Swiss can have very open laws, and also be fine. I never intended this to turn into a complex debate on gun crime, I just was annoyed by a hypocritical American saying England is a prison and that we essentially suck because we don't all have gun's..

[@Marveh]

I'm by no means making out London is a hippy's paradise of freedom and no policing, but I was just annoyed with the typically hypocritical loud mouth American's, bad-mouthing everywhere else without looking at their own mess. And who refer's to the whole of England as a prison when watching something specifically about London just highlights there ignorance about other countries..

[@Marveh]

The Swiss are also culturally a more peaceful, educated and docile nation, that doesn't have the same socio-economic issues as the US... You can resort to name calling if you want but I know I'm none of those thing's and glad to live in a country that has very few guns and no armed police force, having lived in the US and other countries that do I can certainly tell you which I felt safer and more at peace in was not the US..

[@Marveh]

I see the point but would you not agree that America doesn't seem to have the same level what should we call it, responsibility? compared to the Swiss in this issue? Because there's already so many social issues in the US having guns so available really doesn't work. In comparison to a much more docile and culturally peaceful and frankly better educated nation like Switzerland not to sound like too anti-American.

[@dirttymason]

A person having a firearm is the difference in weak people being able to defend themselves or not. It's an equalizer...plus in the United States the places the have less gun laws and restrictions have fewer gun deaths and a solid percentage of those deaths are from lawful citizens protecting themselves from an attacker....that is a widely known fact...check out Switzerland...one of the lowest countries in the words for gun deaths.

[@Marveh]

Yea.. I'm the one trolling with facts and rational points. I have no need to have a gun as I don't see Ireland imposing martial law any time soon, or anywhere else in Europe, which is why I don't even see it as a valid question to answer. America's gun problems is a vicious circle. Because they're so widely available it's understandable why people feel the need to be armed. Which is why I'm happy I live in a country that has very few guns, and a unarmed police force.

[@Marveh]

It's a vicious circle, that's why I hope the UK and the rest of Europe retain their current much stricter gun laws. Sure people still get guns illegally but there far and few between in comparison to America, the gun crime stat's show it all. And while I don't think people should have the access to guns that you have in America, I understand why you would want to be armed when so many people are around you. It's a catch 22.

[@Marveh]

I agree both countries are police states, but I still find it hypocritical and ignorantly broad to say 'I'm so glad not to live in the prison we call 'England' considering this is just London for a brief period of time. caused by political pressure from places like the U.S. who see's the need for 500 FBI agents... You know what also look's like prisons? Prisons, and your country has more of them then anywhere else.

[@Marveh]

Yea thing's are certainly getting a bit too Orwellian for comfort. Like the Texas Rep. Party trying to ban critical thinking being taught in public schools. I understand what you're saying and agree I'm not claiming my country or anywhere in Europe is some utopian society with benevolent leaders, but on some issues when compared to the US, I think we still have more freedoms.

[@IllogicalMachine]

Well I can't defend anything anyone else has said, but I'm an American that's been studying OUR mess for a while and I can tell you; whatever rights ANY government seizes and whatever freedoms its people lose, when they go they're gone FOREVER. This is what I've learned being an American since 9/11...

[@HeyitsFrankinStoner]

i will utterly agree that the us is corrupt and has a control problem but the way i see it my country uses force where your uses surveillance its two ends to the same means my question to you is if martial law was imposed would a gun help you stay "free" and if not how/what would help you stay free?

[@cbmuzik3000]

This Stephen Bayley guy...I really enjoy listening to this guy....haha! Humorous intellect coupled with dashing, colorful commentary wrapped in overly-opinionated truth.

[@JoeShalam]

I find your use of Rome somewhat misguided. A reason Roman civilisation persevered for SO long was it's assimilation of other culture, and inclusion - right from the Sabines! Read Emperor Claudius's speech in Tacitus on admitting Gauls to the Senate. :)

[@Taziod]

When hes loads up and assault rifle, sure its a tool. A toll specifically designed to kill humans are 800 rounds per minute. You make a good point but he wasn't walking around with a hunting rifle. No body who "hunts" should get to buy a AR-15. Thats madness.

[@boomshizzIe]

im originally from russia but i grew up here. i go back every summer so i have life perspective from two VASTLY different worlds as opposed to my friends who have lived in the same neighborhoods their whole lives

[@TruthNugget85]

Oh my fuck. Did you see those missile systems. This techno thing is starting to get a bit spooky. Toss away your iPhones and turn off your televisions. Those companies help make those frigging scary contraptions

[@Marveh]

If you actually want to know about the Rep. Party's plan just google Texas ban critical thinking.. However you're name and nonsensical comment lead me to believe your just a troll. Not a very good one either.

[@Zidana123]

I'm talking about the laws that allow people to be arrested for comments they make over facebook and twitter. There's been quite a few of those in the last few days since the cleavermuslim attack.

[@JackMcMahonHD]

To be honest i don't see the fuss over the ceremony. We showed our history and used some fireworks, leaving money for the safety and security of a location where to be honest is vulnerable to threats.

[@mjones410]

distorted debased smurfs on key rings, lol, love Stephen Bayey

[@MrAfroShark]

I don't know why, but I'd love to talk to Leah Borromeo. She's seems like a cool, informed person. You don't really see a lot of people as informed as her.

[@Marveh]

You live in the states... Pot kettle black?... also most of England is fine, this is just London, and specifically for the Olympics usually it isn't that bad.

[@pr0stsh0cker]

lmfao those mascots are such shite. They'd sooner be the International Space Station's mascots than Londons. Abhorrent design.

[@Marveh]

Sure, I didn't intend for this to turn into a big debate with a bunch of people, I just wanted to correct one guy for a really over the top comment.

[@IIAMEilrahc]

I totally agree that its all cheap crap that they are flogging for money, and didn't the designer of the Olympics logo get a ridiculous sum of money?

[@CyanSheepMedia]

Wait? If there was a plane with a radioactive bomb and a missle shot it down what the hell do they think is gonna happen?

[@maaagicman]

Key word "tried" and failed. US likes its freedom and protects it as best as it can, there will always be threats, exterior and interior threats.

[@MrKickyourbutt]

Ah, I'm glad I live in America, where the right to peaceably assemble is a right covered by the Constitution. Have fun with your Gestapo bullshit.

[@skydog905]

At the Renascence festival there's a bunch of Morris dancers They're all my friends' dads, and they sound like reindeer when they walk around c:

[@monkeybike]

I really admired Vice for supporting so many ethical causes...that was until an advert for coka-cola popped up at the start of this video...

[@IllogicalMachine]

You may be right but it's pointless to nit-pick whom has more freedom than whom. Everywhere needs more freedom, everyone needs more liberties.

[@wojtekbear428]

Sorry my last comment had a typo in it. I meant to say that MuHAMmad (farts be upon him) is punishing you for not having adblock installed.

[@kenithish]

Honestly, I had never seen those missile stations before, and not to downplay the situation or anything, but those are fucking badass.

[@Marveh]

Having a country that is not so fucked up to begin with that they feel the need to put you under martial law? Like most European countries?

[@darkeststorm]

I don't know who thought that logo and mascot were in any way appealing o_O that author... ha, love his rant on the merchandise

[@Raivan31]

Go back far enough and pretty much all of us are from another place. If your born there then your from there. simple as that.

[@MadisonEverest]

i think stephen bayley ripping apart the tacky products is absolutely hilarious!

[@Adirondack13]

Werent people fearful of a Radical Islamic attack on the olympis? Security is a must. Sounds like a bunch of whiners to me.

[@PsychoSeal1]

4.22 YES ! ! ! ! ! I'd fucking love to live in a Ridley Scott wet dream !! you fucking hippie, bring on the future ! !

[@johnfranks]

That air defense missile turret looks broke! It kinda reminds me of the 70's era animatronic attractions at Disney World.

[@arevsteffen]

u all think London is in a bad position to host the olympics? wait until you see Brasil (Rio) in 2016 hahaha what a joke

[@KaKSaK08]

"a complete overkill for a sporting event" eh not really if anyone still remember munich 1972 and what black September did.

[@MyHipHopTunes]

A pin collecters meeting is just about the sadest fucking thing I've ever seen. Yikes...

[@shuggieeski426]

To the morris dancer: of course a woman would let you go on that ADVENTURE...as long as you let her go on hers!!!

[@dauphine719]

Stephen Bayley was on point even though he was super harsh. He and Charlie Brooker are my favorite type of men.

[@mailmeonline]

they are not required to do shit, you bring your gun back home from military service, that's all

[@MasterLeafVideos]

Beijing was better, admit it, the Olympics don't appeal to my age group (14-18), and they hyped it too much.

[@DesdinovaGW2]

wait... apartheid is also a word in the english language? i figured there would be another word for that.

[@jeebersjumpincryst]

I would only take 5 pins to the pin collectors meeting. they would be: can, i, have, your, phonenumber.

[@vanillastien]

Dude, when you can successfully please your hand, then you can try to get with her. You will still fail.

[@blood4snakebiteb253]

the guy at 7:40 is right, it's all about marketing, even tough it's junk. People will still buy it.

[@Marveh]

Also I don't see any other country sending over 500 FBI agents to protect there team, I rest my case.

[@DoubleDowner]

what a surprise... hippies in a drum circle making a racket complaining about 'the man'

[@toolthoughts]

just make a two hour special of Stephen Bayley spitting bile at idiotic commercialism

[@neferiusnexus]

4:40 ...i honestly thought the guy was being ironic about those missiles ...but Nope O.O xD

[@LifeStreamFreqs]

good point, though if i found such an adventurous spirit perhaps id take her with me..?

[@VeniceDevil23]

...because Vice definitely controls what advertisements youtube plays before videos

[@cbmuzik3000]

"is distorted, debased Smurfs that you can hang on key rings. Appalling."

[@Marveh]

In fact you have more people incarcerated than they are people in my country.

[@progfan71]

You seem to confuse the word "right" with privilege. Big difference.

[@toolthoughts]

"what the public, they think, needs is distorted, debased smurfs"

[@sanguinesurfer]

no no we have the RIGHT, its in the bill of RIGHTS not list of privileges

[@Dyl482]

WTF LOL 500 fbi agents coming over to defend the U.S athletes HOLY SHI TLOL

[@drflubert]

Haha, Stephen Bayley was going off on all that olympic merchandise

[@tstlz10]

holy shit thats alot of security lol i loved that air defense robot tho

[@Jex134]

What an asinine comment. There's no justification for fascism. Period.

[@KaKSaK08]

"would i feel safer if there where armed police every where?" eh yes.

[@RuffDiamond23]

It's not English, It's the peeps pulling the strings. BIG difference

[@5687678]

Seriously, what exactly is the meaning behind the 2012 Olympic logo?

[@firedbacon77]

You must be British or not have payed attention. Give it another go.

[@commanderkruge]

The Lancre Morrisk Dancers are the best. And most dangerous.

[@JochemHippie]

Really liked how they put the pin collectors right after him too XD

[@AtticusFink]

Have people not learned that drum circles never help your cause?

[@Dyl482]

lol wtf, anti air artillery to guard the olympic games in london?

[@eflorance]

why doesn't stephen bayley have his own review youtube channel

[@limitlessLtd]

I expected more from you vice, this was a terrible documentary

[@Nitruix]

i like the music during the militarization part. what is it?

[@cdlax93]

so g4s is basically a private security/mercenary corporation

[@EzThePker]

Until the government is overthrown or dissipates in some way.

[@CrankDemWatts]

Lol the ad before this was for the olympics. Nice one vice...