The fantasy of demonstrators in South Korea, “Uber Notre-Dame”, FIFA… a brief tour of the most absurd news of the moment

The fantasy of demonstrators in South Korea, “Uber Notre-Dame”, FIFA… a brief tour of the most absurd news of the moment
The fantasy of demonstrators in South Korea, “Uber Notre-Dame”, FIFA… a brief tour of the most absurd news of the moment

The fantasy of the signs during the demonstrations against Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, Uber which offers “Uber Notre-Dame” taxis, the 2030 World Cup which will be played on three continents… The era is rich in overwhelming information to choose from or completely useless. Thanks to our columnist Jean-Marc Proust, let's try to see more clearly in the jungle of these absurdities.

It's 2024 and.

And, in Korea, there are very serious protests against President Yoon Suk-yeol after he tried to impose emergency martial law. We still don't know why there was an emergency or why the law had to be martial, but it didn't work for Yoon. After narrowly escaping impeachment, he will likely be prosecuted for inciting insurrection. He is already prohibited from leaving the country and a second attempt at dismissal threatens him. We have seen more encouraging political prospects.

To console himself, Yoon will have plenty of time to look at the giant and spontaneous demonstrations organized against him. If its martial law provided for the control of all media, it ignored – wrongly – the imagination of the demonstrators. However, the latter demonstrated incredible inventiveness and audacity. Journalist Fabien Schneider photographed some of them which are worth their weight in bibimbap as the flags and slogans compete in absurdity and poetry, in an almost Dadaist logic.

Well, it looks like you really liked these flags. Thank you very much for your feedback, shares and likes. As a sign of thanks, I'm delivering a second batch to you.

— Fabien Schneider (@fablin.bsky.social) December 10, 2024 at 12:02 p.m.

The pop culture occupied a privileged place there (“Star Wars Resistance Army Seoul Section”, “National Association of those who managed to reserve seats for Coldplay”). We were able to march with animal friends who were either politicized (“National Union of Proletarian Cats”) or fetishists (“Study Circle of Puppy Paw Scents”). The concerns of daily life were expressed in a disillusioned manner (“National Association of Frozen Hands and Feet”) or procrastinating (“Association of people who can't decide what to watch on streaming platforms”).

Some expressed their profound disengagement (“National Association for Staying at Home”), others, on the contrary, were very precise in their demands (“Association of Recommendations for Employees’ Lunch Menus”).

ALSO READ: “I can’t believe we’ve come to this”: President Yoon Suk Yeol saves his skin to the great dismay of Koreans

-

For my part, I would have loved to march under the sign “Central leadership of the movement so as not to look at your cell phone when you walk”, avoiding that of the “National Club of people who could not prepare a flag” which is too guilty. to my taste.

For Fabien Schneider, these flags allow Koreans unaccustomed to demonstrations to show “ that “even they” took to the streets “. With such slogans, some of which already existed in 2016, the demonstrations become less intimidating. Enough to make the traditional “ no…no…no hesitation! » that we have been hearing in for decades?

It's 2024 and.

And, since December 6, Uber has been offering “Uber Notre-Dame” taxis, customized with stained glass windows and gargoyles, intended for visiting the Île de la Cité and its surroundings. After all, nothing serious. Except that, in addition to paying to go around in circles, you will have to endure a historical podcast (excuse the oxymoron) by Lorànt Deutsch, known more for his religious and royalist opinions than for his historical rigor. is worth a mass, all right, but why give yourself a sermon? When will there be an Uber Paris-Varennes commented by Stéphane Bern?

It's 2024 and.

And FIFA doesn't care about us. She has just announced the award of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, a country renowned for its temperate climate and the quality of its grass, without forgetting its vigilant respect for the rights of men and, even more so, women. Rest assured, it will be the men's football World Cup, so no immodesty to be expected – although.

READ ALSO: “Scandalous and unfair”: deleted in the Senate, FIFA’s tax advantages could return by 49.3

As happiness never comes alone, the 2030 World Cup will be played in South America (Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina), in Africa (Morocco) as well as in Europe (Spain and Portugal). Three continents to better allow players and supporters to travel: who could say better? At a time when global warming has gone from a simple threat to a pile of hassles that are now inevitable, we can only welcome such a brilliant initiative.

-

--

NEXT Michelle Buteau blasts Dave Chappelle for anti-trans jokes in Netflix special