Assignment #5___Eric Snyder

Eric Snyder

Angry Bert:

Bert playing with his new toy

            Angry Bert is a meme that consists of Bert being photoshopped into many other pictures that resemble Bert being a part of something “evil.” Some examples include Bert holding up an American flag with a KKK member, riding in the car with Hitler, pointing a bazooka at the camera lens, or controlling the terminator.  There is no direct reason for why this originally took off.  Perhaps it was that when it was created in 1998, there was very little competition for humor on the Internet.  Also, most of the users on the Internet were younger and more tech savvy, making the proportion of Internet users more likely to have experienced Sesame Street in their childhood, and thus could relate to the humor of the posts.

            Originally, "Bert is Evil," was created by Dino Ignacio as postings aimed at providing small comic relief.  Ignacio would post a picture on his “Bert is Evil” website accompanied by a slight reasoning behind why Bert is evil in each situation.   Ignacio decided to open up his humor to participation.  He couldn’t afford the site once there was too much traffic, so he offered to let some other people join in the fun.  According to Knowyourmeme.com, Ignacio offered anyone who is willing to mirror his posts permission from his website, causing many other interpretations to take off. (www.knowyourmeme.com/mems/Bertisevil)  

Spin off "Bert is Evil,"

Unfortunately, Google-trends only have information dating back to February of 2004.   In 2004 it was search saturation was high with traffic stemming mostly from the Netherlands, with the US, UK, and Canada also providing large amounts of searches.  However, April of 2004 it has been on a steady decline with spikes here and there yet never reaching the fame it experiences in 2004. 

            In 2001 “Bert is Evil” was even used for profit when a company superimposed Bert hanging out with Osama Bin Laden on a propaganda poster in Bangladesh.  According to “know your meme,” Sesame Street workers were forced to send out a statement that condemned the use of Bert without their permission.  “Sesame Street has always stood for mutual respect and understanding.  We’re outraged that our characters would be used in the unfortunate and disrespectful manner.” (BBC News) 

            Even though Sesame Street has put a damper on Bert is Evil, and Google trends shows its decline, there are numerous spin offs and you tube videos that have surfaced referencing the power that the meme held.  Dino himself was even interviewed on “Internet Super Star” where they asked him about his creation of site, and his winning of the Webby Award for best weird Website, showing that once you create an oddly successful meme, you will be remembered kindly by Internet lovers and procrastinators everywhere.

Works Cited

"Bert Is Evil! - Image #121,033." Know Your Meme News. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.

"BERT IS EVIL - The Only Official Evil Portal." BERT IS EVIL - The Only Official Evil Portal. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.

"Bert Is Evil!" Know Your Meme News. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.

"Internet Superstar - Episode 29 - Bert Is Evil!" YouTube. YouTube, 20 Aug. 2008. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.