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Yes Man?Updated, 15.31
HIS APPEARANCE on the BBC News Channel is already a viral hit, but independent trader Alessio Rastani – if that is his real name – may have pulled the wool over the world’s eyes with a remarkably convincing ruse.
It’s speculated that Rastani – who appeared on BBC News yesterday to admit that he dreams of recessions, as they present a great money-making opportunity – may be a member of The Yes Man, a well-known culture jamming group.
The group has this afternoon published a blog post asserting that Rastani isn’t a member of the group, which is known for its brilliantly elaborate media-screwing ruses.
The BBC has also issued a statement, asserting that after “detailed investigations” it cannot find any evidence to suggest that the interview with Rastani was a hoax.
“He is an independent market trader and one of a range of voices we’ve had on air to talk about the recession,” the broadcaster said.
The claim seemed to have two bases: firstly, that his remarks were so repugnant in the eyes of some, that they’re bordering on satire – Rastani appears to be so money-driven, it may appear, that he cannot possibly be real.
The other was based on a video clip from another BBC broadcast, where Yes Men co-founder Andy Bichlbaum poses as a spokesman for the Dow Chemical company.
In that video – posing as Dow ‘spokesman’ “Jude Finisterra” – Bichlbaum appeared to accept responsibility for a Dow chemical spill 20 years ago.
Some readers had noted that Finisterra seems to look quite similar to Rastani – and if you play the two videos side by side, the two men do seem to have quite similar vocal tones.
If Rastani is a fictional character, the Yes Men have put a lot of work into him: his Twitter account has been active for around two years, while his blog LeadingTrader.com was set up in February 2010.
Not only that, but he’s also been quoted in an article on France24 – when he explained the difficulties that people in his native Iran have in trying to find love.
[Update: Thanks to the reader who sent in this link, with comments attributed to Rastani who seems to be a fan of the works of Hector Berlioz.]
Such intense advance planning wouldn’t be unknown for The Yes Men, however – in fact, one of the group’s hallmarks is the extent it will go to to pull off one of its stunts.
Update 2: Forbes.com reporter Emily Lambert has spoken to Rastani on the phone today to try and sound out whether he’s real or not; this is her article.
Here are the two videos, side by side:
Do you think Alessio Rastani is a Yes Man?
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Dense drivers ain’t gonna help either.
Heavy fog on way to work. Of the 100s of cars I saw only 2 had fog lights on. Talk about dense – in every sense of the word!
@Patrice Ahern: I Hope they turn them off when fog has lifted
@Philip Murphy: that’s the problem, some don’t. You regularly see some thickos have their front fog lights on 24/7, no matter the weather. Maybe they think it makes them look ‘brighter’ (I’ll get my coat) in
@Patrice Ahern: If you can see the cars ahead without the foglights, foglights are not needed. It’s really dense to use foglights on bumper to bumper traffic blinding everybody behind you where you can see the queue ahead anyway.
@Sami Hentunen: Correct, fog lights should be used like full headlights, turn them on and off as required but that won’t happen…
@Patrice Ahern: I’d hazard a guess they weren’t driving any slower than usual either.
Never mind the fog it’s an ice rink in Navan, move over ice man of 2010…. there is a new kid in town….me lol ouch
No fog here in West Cork and all Priority 1 and Priority 2 roads gritted. Well done to Cork Co. Co!!
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: How did Cork Co Co get rid of the fog? Please let us know, don’t be keeping all the secrets in Cork
@Denis Conroy: Maybe they sold it on eBay?
My favourite part of the article was tonight is described as “very cold” by met eireann .. just had a vision of fr ted talking to dougal
I live in Dublin and there was no fog or frost this morning
@Gerry R: Good job you told us!
@Gerry R: the sea breeze rose the coastal temperature above freezing
This is the time they won’t turn on their fog lights.
Everyday is a fog day in my head.
Tipping minus 8 for last few nights in w cork. Just about made 2degrees for an hour and heading south again. The light showers today will make roads lethal by 8pm. For God’s sake stay at home and only travel for emergency. Your worth it.
I’m working from home tomorrow, thank god. I almost broke my neck on numerous occasions this morning.
@Gavin Gray: Slow down my man,there’s no need to go at break neck speed.
@Gavin Gray: Get ice grips at least, it’s lethal underfoot without them.
@F Fitzgerald: Hi FF,good to see ya again. Well,that broke the ice
You wouldn’t be long getting frost bit.
Coldplay. It was all yellow.
jaysus it’s called winter.. natin to do with klimaat change..
Children in Gaza sleeping in DIY tents. How cold is that? israel
@Barry Williams. Those sheep are cold, the one’s over there are far far colder.
@P. V. Aglue: It’s nice to have a happy ewe near
Snowing in my part of Wexford now… 0145
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