The White House's Insta

It is completely and utterly insane. I don’t really know how else to put it. It’s a parody. It’s satire. It’s American life as we know it today. Unhinged, as they say. But, objectively, it’s brilliant.

I mean, it’s obscene, repugnant and completely apathetic to anyone or anything that doesn’t conform to the sitting president’s antiquated and narrow-minded view of the world, but that, combined with a far more youthful approach to content, maybe it’s going to work? And by work, I mean bolster the views of those already over there in the far right and possibly turn those on the fence, i.e. younger voters fed up with an ageing government that doesn’t “get” them, and certainly doesn’t do enough to interact with them or do anything that shows even the slightest chutzpah. I’m not suggesting that memes alone are enough to turn the mind of a young voter, but … then again, maybe it will.

Below is a selection of posts that surprised me so much I took a screenshot. I’m sure there will be plenty more.

OK, adding this great paragraph by the brilliant Ryan Boderick (my bold):

“The Trump administration is not just occupying cities with soldiers and ICE officers, but creating flashpoints for propaganda. Every eventual showdown on the streets of a Democratic city is first teased by hysterical X posts from Trump administration members, Trump supporters and militias face off against local protesters, and then the chaos is livestreamed and clipped by right-wing influencers that just so happen to have the budgets to fly from city to city following the circus. And, of course, Fox News scoops up the best bits and packages them for viewers at home. Finally, the official X account for the Department of Homeland Security does a victory lap, collecting the best footage for a stupid music video about how they’re keeping us all safe. It’s the exact same playbook that was used for Trump’s endless rallies during his first term. The Trump hurricane comes to town and viral content and political violence follows in its wake. The key innovation of his second term is figuring out how to both scale the localized MAGA frenzy beyond just him and, also, most importantly, figure out a way to force it on blue states.”

To be crystal clear, I do not agree with anything (literally, anything) coming out of that government.

Free Trip Home For Christmas

Anthon Berg have this whole generosity thing going, which I've always liked. It's a bit different, it's clever, and it works. I really liked their TV spot from three years (!) ago.  Anyway, back to 2014. This year, and I think they did it last year too, they're offering students a free train ride home. There are two routes, which together cover most of Denmark, and are two-way of course. All you have to do is produce a valid student card, and share the generosity, which I presume - being students - means bring crisps and beer to share. 

I think it's a wonderful idea. 

A Week of Internet Goodness

I've been really slack in blogging recently, so instead of fretting about it, I've decided to do one post a week on Fridays (unless I really can't wait with something). So here's the first week. Enjoy.

Thanks to Guy, for that. 

Handy VLC tricks, like recording your desktop and downloading YouTube videos. 

John Lewis' 2014 Christmas ad, by Adam & Eve, makes me tear up - again - but I did think it was going to be worse. I did think it was going to go full Calvin and Hobbes, which would have ruined my computer, but thankfully it didn't. 

Russell Brand meets Blur.

Snoop Dogg likes to grow giant vegetables, apparently.

The world's first first person POV action film. 

Like Eminem and The Beatles? Try 'em mashed up together. Sounds mad, but it works. 

You remember Catvertising? John St., the agency behind it, is back. It's super fucking fast content creation. 

It's the analogue digital version of leaving a crap in a brown paper bag on someone's doorstep and setting fire to it. Or something. 

The weirdest thing you'll see this week, I guarantee it.