#MeToo for microblogging
The past few days have seen a more-than-justified uproar of the sexual harassment cases across Indian media and the film industry. We saw Anurag Kashyap — finally — make up his mind and announce via Twitter the dissolvement of Phantom Films, given the long-existing accusations against his former partner Vikas Bahl.
Over the weekend, we saw author Chetan Bhagat caught out by some seriously incriminating screenshots, where he was harassing a young woman over text. Having been caught out, he issued an apology through Facebook.
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A secondary discussion has branched out too: the #MeToo online movement highlights how microblogging sites such as Twitter and Instagram are a go-to platform for storytelling. Uncensored by mainstream media, men and women who’ve experienced or witnessed harassment are rightfully joining cyber-hands and not letting this issue go. It’s more than a hashtag, after all, and I imagine that’s exactly what #MeToo founder Tarana Burke hoped for.
Banksy in the bag
Leave it to Banksy to tell the hyper-commercialised side of the art community that he needs no part in it. After ‘selling’ his iconic Girl With Balloon canvas for £1 million, in a suspiciously chunky frame, the artwork fed itself into the frame… which turned out to be a shredder.
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The shredding took place live at the auction in which the artwork was sold, with Banksy uploading a video of the horror spreading across the auctioneers and buyers’ faces, and calling said video ‘Going, going, gone,’ which has been viewed over 7 million times on this post alone.
On the artist’s Instagram, he’s seen nothing short of praise for his non-verbal statement. The video also narrates his years-long plan where he’d initially installed a shredder in the frame. One user Mike Sorrent says, “Even though the auctioneer/bidder was likely in on it, it is still a powerful statement. Makes me want to add more artistry in my games!” Another excited comment: “Spoiled elite rich pricks wanting what they can never have.” I wonder what the buyer did with the shreds…
A monkey can do it
From a commuter perspective, bus drivers aren’t the best at the wheel. In Davanagere in Karnataka, over the weekend, a bus driver was sacked because, well, he let a monkey have full control of the wheel.
Said bus had about 30 passengers in it as a Langur steered the bus with the human driver at the seat, gleefully observing the monkey take on a usually-human task.
While most commenters were angry that this even happened in the first place, there are always a few who are react differently. “If we use buffaloes and horses, why can’t you let a monkey drive a bus?” Not sure that’s how it works, but do check the driver’s seat next time.
Rants and ramblings across cyberspace