While plenty of companies have taken a stance on net neutrality, none have accomplished a protest quite like YouTuber Rob Bliss. Bliss' simple demonstration was posted on his YouTube channel and featured the single protester riding a bike slowly outside the FCC headquarters in Washington, DC. In the video, Bliss would ride his bike in the only available traffic lane in an effort to '"throttle" traffic. He would allow driver to pass him, or he would speed up, if he was paid a $5 fee. Bliss' was eventually stopped by police, but Bliss has stated that they were very patient with his form of activism.
Protests and demonstrations like the ones from Rob Bliss not only illustrate the concept of net neutrality, but also manage to achieve something larger corporations are incapable of. Being a free agent and not tied to a large organization, Bliss was able to engage in legal gray areas and could protest in a more direct and observable way. YouTube and other social media sites have been amazing platforms for protest and thanks to humorous videos like this, the message of net neutrality continues to reach a wider audience.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Humorous Protest Videos
- The trend of using humor in protests can be a disruptive opportunity for activists to reach a wider audience and garner support for their cause.
- Individual Activism
- The trend of individuals taking matters into their own hands can present opportunities for businesses to partner with activists and support their causes while staying true to their brand values.
- Social Media Activism
- The trend of using social media platforms for activism can provide an opportunity for businesses to engage with consumers who value social justice and drive positive change through their products or services.
Sectors Adopting This
- Social Media
- Social media platforms can leverage the trend of social media activism to empower individuals and groups to advocate for their causes and engage with their community in a meaningful way.
- Marketing
- The trend of humorous protest videos can present a disruptive opportunity for marketers to create compelling campaigns that resonate with consumers and drive positive change.
- Technology
- The trend of individual activism can foster opportunities for technology companies to create tools and platforms that empower individuals to make a difference and create social impact on their own terms.
