Why you should create some fake news

Today was one of the first mornings in a long time that I read the news and smiled. I actually couldn’t wait until my partner woke up so I could share this fleeting moment of amusement with him.

Amid the daily pummel of catastrophes was an article about real fake news. Yesterday The Yes Men, activists who gain attention and make change by pulling elaborate pranks, distributed thousands of copies of a fake May 1, 2019, Washington Post with the headline:

 

You can read about it here and read it for yourself here.

Now, whether you’re for or against Trump is irrelevant to understand my point in this blog post. I’m not arguing politics here.

What I am asserting is that you can learn a lot from The Yes Men.

Your organization is about making change. 

You may be solving hunger, ending infant mortality, curing cancer, or even opening up audiences’ minds to new music or art.

You’re after new behavior and a changed world.

So are The Yes Men.

They have deployed a great tool—design fiction—that carries and situates readers in the future so we can begin to imagine change.

Each of the fake articles probes that future from a new angle. Each reports what happens, the response from around the world, what led to the change, and many other (fake) details. 

These articles take us deeper into this future world where change is happening and tactically imagine for us all the steps and players and movements involved, plus likely impact.

Besides being effective, it’s also pretty darn bold and that’s what I love the most.  Yes, they made a lot of people pretty upset.

And isn't that the point?

Here’s my question for you:

What bold plans do you have for 2019 that will grab people by the collars and shake them to pay attention to your cause? To imagine the change you’re trying to create? To envision the new world you want to bring forth? And to join your movement?