THE YES MEN AND ACTIVISM IN THE INFORMATION ... - Index of

Another tactic employed by RTMark, which was later partially abandoned upon creation
of the Yes Men, is the use of anonymity. Not only are the “company’s” creators anonymous,
but also its workers and investors, which allows the group more freedom and scope with which
to mount a freer critique of the capitalist system. Since visitors are allowed to post ideas
anonymously or with a pseudonym, they can be as revolutionary as they like without fear of
legal repercussions. RTMark’s alleged status as a corporation also acts as a buffer against legal
ramification for some of the group’s actions that may be construed as illegal. Vamos and Servin
sheltered themselves from possible prosecution as well by adopting the pseudonyms Frank
Guerrero and Ray Thomas, respectively. This transmogrification of identity also marks a trend
that leads up to and extends into their work as the Yes Men, that of the spawning of humorous
and seemingly nonsensical alter-egos. As the Yes Men, their identities evolve into Mike Bonanno
and Andy Bichlbaum. Some other titles Vamos and Servin also claim to have operated under,
which illustrate the ridiculous nature of their pranks, include “Dr. Andreas Bichlbauer, Granwyth
Hulatberri-Hulatberri Smith, Guy MaCabre, Hortense Ashaires, Bigguns Carmichael, Louper
Garoux, Felix Bitwinder III, Dorris Malbector, Lance Mastercar, Bill Butts, Hope Hopps, Henk
Hunk Hamfirster, Man Mandingo, Burt Bactaderth, Fillius Bilaterus, Monk Hoarfeather, [and]
HRH Prince Chalsotkovitch Belarovitch-Haskell Price Beckingham III.” 23
23 Quote taken from email correspondence of March 1, 2005, in which Bonanno (Vamos) also added that “you can
call us ‘Mom.’”
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