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** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]] has Ben’s character Tim being flagged as a potential future offender based on a seemingly innocuous social media post about getting mustard on his pants. He spends the rest of the video despairing over what exactly was wrong with the post, and trying to run away from a [[StealthPun smear campaign]] and ostracism against people covered in mustard. Whether that last one was real or [[ThroughTheEyesOfMadness just in his head]] is not made very clear.
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** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]] has Ben’s character Tim being flagged as a potential future offender based on a seemingly innocuous social media post about getting mustard on his pants. He spends the rest of the video despairing obsessing over what exactly was wrong with the post, and trying to run away from a [[StealthPun smear campaign]] and ostracism against people covered in mustard. Whether that last one was real or [[ThroughTheEyesOfMadness just in his head]] is not made very clear.
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* IneffectualLoner: Alienation is a recurring theme for Ben’s characters, though usually not for lack of trying; it is explicitly mentioned in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8OnoxKotPQ "Microservices"]] (where his character speaks of DyingAlone), but also visible in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]] (where he plays a productivity-obsessed social media addict), [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICp2-EUKQAI the second MAKRO sketch]] (where he shows some mostly empty birthday party attendance spreadsheets) and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]] (where he tries to strike up a casual conversation with remote workers to dead silence).
to:
* IneffectualLoner: Alienation is a recurring theme for Ben’s characters, though usually not for lack of trying; it is explicitly mentioned in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8OnoxKotPQ "Microservices"]] (where his character speaks of DyingAlone), but also visible in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]] (where he plays a productivity-obsessed social media addict), [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICp2-EUKQAI the second MAKRO sketch]] (where he shows some mostly empty birthday party attendance spreadsheets) and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]] (where he tries to strike up a casual conversation with remote workers to dead silence). The grandpa in [[https://youtu.be/KiPQdVC5RHU "AI Boyfriend"]] also lives alone, and though he seems to be still on speaking terms with his granddaughter, their relationship is rapidly deteriorating.
* SliceOfLife: "The Hustle" is essentially a DeconstructiveParody.
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* SpiritualSuccessor: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]] is this to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8F1zoTeHqU "Posting Online"]], playing on the same themes of the spread of extremism on social media.
to:
* SpiritualSuccessor: SpiritualAntithesis: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]] is this to plays on similar themes as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8F1zoTeHqU "Posting Online"]], playing on but where the same themes of the spread of extremism latter satirized what looks like grassroots, vaguely right-wing libertarian populist "MAGA" culture, "Content Moderation" focuses on social media.institutional liberal cancel culture that constantly looks for dog whistles and targets to vilify, and if one is not found, [[CreateYourOwnVillain makes one up]] from among their own ranks.
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* MindScrew: Though many sketches are pretty straightforward {{satire}}, some of them are [[WhatDoYouMeanItWasntMadeOnDrugs fairly abstract and hard to interpret]], balancing on the line between SurrealHorror or SurrealHumor (depending on your disposition); particularly "Notifications", "Senior Engineer" and the "Computer Time" series.
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* MindScrew: Though many sketches are pretty straightforward {{satire}}, some of them are [[WhatDoYouMeanItWasntMadeOnDrugs fairly abstract and hard to interpret]], interpret, balancing on the line between SurrealHorror or SurrealHumor (depending on your disposition); particularly "Notifications", "Senior Engineer" and the "Computer Time" series.
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** When he later purchases an energy drink by the spambot he matched with, at the bottom of the order form there is a marked checkbox labelled "YES! Make this a recurring purchase every month"
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** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqjUlmkYr2g "Designer's Table"]], a mini-{{mockumentary}} about a plastic mat for standing desk users (and also the mat’s [[ReclusiveArtist designer]] and [[{{sequel}} successor]]), talks about its subject as if it’s a work of [[TrueArt high art]].
to:
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqjUlmkYr2g "Designer's Table"]], a mini-{{mockumentary}} about a plastic mat for standing desk users mat (and also the mat’s [[ReclusiveArtist designer]] and [[{{sequel}} successor]]), talks about its subject as if it’s a work of [[TrueArt high art]].
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Added DiffLines:
* ActorAllusion: "AI Boyfriend" mentions that Ben's RacistGrandpa character used to work at Amazon. This is actually true of Ben himself.
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* {{Cyberpunk}}: {{Downplayed}}. A number of sketches ("Videochat", "Virtual Coachella", "Content Moderation", "The Hustle", but most visibly "AI Boyfriend") explore themes familiar from cyberpunk works (alienation, corporate overreach, TechnoDystopia), without necessarily falling into all the aesthetic and worldbuilding trappings of the genre. The whole channel could be summarized as "the world as if about to become cyberpunk, except done as comedy-drama instead of a thriller".
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* DownerEnding: pretty much every sketch end either in this, or in a GainaxEnding.
* FreezeFrameBonus:
** When the protagonist of "Virtual Coachella" receives a notification about being matched with a date, he is standing in a queue for a free [=iPhone=].
* FreezeFrameBonus:
** When the protagonist of "Virtual Coachella" receives a notification about being matched with a date, he is standing in a queue for a free [=iPhone=].
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* RacistGrandpa: {{Parodied}} in [[https://youtu.be/KiPQdVC5RHU "AI Boyfriend"]], where Ben's character is depicted as prejudiced against… an artificial intelligence dating his granddaughter.
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* SpecialGuest: [[https://youtu.be/KiPQdVC5RHU "AI Boyfriend"]] stars Alexis Gay as the granddaughter Alice, and Nikhil Krishnan (who previously appeared as the product manager in "Microservices", and cameo'd in "IETF Celebrates the Standards") as the eponymous boyfriend.
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Changed line(s) 36 (click to see context) from:
* SoreLoser: The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICp2-EUKQAI second MAKRO sketch]] has the protagonist (a parody of competititve gaming streamers), half-heartedly congratulate his opponent [=V1K4S=] at the Ballmercon tournament, and then indirectly [[NeverMyFault blame jet lag, flu, cramps, not having eaten, emotional disturbance from reading a news article, and later even Microsoft]] for his failure; anything to avoid admitting he failed at keeping up his skills at a competitive level.
to:
* SoreLoser: The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICp2-EUKQAI second MAKRO sketch]] has the protagonist (a parody of competititve gaming streamers), half-heartedly congratulate [=V1K4S=], his opponent [=V1K4S=] at from the Ballmercon tournament, and then indirectly [[NeverMyFault blame jet lag, flu, cramps, not having eaten, emotional disturbance from reading a news article, and later even Microsoft]] for his failure; anything to avoid admitting he failed at keeping up his skills at a competitive level.
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Changed line(s) 36 (click to see context) from:
* SoreLoser: The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICp2-EUKQAI second MAKRO sketch]] has the protagonist (a parody of competititve gaming streamers), half-heartedly congratulate his opponent V1K4S at the Ballmercon tournament, and then indirectly [[NeverMyFault blame jet lag, flu, cramps, not having eaten, emotional disturbance from reading a news article, and later even Microsoft]] for his failure; anything to avoid admitting he failed at keeping up his skills at a competitive level.
to:
* SoreLoser: The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICp2-EUKQAI second MAKRO sketch]] has the protagonist (a parody of competititve gaming streamers), half-heartedly congratulate his opponent V1K4S [=V1K4S=] at the Ballmercon tournament, and then indirectly [[NeverMyFault blame jet lag, flu, cramps, not having eaten, emotional disturbance from reading a news article, and later even Microsoft]] for his failure; anything to avoid admitting he failed at keeping up his skills at a competitive level.
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* ShrinkingViolet: Ross in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHW58D-_O64 "Developer Platform Update"]] is extremely shy, to the point of hiding his head behind a monstera plant. He doesn’t even bother correcting the host when the latter mispronounces his name as "Ross Elephant".
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* ShrinkingViolet: Ross [=LeFontaine=] in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHW58D-_O64 "Developer Platform Update"]] is extremely shy, to the point of hiding his head behind a monstera plant. He doesn’t even bother correcting the host when the latter mispronounces his name as "Ross Elephant".
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* SoreLoser: The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICp2-EUKQAI second MAKRO sketch]] has the protagonist (a parody of competititve gaming streamers), half-heartedly congratulate his opponent V1K4S at the Ballmercon tournament, and then indirectly [[NeverMyFault blame jet lag, flu, cramps, not having eaten, emotional disturbance from reading a news article, and later even Microsoft]] for his failure; anything to avoid admitting he failed at keeping up his skills at a competitive level.
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Changed line(s) 18 (click to see context) from:
* {{Catchphrase}}: The turn-of-phrase "[take it to the] next level" recurs in a number of otherwise-unrelated sketches: "Developer Platform Update", "MAKRO | XLOOKUP: META BREAKER?" and "Microservices".
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* {{Catchphrase}}: The turn-of-phrase "[take it to the] next level" recurs in a number of otherwise-unrelated sketches: "Developer Platform Update", "MAKRO | XLOOKUP: META BREAKER?" both MAKRO sketches and "Microservices".
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* {{Cyberspace}}: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67sfZfreOrU "Virtual Coachella"]] presents a DeconstructiveParody version of virtual reality, full of [[StylisticSuck underwhelming graphics]], [[AnnoyingPopUpAd omnipresent sponsorships and advertising]], [[BigBrotherIsWatching corporate surveillance]], [[ForcedMeme unfunny memes]], [[ComicallyWordyContract unreadably long terms of service]], [[ThereAreNoGirlsOnTheInternet spambots pretending to be hot girls]] and [[ObstructiveBureaucracy Kafkaesque moderation policies]].
* TheMetaverse: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67sfZfreOrU "Virtual Coachella"]] presents a DeconstructiveParody version of virtual reality, full of [[StylisticSuck underwhelming graphics]], [[AnnoyingPopUpAd omnipresent sponsorships and advertising]], [[BigBrotherIsWatching corporate surveillance]], [[ForcedMeme unfunny memes]], [[ComicallyWordyContract unreadably long terms of service]], [[ThereAreNoGirlsOnTheInternet spambots pretending to be hot girls]] and [[DisproportionateRetribution excessively enforced]], [[ObstructiveBureaucracy Kafkaesque moderation policies]].
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** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqjUlmkYr2g "Designer's Table"]], a mini-{{mockumentary}} about a plastic mat for standing desk users (and also the mat’s [[ReclusiveArtist designer]] and [[{{sequel}} successor]]), talks about its subject as if it’s a work of high art.
to:
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqjUlmkYr2g "Designer's Table"]], a mini-{{mockumentary}} about a plastic mat for standing desk users (and also the mat’s [[ReclusiveArtist designer]] and [[{{sequel}} successor]]), talks about its subject as if it’s a work of [[TrueArt high art.art]].
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* SmartPeopleWearGlasses: {{Parodied}} in "Designer's Table", where the furniture critic Sajib wears [[PurelyAestheticGlasses glass frames without any spectacles]].
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[[https://www.youtube.com/@KRAZAM/videos KRAZAM]] is a comedy duo based in Brooklyn, New York, consisting of Shiva Kilaru and Benjamin Burke. Their [[IrregularSeries sporadically-updated]] [=YouTube=] channel consists of sketches combining grotesque, absurdist humor with [[TechDystopia technological anxiety]] to produce a pointed {{satire}} of the tech industry, modern alienation and corporate life in general.
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[[https://www.youtube.com/@KRAZAM/videos KRAZAM]] is a comedy duo based in Brooklyn, New York, consisting of Shiva Kilaru and Benjamin Burke. Their [[IrregularSeries sporadically-updated]] [=YouTube=] channel consists of sketches combining grotesque, absurdist humor with [[TechDystopia [[TechnoDystopia technological anxiety]] to produce a pointed {{satire}} of the tech industry, modern alienation and corporate life in general.
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Changed line(s) 1,2 (click to see context) from:
[[https://www.youtube.com/@KRAZAM/videos KRAZAM]] is a comedy duo based in Brooklyn, New York, consisting of Shiva Kilaru and Benjamin Burke. Their [[IrregularSeries sporadically-updated]] [=YouTube=] channel consists of sketches combining grotesque, absurdist humor with technological anxiety to produce a pointed {{satire}} of the tech industry, modern alienation and corporate life in general.
to:
[[https://www.youtube.com/@KRAZAM/videos KRAZAM]] is a comedy duo based in Brooklyn, New York, consisting of Shiva Kilaru and Benjamin Burke. Their [[IrregularSeries sporadically-updated]] [=YouTube=] channel consists of sketches combining grotesque, absurdist humor with [[TechDystopia technological anxiety anxiety]] to produce a pointed {{satire}} of the tech industry, modern alienation and corporate life in general.
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* {{Absurdism}}: Absurdist themes recur in many of the sketches ("The Hustle", "Microservices", "Notifications"), but by far the most explicit is the [[https://twitter.com/krazamtv/status/1114277961144909824 GIF with an alternative version]] of a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJwPb_76jqU&t=2m7s fragment of their "Notifications" sketch]] pinned on their Twitter feed; the GIF has Ben’s character cheerfully dismiss a notification reading "EXISTENCE IS MEANINGLESS".
* AchievementMockery: Gamification of non-gaming spaces is [[DeconstructiveParody mocked]] in "Virtual Coachella": after the protagonist’s account is terminated, we see a list of achievements he has managed to earn, most of which relate to being subjected to advertising in one way or another: "Meme God" (consenting to using his personal data for some vaguely-defined data mining, then looking at memes that disparage privacy and promote advertising technology), "[=DoorDash=] Superstar" (participating in an interactive advertisement), "Hookup Zone Heartthrob" (being approached by a spambot promoting the product of the Hookup Zone’s sponsor).
* AchievementMockery: Gamification of non-gaming spaces is [[DeconstructiveParody mocked]] in "Virtual Coachella": after the protagonist’s account is terminated, we see a list of achievements he has managed to earn, most of which relate to being subjected to advertising in one way or another: "Meme God" (consenting to using his personal data for some vaguely-defined data mining, then looking at memes that disparage privacy and promote advertising technology), "[=DoorDash=] Superstar" (participating in an interactive advertisement), "Hookup Zone Heartthrob" (being approached by a spambot promoting the product of the Hookup Zone’s sponsor).
to:
* {{Absurdism}}: Absurdist themes recur in many of the sketches ("The Hustle", "Microservices", "Notifications"), "Notifications" or "I Have Delivered Value... But At What Cost?"), but by far the most explicit is the [[https://twitter.com/krazamtv/status/1114277961144909824 GIF with an alternative version]] of a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJwPb_76jqU&t=2m7s fragment of their "Notifications" sketch]] pinned on their Twitter feed; the GIF has Ben’s character cheerfully dismiss a notification reading "EXISTENCE IS MEANINGLESS".
* AchievementMockery: Gamification of non-gaming spaces is [[DeconstructiveParodymocked]] ridiculed for all it’s worth]] in "Virtual Coachella": after the protagonist’s account is terminated, we see a list of achievements he has managed to earn, most of which relate to being subjected to advertising in one way or another: "Meme God" (consenting to using his personal data for some vaguely-defined data mining, then looking at memes that disparage privacy and promote advertising technology), "[=DoorDash=] Superstar" (participating in an interactive advertisement), "Hookup Zone Heartthrob" (being approached by a spambot promoting the product of the Hookup Zone’s sponsor).
* AchievementMockery: Gamification of non-gaming spaces is [[DeconstructiveParody
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqjUlmkYr2g "Designer's Table"]] has a number of characters speculate on what Gianni Roberto, the eponymous designer of Picchi, a standing desk mat, is up to, and whether he’d be willing to create a successor to Picchi. At the end, [[spoiler:the long-awaited product is delivered to the doorstep of Shiva’s character Sajib, with a note reading [[IceCreamKoan "A man who sits for something stands for nothing"]], and is revealed to be a sack of pretty ordinary-looking soil]]. Does that mean that Gianni is a TrollingCreator, or is he just as crazy as the rest of them?
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* BlandNameProduct: Completely {{Averted}} in "Virtual Coachella", which references existing brands and services; this actually got the duo in some legal trouble, from which [[https://www.eff.org/files/2021/03/19/eff_ltr_to_rico_mgmt_re_krazam_llc.pdf they got defended by the Electronic Frontier Foundation]]. For the most part averted in "Content Moderation" as well (which name-drops real media publications like Vox and The New York Times); however, the protagonist is identified as working for ‘[=FaceGoog=]’ in [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture in 2024]].
to:
* BlandNameProduct: Completely {{Averted}} in "Virtual Coachella", which references existing brands and services; this actually got the duo in some legal trouble, from which [[https://www.eff.org/files/2021/03/19/eff_ltr_to_rico_mgmt_re_krazam_llc.pdf they got defended by the Electronic Frontier Foundation]]. For the most part averted in "Content Moderation" as well (which name-drops real media publications like Vox and The New York Times); however, the protagonist is identified as working for ‘[=FaceGoog=]’ in [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture in 2024]].
* {{Catchphrase}}: The turn-of-phrase "[take it to the] next level" recurs in a number of otherwise-unrelated sketches: "Developer Platform Update", "MAKRO | XLOOKUP: META BREAKER?" and "Microservices".
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* MundaneMadeAwesome: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]], a DeconstructiveParody of productivity culture, has the protagonist [[SliceOfLife narrate his typical day]] in an [[MoodDissonance excited, self-satisfied tone]], despite apparently not accomplishing anything of substance.
to:
* MundaneMadeAwesome: MundaneMadeAwesome:
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]], a DeconstructiveParody of productivity culture, has the protagonist [[SliceOfLife narrate his typical day]] in an [[MoodDissonance excited, self-satisfied tone]], despite apparently not accomplishing anything ofsubstance.substance.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqjUlmkYr2g "Designer's Table"]], a mini-{{mockumentary}} about a plastic mat for standing desk users (and also the mat’s [[ReclusiveArtist designer]] and [[{{sequel}} successor]]), talks about its subject as if it’s a work of high art.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]], a DeconstructiveParody of productivity culture, has the protagonist [[SliceOfLife narrate his typical day]] in an [[MoodDissonance excited, self-satisfied tone]], despite apparently not accomplishing anything of
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqjUlmkYr2g "Designer's Table"]], a mini-{{mockumentary}} about a plastic mat for standing desk users (and also the mat’s [[ReclusiveArtist designer]] and [[{{sequel}} successor]]), talks about its subject as if it’s a work of high art.
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* WhatWereTheySellingAgain: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duJwGSUhRQA "We Made A Commercial"]] is a borderline DadaAd: [[BreathlessNonSequitur a string of logically disconnected]] [[MeaninglessMeaningfulWords feel-good slogans]] culimnating in a reveal of what is being advertised: [[spoiler:Salesforce]]. Bonus points for the vaguely ominous slogan of "live forever".
to:
* WhatWereTheySellingAgain: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duJwGSUhRQA "We Made A Commercial"]] is a borderline DadaAd: [[BreathlessNonSequitur a string of logically disconnected]] [[MeaninglessMeaningfulWords feel-good slogans]] culimnating in a reveal of the advertised brand: [[spoiler:Salesforce]]. With no explanation of what is being advertised: [[spoiler:Salesforce]]. they actually ''do''. Bonus points for the vaguely ominous slogan of "live forever".
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Changed line(s) 6 (click to see context) from:
* AchievementMockery: Gamification of non-gaming spaces is [[DeconstructiveParody mocked]] in "Virtual Coachella": after the protagonist’s account is terminated, we see a list of achievements he has managed to earn, most of which relate to being subjected to advertising in one way or another: "Meme God" (consenting to using his personal data for some vaguely-defined data mining, then looking at memes that disparage privacy and promote advertising technology), "DoorDash Superstar" (participating in an interactive advertisement), "Hookup Zone Heartthrob" (being approached by a spambot promoting the product of the Hookup Zone’s sponsor).
to:
* AchievementMockery: Gamification of non-gaming spaces is [[DeconstructiveParody mocked]] in "Virtual Coachella": after the protagonist’s account is terminated, we see a list of achievements he has managed to earn, most of which relate to being subjected to advertising in one way or another: "Meme God" (consenting to using his personal data for some vaguely-defined data mining, then looking at memes that disparage privacy and promote advertising technology), "DoorDash "[=DoorDash=] Superstar" (participating in an interactive advertisement), "Hookup Zone Heartthrob" (being approached by a spambot promoting the product of the Hookup Zone’s sponsor).
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Changed line(s) 5 (click to see context) from:
* {{Absurdism}}: Absurdist themes recur in most of the sketches, but by far the most explicit is the [[https://twitter.com/krazamtv/status/1114277961144909824 GIF with an alternative version]] of a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJwPb_76jqU&t=2m7s fragment of their "Notifications" sketch]] pinned on their Twitter feed; the GIF has Ben’s character cheerfully dismiss a notification reading "EXISTENCE IS MEANINGLESS".
to:
* {{Absurdism}}: Absurdist themes recur in most many of the sketches, sketches ("The Hustle", "Microservices", "Notifications"), but by far the most explicit is the [[https://twitter.com/krazamtv/status/1114277961144909824 GIF with an alternative version]] of a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJwPb_76jqU&t=2m7s fragment of their "Notifications" sketch]] pinned on their Twitter feed; the GIF has Ben’s character cheerfully dismiss a notification reading "EXISTENCE IS MEANINGLESS".MEANINGLESS".
* AchievementMockery: Gamification of non-gaming spaces is [[DeconstructiveParody mocked]] in "Virtual Coachella": after the protagonist’s account is terminated, we see a list of achievements he has managed to earn, most of which relate to being subjected to advertising in one way or another: "Meme God" (consenting to using his personal data for some vaguely-defined data mining, then looking at memes that disparage privacy and promote advertising technology), "DoorDash Superstar" (participating in an interactive advertisement), "Hookup Zone Heartthrob" (being approached by a spambot promoting the product of the Hookup Zone’s sponsor).
* AchievementMockery: Gamification of non-gaming spaces is [[DeconstructiveParody mocked]] in "Virtual Coachella": after the protagonist’s account is terminated, we see a list of achievements he has managed to earn, most of which relate to being subjected to advertising in one way or another: "Meme God" (consenting to using his personal data for some vaguely-defined data mining, then looking at memes that disparage privacy and promote advertising technology), "DoorDash Superstar" (participating in an interactive advertisement), "Hookup Zone Heartthrob" (being approached by a spambot promoting the product of the Hookup Zone’s sponsor).
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** The same sketch also raises the question of where the association of mustard with (presumably) far-right extremism ultimately came from. Was the AI [[AwesomenessByAnalysis just that impossibly good at spotting trends]] or was it flagging mustard as extremist content spuriously, which led to it being noticed by extremists, then to mustard stains becoming an extremist shibboleth, ultimately making the AI prediction a SelfFulfillingProphecy?
to:
** The same sketch also raises the question of where the association of mustard with (presumably) far-right extremism ultimately came from. Was the AI [[AwesomenessByAnalysis just that impossibly good at spotting trends]] or [[AIIsACrapshoot was it flagging mustard as extremist content spuriously, spuriously]], which led to it being noticed by extremists, then to mustard stains becoming an extremist shibboleth, ultimately making the AI prediction a SelfFulfillingProphecy?
* BlandNameProduct: Completely {{Averted}} in "Virtual Coachella", which references existing brands and services; this actually got the duo in some legal trouble, from which [[https://www.eff.org/files/2021/03/19/eff_ltr_to_rico_mgmt_re_krazam_llc.pdf they got defended by the Electronic Frontier Foundation]]. For the most part averted in "Content Moderation" as well (which name-drops real media publications like Vox and The New York Times); however, the protagonist is identified as working for ‘[=FaceGoog=]’ in [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture in 2024]].
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** "Posting Online" starts with the logo of the Computer Education Corporation, which made the "Computer Time" series.
** In the first MAKRO sketch, the protagonist has a framed Richard Stallman picture just like Gooch Lawrence.
** In the first MAKRO sketch, the protagonist has a framed Richard Stallman picture just like Gooch Lawrence.
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* DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife: A recurring theme, but particularly visible in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYvhC_RdIwQ "I Have Delivered Value... But At What Cost?"]]
to:
* DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife: A recurring theme, but particularly Particularly visible in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYvhC_RdIwQ "I Have Delivered Value... But At What Cost?"]]
* MindScrew: Though many sketches are pretty straightforward {{satire}}, some of them are [[WhatDoYouMeanItWasntMadeOnDrugs fairly abstract and hard to interpret]], balancing on the line between SurrealHorror or SurrealHumor (depending on your disposition); particularly "Notifications", "Senior Engineer" and the "Computer Time" series.
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* MundaneMadeAwesome: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]], a DeconstructiveParody of productivity culture, has the protagonist [[SliceOfLife narrate his typical day]], in which he seems to accomplish nothing of substance, [[MoodDissonance in an excited, self-satisfied tone]].
to:
* MundaneMadeAwesome: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]], a DeconstructiveParody of productivity culture, has the protagonist [[SliceOfLife narrate his typical day]], day]] in which he seems to accomplish nothing of substance, an [[MoodDissonance in an excited, self-satisfied tone]].tone]], despite apparently not accomplishing anything of substance.
* NewMediaAreEvil[=/=]OldMediaAreEvil: One way of reading "Content Moderation" is that it doesn’t really make sense to pit old(-ish) news media against social media, as [[MirroringFactions both reinforce each other’s biases and prejudices]] resulting in a ViciousCycle of extremism that doesn’t care how many lives it ruins.
* NoNameGiven: Surprisingly often {{averted}}: in most sketches, at least the protagonist’s name is revealed, if only via a FreezeFrameBonus. However, in "Virtual Coachella", the protagonist is known only as [[YouAreNumberSix "user #290066"]], and in sketches like "The Hustle" or "Microservices", the protagonist’s name is not revealed at all.
* NewMediaAreEvil[=/=]OldMediaAreEvil: One way of reading "Content Moderation" is that it doesn’t really make sense to pit old(-ish) news media against social media, as [[MirroringFactions both reinforce each other’s biases and prejudices]] resulting in a ViciousCycle of extremism that doesn’t care how many lives it ruins.
* NoNameGiven: Surprisingly often {{averted}}: in most sketches, at least the protagonist’s name is revealed, if only via a FreezeFrameBonus. However, in "Virtual Coachella", the protagonist is known only as [[YouAreNumberSix "user #290066"]], and in sketches like "The Hustle" or "Microservices", the protagonist’s name is not revealed at all.
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* ShrinkingViolet: Ross in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHW58D-_O64 "Developer Platform Update"]] is extremely shy, to the point of hiding his head behind a monstera plant. He doesn’t even bother correcting the host when the latter mispronounces his name "Ross Elephant".
to:
* ShrinkingViolet: Ross in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHW58D-_O64 "Developer Platform Update"]] is extremely shy, to the point of hiding his head behind a monstera plant. He doesn’t even bother correcting the host when the latter mispronounces his name as "Ross Elephant".
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* ThenLetMeBeEvil: {{Implied}} in the ending of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]], in which the protagonist, now branded a pariah, looks at a distance with a [[MirthlessLaughter smirk]] and a KubrickStare.
to:
* ThenLetMeBeEvil: {{Implied}} in the ending of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]], in which the protagonist, now branded a pariah, looks at a distance with a [[MirthlessLaughter smirk]] and a KubrickStare.KubrickStare.
* WhatWereTheySellingAgain: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duJwGSUhRQA "We Made A Commercial"]] is a borderline DadaAd: [[BreathlessNonSequitur a string of logically disconnected]] [[MeaninglessMeaningfulWords feel-good slogans]] culimnating in a reveal of what is being advertised: [[spoiler:Salesforce]]. Bonus points for the vaguely ominous slogan of "live forever".
* WhatWereTheySellingAgain: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duJwGSUhRQA "We Made A Commercial"]] is a borderline DadaAd: [[BreathlessNonSequitur a string of logically disconnected]] [[MeaninglessMeaningfulWords feel-good slogans]] culimnating in a reveal of what is being advertised: [[spoiler:Salesforce]]. Bonus points for the vaguely ominous slogan of "live forever".
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** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHW58D-_O64 "Developer Platform Update"]], a parody of corporate ‘developer relations’ content, has Shiva’s visibly uncomfortable Ross [=LeFontaine=] try to talk about his [[BlessedWithSuck accomplishment of slowing down an API]]. It’s up to interpretation whether this is merely a matter of [[ShrinkingViolet his social anxiety]] it was genuinely being presented as a good thing, or whether he was actually being punished (by public shaming) for causing the performance degradation.
to:
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHW58D-_O64 "Developer Platform Update"]], a parody of corporate ‘developer relations’ content, has Shiva’s visibly uncomfortable Ross [=LeFontaine=] try to talk about his [[BlessedWithSuck accomplishment of slowing down an API]]. It’s up to interpretation whether this is merely a matter of [[ShrinkingViolet his social anxiety]] it was genuinely being presented as a good thing, thing and his anxiety was just [[ShrinkingViolet a personal issue]], or whether he was actually being punished (by public shaming) for causing the performance degradation.
Changed line(s) 25 (click to see context) from:
* ShrinkingViolet: Ross in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHW58D-_O64 "Developer Platform Update"]] is extremely shy, to the point of hiding his head behind a monstera plant.
to:
* ShrinkingViolet: Ross in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHW58D-_O64 "Developer Platform Update"]] is extremely shy, to the point of hiding his head behind a monstera plant. He doesn’t even bother correcting the host when the latter mispronounces his name "Ross Elephant".
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* StepfordSmiler: Quite a few of them: Gooch Lawrence from the "Computer Time" series, Orange [=DeLonge=] from "Developer Platform Update", the protagonist of "The Hustle"
to:
* StepfordSmiler: Quite a few of them: Gooch Lawrence from the "Computer Time" series, Orange [=DeLonge=] from "Developer Platform Update", the Update". The protagonist of "The Hustle"Hustle" can be read as this, ThePollyanna, or CaptainOblivious.
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** The same sketch also raises the question of where the association of mustard with (presumably) far-right extremism ultimately came from. Was the AI [[AwesomenessByAnalysis just that impossibly good at spotting trends]] or was it flagging mustard as extremist content spuriously, which led to it being noticed, then to mustard stains becoming an extremist shibboleth and ultimately a SelfFulfillingProphecy?
to:
** The same sketch also raises the question of where the association of mustard with (presumably) far-right extremism ultimately came from. Was the AI [[AwesomenessByAnalysis just that impossibly good at spotting trends]] or was it flagging mustard as extremist content spuriously, which led to it being noticed, noticed by extremists, then to mustard stains becoming an extremist shibboleth and shibboleth, ultimately making the AI prediction a SelfFulfillingProphecy?
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* CallBack:
** "Posting Online" starts with the logo of the Computer Education Corporation, which made the "Computer Time" series.
** In the first MAKRO sketch, the protagonist has a framed Richard Stallman picture just like Gooch Lawrence.
** In "Virtual Coachella", a [=BallmerCon=] advertisement is visible in the background, referencing MAKRO.
** "Posting Online" starts with the logo of the Computer Education Corporation, which made the "Computer Time" series.
** In the first MAKRO sketch, the protagonist has a framed Richard Stallman picture just like Gooch Lawrence.
** In "Virtual Coachella", a [=BallmerCon=] advertisement is visible in the background, referencing MAKRO.
Added DiffLines:
* ComedyHorror: The "Computer Time" series, and the "Paranormal Hardware" sketch.
Added DiffLines:
* StepfordSmiler: Quite a few of them: Gooch Lawrence from the "Computer Time" series, Orange [=DeLonge=] from "Developer Platform Update", the protagonist of "The Hustle"
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Changed line(s) 7 (click to see context) from:
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHW58D-_O64 "Developer Platform Update"]], a parody of corporate ‘developer relations’ content, has the visibly uncomfortable Ross [=LaFontaine=] try to talk about his [[BlessedWithSuck accomplishment of slowing down an API]]. It’s up to interpretation whether this is merely a matter of [[ShrinkingViolet his social anxiety]] it was genuinely being presented as a good thing, or whether he was actually being punished for his poor performance degradation.
to:
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHW58D-_O64 "Developer Platform Update"]], a parody of corporate ‘developer relations’ content, has the Shiva’s visibly uncomfortable Ross [=LaFontaine=] [=LeFontaine=] try to talk about his [[BlessedWithSuck accomplishment of slowing down an API]]. It’s up to interpretation whether this is merely a matter of [[ShrinkingViolet his social anxiety]] it was genuinely being presented as a good thing, or whether he was actually being punished (by public shaming) for his poor causing the performance degradation.
** The same sketch also raises the question of where the association of mustard with (presumably) far-right extremism ultimately came from. Was the AI [[AwesomenessByAnalysis just that impossibly good at spotting trends]] or was it flagging mustard as extremist content spuriously, which led to it being noticed, then to mustard stains becoming an extremist shibboleth and ultimately a SelfFulfillingProphecy?
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* CaptainOblivious: Ben’s character in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]] leads a pretty boring and lonely existence, which he distracts himself from by focusing on social media and productivity.
* {{Cyberspace}}: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67sfZfreOrU "Virtual Coachella"]] presents a DeconstructiveParody version of virtual reality, full of [[StylisticSuck underwhelming graphics]], [[AnnoyingPopUpAd omnipresent sponsorships and advertising]], [[BigBrotherIsWatching corporate surveillance]], [[ComicallyWordyContract unreadably long terms of service]], [[ThereAreNoGirlsOnTheInternet spambots pretending to be hot girls]] and [[ObstructiveBureaucracy Kafkaesque moderation policies]].
* {{Cyberspace}}: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67sfZfreOrU "Virtual Coachella"]] presents a DeconstructiveParody version of virtual reality, full of [[StylisticSuck underwhelming graphics]], [[AnnoyingPopUpAd omnipresent sponsorships and advertising]], [[BigBrotherIsWatching corporate surveillance]], [[ComicallyWordyContract unreadably long terms of service]], [[ThereAreNoGirlsOnTheInternet spambots pretending to be hot girls]] and [[ObstructiveBureaucracy Kafkaesque moderation policies]].
to:
* CaptainOblivious: Ben’s character in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]] leads a pretty boring and lonely existence, from which he distracts himself from by focusing on social media and productivity.
obsessing over productivity. His obliviousness is probably the only thing preventing him from breaking down in despair over his life.
* {{Cyberspace}}: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67sfZfreOrU "Virtual Coachella"]] presents a DeconstructiveParody version of virtual reality, full of [[StylisticSuck underwhelming graphics]], [[AnnoyingPopUpAd omnipresent sponsorships and advertising]], [[BigBrotherIsWatching corporate surveillance]], [[ForcedMeme unfunny memes]], [[ComicallyWordyContract unreadably long terms of service]], [[ThereAreNoGirlsOnTheInternet spambots pretending to be hot girls]] and [[ObstructiveBureaucracy Kafkaesque moderation policies]].
* {{Cyberspace}}: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67sfZfreOrU "Virtual Coachella"]] presents a DeconstructiveParody version of virtual reality, full of [[StylisticSuck underwhelming graphics]], [[AnnoyingPopUpAd omnipresent sponsorships and advertising]], [[BigBrotherIsWatching corporate surveillance]], [[ForcedMeme unfunny memes]], [[ComicallyWordyContract unreadably long terms of service]], [[ThereAreNoGirlsOnTheInternet spambots pretending to be hot girls]] and [[ObstructiveBureaucracy Kafkaesque moderation policies]].
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* IneffectualLoner: Alienation is a recurring theme for Ben’s characters, though usually not for lack of trying; it is explicitly mentioned in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8OnoxKotPQ "Microservices"]] (where his character speaks of DyingAlone), but also visible in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]] (where he plays a productivity-obsessed social media addict), [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICp2-EUKQAI the second MAKRO sketch]] (where he shows some strikingly empty birthday party attendance spreadsheets) and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]] (where he tries to strike up a conversation with remote workers to dead silence).
to:
* IneffectualLoner: Alienation is a recurring theme for Ben’s characters, though usually not for lack of trying; it is explicitly mentioned in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8OnoxKotPQ "Microservices"]] (where his character speaks of DyingAlone), but also visible in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]] (where he plays a productivity-obsessed social media addict), [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICp2-EUKQAI the second MAKRO sketch]] (where he shows some strikingly mostly empty birthday party attendance spreadsheets) and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]] (where he tries to strike up a casual conversation with remote workers to dead silence).
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* MoneyDearBoy: In-universe in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHW58D-_O64 "Developer Platform Update"]]: though he may appear cheerful on-screen, Ben’s character Orange [=DeLonge=] is not particularly happy to be shooting glorified corporate commercials, but he is at least satisfied with the pay.
to:
* MoneyDearBoy: In-universe in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHW58D-_O64 "Developer Platform Update"]]: though he may [[StepfordSmiler appear cheerful on-screen, on-screen]], Ben’s character Orange [=DeLonge=] is not particularly happy to be shooting glorified corporate commercials, but he is at least satisfied with the pay.
Changed line(s) 19 (click to see context) from:
* SocialMediaIsBad: {{Downplayed}} in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]], where it serves to blind the main character to his loneliness. More pronounced in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]], where opaque moderation policies lead the main character to anxiety; whether it’s real or imagined.
to:
* ShrinkingViolet: Ross in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHW58D-_O64 "Developer Platform Update"]] is extremely shy, to the point of hiding his head behind a monstera plant.
* SocialMediaIsBad: {{Downplayed}} in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]], where it serves to [[CaptainOblivious blind the maincharacter character]] to his loneliness. More pronounced in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8F1zoTeHqU "Posting Online"]], where the spread of social-media extremism [[spoiler:drives Seattle to bankruptcy]]. Also visible in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]].
* SpiritualSuccessor: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]] is this to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8F1zoTeHqU "Posting Online"]], playing on the same themes of the spread of extremism on social media.
* TechnoDystopia: PlayedForLaughs for the most part in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67sfZfreOrU "Virtual Coachella"]]; [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]] presents a more straightforward example.
* ThenLetMeBeEvil: {{Implied}} in the ending of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]],where opaque moderation policies lead in which the main character to anxiety; whether it’s real or imagined.protagonist, now branded a pariah, looks at a distance with a [[MirthlessLaughter smirk]] and a KubrickStare.
* SocialMediaIsBad: {{Downplayed}} in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]], where it serves to [[CaptainOblivious blind the main
* SpiritualSuccessor: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]] is this to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8F1zoTeHqU "Posting Online"]], playing on the same themes of the spread of extremism on social media.
* TechnoDystopia: PlayedForLaughs for the most part in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67sfZfreOrU "Virtual Coachella"]]; [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]] presents a more straightforward example.
* ThenLetMeBeEvil: {{Implied}} in the ending of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]],
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Added DiffLines:
[[https://www.youtube.com/@KRAZAM/videos KRAZAM]] is a comedy duo based in Brooklyn, New York, consisting of Shiva Kilaru and Benjamin Burke. Their [[IrregularSeries sporadically-updated]] [=YouTube=] channel consists of sketches combining grotesque, absurdist humor with technological anxiety to produce a pointed {{satire}} of the tech industry, modern alienation and corporate life in general.
!! Their channel provides examples of:
* {{Absurdism}}: Absurdist themes recur in most of the sketches, but by far the most explicit is the [[https://twitter.com/krazamtv/status/1114277961144909824 GIF with an alternative version]] of a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJwPb_76jqU&t=2m7s fragment of their "Notifications" sketch]] pinned on their Twitter feed; the GIF has Ben’s character cheerfully dismiss a notification reading "EXISTENCE IS MEANINGLESS".
* AmbiguousSituation:
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHW58D-_O64 "Developer Platform Update"]], a parody of corporate ‘developer relations’ content, has the visibly uncomfortable Ross [=LaFontaine=] try to talk about his [[BlessedWithSuck accomplishment of slowing down an API]]. It’s up to interpretation whether this is merely a matter of [[ShrinkingViolet his social anxiety]] it was genuinely being presented as a good thing, or whether he was actually being punished for his poor performance degradation.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]] has Ben’s character Tim being flagged as a potential future offender based on a seemingly innocuous social media post about getting mustard on his pants. He spends the rest of the video despairing over what exactly was wrong with the post, and trying to run away from a [[StealthPun smear campaign]] and ostracism against people covered in mustard. Whether that last one was real or [[ThroughTheEyesOfMadness just in his head]] is not made very clear.
* BlackComedy: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJwPb_76jqU "Notifications"]] has Ben’s character take Shiva’s character Gary to a bridge and throw him far away. And then disable all notifications about Gary.
* CaptainOblivious: Ben’s character in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]] leads a pretty boring and lonely existence, which he distracts himself from by focusing on social media and productivity.
* {{Cyberspace}}: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67sfZfreOrU "Virtual Coachella"]] presents a DeconstructiveParody version of virtual reality, full of [[StylisticSuck underwhelming graphics]], [[AnnoyingPopUpAd omnipresent sponsorships and advertising]], [[BigBrotherIsWatching corporate surveillance]], [[ComicallyWordyContract unreadably long terms of service]], [[ThereAreNoGirlsOnTheInternet spambots pretending to be hot girls]] and [[ObstructiveBureaucracy Kafkaesque moderation policies]].
* DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife: A recurring theme, but particularly visible in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYvhC_RdIwQ "I Have Delivered Value... But At What Cost?"]]
* FunnyBackgroundEvent: In [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xubbVvKbUfY the first MAKRO sketch]], Ben’s eponymous character has a framed picture of Richard Stallman in the background. MAKRO’s whole shtick is basically based on promoting and supporting Microsoft Excel, while Stallman is well-known for being opposed to Microsoft’s office suite and promoting alternatives instead.
* IneffectualLoner: Alienation is a recurring theme for Ben’s characters, though usually not for lack of trying; it is explicitly mentioned in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8OnoxKotPQ "Microservices"]] (where his character speaks of DyingAlone), but also visible in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]] (where he plays a productivity-obsessed social media addict), [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICp2-EUKQAI the second MAKRO sketch]] (where he shows some strikingly empty birthday party attendance spreadsheets) and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]] (where he tries to strike up a conversation with remote workers to dead silence).
* MoodDissonance: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]] portrays [[SoulCrushingDeskJob a pretty boring life]] of the main character with upbeat, rhythmic drums, dynamic cuts and fragmentary, stream-of-consciousness narration.
* MoneyDearBoy: In-universe in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHW58D-_O64 "Developer Platform Update"]]: though he may appear cheerful on-screen, Ben’s character Orange [=DeLonge=] is not particularly happy to be shooting glorified corporate commercials, but he is at least satisfied with the pay.
* MundaneMadeAwesome: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]], a DeconstructiveParody of productivity culture, has the protagonist [[SliceOfLife narrate his typical day]], in which he seems to accomplish nothing of substance, [[MoodDissonance in an excited, self-satisfied tone]].
* RubeGoldbergDevice: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8OnoxKotPQ "Microservices"]] gives us an IT version of one, satirizing the byzantine complexity of modern technology stacks.
* SocialMediaIsBad: {{Downplayed}} in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]], where it serves to blind the main character to his loneliness. More pronounced in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]], where opaque moderation policies lead the main character to anxiety; whether it’s real or imagined.
!! Their channel provides examples of:
* {{Absurdism}}: Absurdist themes recur in most of the sketches, but by far the most explicit is the [[https://twitter.com/krazamtv/status/1114277961144909824 GIF with an alternative version]] of a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJwPb_76jqU&t=2m7s fragment of their "Notifications" sketch]] pinned on their Twitter feed; the GIF has Ben’s character cheerfully dismiss a notification reading "EXISTENCE IS MEANINGLESS".
* AmbiguousSituation:
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHW58D-_O64 "Developer Platform Update"]], a parody of corporate ‘developer relations’ content, has the visibly uncomfortable Ross [=LaFontaine=] try to talk about his [[BlessedWithSuck accomplishment of slowing down an API]]. It’s up to interpretation whether this is merely a matter of [[ShrinkingViolet his social anxiety]] it was genuinely being presented as a good thing, or whether he was actually being punished for his poor performance degradation.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]] has Ben’s character Tim being flagged as a potential future offender based on a seemingly innocuous social media post about getting mustard on his pants. He spends the rest of the video despairing over what exactly was wrong with the post, and trying to run away from a [[StealthPun smear campaign]] and ostracism against people covered in mustard. Whether that last one was real or [[ThroughTheEyesOfMadness just in his head]] is not made very clear.
* BlackComedy: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJwPb_76jqU "Notifications"]] has Ben’s character take Shiva’s character Gary to a bridge and throw him far away. And then disable all notifications about Gary.
* CaptainOblivious: Ben’s character in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]] leads a pretty boring and lonely existence, which he distracts himself from by focusing on social media and productivity.
* {{Cyberspace}}: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67sfZfreOrU "Virtual Coachella"]] presents a DeconstructiveParody version of virtual reality, full of [[StylisticSuck underwhelming graphics]], [[AnnoyingPopUpAd omnipresent sponsorships and advertising]], [[BigBrotherIsWatching corporate surveillance]], [[ComicallyWordyContract unreadably long terms of service]], [[ThereAreNoGirlsOnTheInternet spambots pretending to be hot girls]] and [[ObstructiveBureaucracy Kafkaesque moderation policies]].
* DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife: A recurring theme, but particularly visible in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYvhC_RdIwQ "I Have Delivered Value... But At What Cost?"]]
* FunnyBackgroundEvent: In [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xubbVvKbUfY the first MAKRO sketch]], Ben’s eponymous character has a framed picture of Richard Stallman in the background. MAKRO’s whole shtick is basically based on promoting and supporting Microsoft Excel, while Stallman is well-known for being opposed to Microsoft’s office suite and promoting alternatives instead.
* IneffectualLoner: Alienation is a recurring theme for Ben’s characters, though usually not for lack of trying; it is explicitly mentioned in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8OnoxKotPQ "Microservices"]] (where his character speaks of DyingAlone), but also visible in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]] (where he plays a productivity-obsessed social media addict), [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICp2-EUKQAI the second MAKRO sketch]] (where he shows some strikingly empty birthday party attendance spreadsheets) and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]] (where he tries to strike up a conversation with remote workers to dead silence).
* MoodDissonance: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]] portrays [[SoulCrushingDeskJob a pretty boring life]] of the main character with upbeat, rhythmic drums, dynamic cuts and fragmentary, stream-of-consciousness narration.
* MoneyDearBoy: In-universe in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHW58D-_O64 "Developer Platform Update"]]: though he may appear cheerful on-screen, Ben’s character Orange [=DeLonge=] is not particularly happy to be shooting glorified corporate commercials, but he is at least satisfied with the pay.
* MundaneMadeAwesome: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]], a DeconstructiveParody of productivity culture, has the protagonist [[SliceOfLife narrate his typical day]], in which he seems to accomplish nothing of substance, [[MoodDissonance in an excited, self-satisfied tone]].
* RubeGoldbergDevice: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8OnoxKotPQ "Microservices"]] gives us an IT version of one, satirizing the byzantine complexity of modern technology stacks.
* SocialMediaIsBad: {{Downplayed}} in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7qjN3KF8U "The Hustle"]], where it serves to blind the main character to his loneliness. More pronounced in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQyMrmRBsk "Content Moderation"]], where opaque moderation policies lead the main character to anxiety; whether it’s real or imagined.
