Pepper spraying The Beatles? Occupy protest cop becomes an internet craze
Call it the Meme Movement.
Whatever degree of success achieved by the Occupy protests, it's largely been based on its old-fashioned, off-line demonstrations. They've been decidedly physical, as in, non-virtual- staking out real ground in downtown Manhattan's Zuccotti Park and forging signs-and-sit-in protests around the country.
Some of its founding members even disdain online interaction.
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Among other reasons, the protests are a landmark event because they are the country's first large-scale demonstrations led largely by a generation raised on the Internet.
Unsurprisingly, their internet roots started to show.
The protests went viral, but they've also spawned all kinds of more playful Internet memes that highlight the dual nature of the Web to an American protest movement.
Though the Internet is an essential tool for amplifying a message, it inevitably leads toward frivolity and parody.
Whereas much was made of how social media aided the uprising in Egypt, the same tools have commonly been used for jokes when it comes to the Occupy Wall Street protests.
Earlier this week, the University of California-Davis police officer who casually swept a line of campus protesters with pepper spray became a viral sensation.
The officer, whose name is Lieutenant John Pike but who's known simply as 'Pepper Spraying Cop' online, was captured on video dousing the faces of sitting protesters.
The footage is remarkable for his seemingly cavalier disposition.
The meme positions the officer pepper-spraying famous figures through history, movies, famous paintings and just about anything else. George Washington crossing the Potomac gets it, and so does Jesus at the Last Supper. Even the hobbits of 'Lord of the Rings' get sprayed.
The essential point of the manipulated images is to highlight the absurd nature of the spraying, an apparently callous authority meting out punishment.
This kind of meme – unlike the viral protests themselves – runs counter to the movement's seriousness.
It is amusing satire, but instead of shouts of injustice, the meme gleefully separates from reality.
Meanwhile, UC Davis students are doing more than snickering at Internet photos.
They've gathered to condemn the violence and urged university officials to require police to attend sensitivity training.
Mr Pike, along with another officer and the campus police chief have been placed on paid administrative leave.
There have been other goofy online reverberations, too.
On Amazon.com, ironic reviews of pepper spray have been written. Five stars, reads one: 'Accept no substitutes when casually repressing students'. The comedy website FunnyOrDie.com gathered the reviews together.
An earlier video of a marriage proposal at Zuccotti Park has been seen by more than 108,000 on YouTube. The clip is titled 'Occupy My Life.'
One image of a cat bears a note: 'I am the 99 purrcent.' Yes, even the Occupy movement has its own LOLcats.
Other variations include Occupy Mordor (again with the 'Lord of the Rings') and Occupy Sesame Street. Says the Cookie Monster: '99 percent of the world's cookies are consumed by the 1 percent of the monsters'.
Whatever degree of success achieved by the Occupy protests, it's largely been based on its old-fashioned, off-line demonstrations. They've been decidedly physical, as in, non-virtual- staking out real ground in downtown Manhattan's Zuccotti Park and forging signs-and-sit-in protests around the country.
Some of its founding members even disdain online interaction.
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO
Artistic interpretation: Occupy protesters have uploaded Lt. John Pike's photo into famous images
Not the same: Leonardo DiCaprio was added in Lt Pike's place, with his demeanour poking fun of Pike's lax attitude
Among other reasons, the protests are a landmark event because they are the country's first large-scale demonstrations led largely by a generation raised on the Internet.
Unsurprisingly, their internet roots started to show.
The protests went viral, but they've also spawned all kinds of more playful Internet memes that highlight the dual nature of the Web to an American protest movement.
Though the Internet is an essential tool for amplifying a message, it inevitably leads toward frivolity and parody.
Cavalier: Lt. John Pike sprayed a row of peaceful protesters on the UC-Davis campus on November 18
Activists: Some took a more political undertone, saying that Mr Pike was destroying American values
The Last Supper: Even Jesus isn't spared from Mr Pike's spray in this Photoshoped meme
Earlier this week, the University of California-Davis police officer who casually swept a line of campus protesters with pepper spray became a viral sensation.
The officer, whose name is Lieutenant John Pike but who's known simply as 'Pepper Spraying Cop' online, was captured on video dousing the faces of sitting protesters.
The footage is remarkable for his seemingly cavalier disposition.
Taking to the streets: Pike is the fourth Beatle in this mock up of their Abbey Road album cover
The meme positions the officer pepper-spraying famous figures through history, movies, famous paintings and just about anything else. George Washington crossing the Potomac gets it, and so does Jesus at the Last Supper. Even the hobbits of 'Lord of the Rings' get sprayed.
The essential point of the manipulated images is to highlight the absurd nature of the spraying, an apparently callous authority meting out punishment.
This kind of meme – unlike the viral protests themselves – runs counter to the movement's seriousness.
Light attitude: Chief Wiggum from The Simpsons made an appearance on the UC-Davis campus
Cheesy for sure: The Cheetos spokesman stopped by the California campus as well
Not that kind of pepper: Pepper spray stings the eyes and must be treated right away
The force: Many have called into question the matter of police brutality at peaceful protests in wake of Pike's actions
Meanwhile, UC Davis students are doing more than snickering at Internet photos.
They've gathered to condemn the violence and urged university officials to require police to attend sensitivity training.
Mr Pike, along with another officer and the campus police chief have been placed on paid administrative leave.
Famous images: This submission has dubbed Pike into this Pulitzer Prize-winning photo from the Vietnam War
Founding fathers: Lt. Pike takes aim at George Washington in a historic painting of the country's first Presidet
No religious discrimination: Pepper spray is switched with gasoline in this fiery picture
On Amazon.com, ironic reviews of pepper spray have been written. Five stars, reads one: 'Accept no substitutes when casually repressing students'. The comedy website FunnyOrDie.com gathered the reviews together.
An earlier video of a marriage proposal at Zuccotti Park has been seen by more than 108,000 on YouTube. The clip is titled 'Occupy My Life.'
Cause for a Scream: Lt Pike makes a cameo in Edvard Munch's famous painting
Teaching a valuable lesson: One jokester makes a meme that has Lt Pike at a fictional career day with young children
Other variations include Occupy Mordor (again with the 'Lord of the Rings') and Occupy Sesame Street. Says the Cookie Monster: '99 percent of the world's cookies are consumed by the 1 percent of the monsters'.
Stings like a bee: Both Mohammed Ali and Lt. Pike take Sonny Liston down in this famous image
All powerful: Pike takes on the role of the wonderful Wizard of Oz in this mock up of the legendary film
Dancing: After a long day of pepper spraying, Lt Pike just likes to tear it up on the ballroom floor, obviously
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