Bonsai Kitten
From Encyclopedia Dramatica
Bonsai Kitten was a website built in December 2000 by an MIT graduate student known only as Dr. Michael Wong Chang. Featuring how-to instructions and photos of cute little kitties stuffed into glass bottles and having their assholes glued up, the resulting shit-storm caused v&s and still rages till this day.
| —Dr. Michael Wong Chang |
Details
The site was first published on December 20, 2000. Obviously mocked up photos and equipment were presented in a semi professional fashion, but like most satire, it was lost on the stupid. Fake testimonials and instructions on how to stuff a kitten into a jar and keep it alive for a normal life span stirred up so much hippy rage that these viral emails made MIT cave to the growing controversy only 11 days later. The site jumped from server to server for a couple of weeks until finally settling on Rotten.com's server. Content was added to rub in the loudest complaints coming in via hate-mail and online petitions. Examples include adding a children's section after people started complaining that their kids wouldn't know it was fake.
| —Typical animal lover |
Eventually, the FBI stepped in.
V& and aftermath
In February the FBI subpoenaed MIT for all information related to the site in an attempt to make the Internet serious business. The attempt was a fail since no laws were actually broken. Of course the law has never stopped crusaders from crusading before. As the debate turned to freedom of speech, animal activists claim that the site encourages animal cruelty, (OH NOES!), and there by doesn't qualify for the first amendment. The webmaster has set up a mailing list to broadcast hatemail to subscribers. Despite its old meme status, PETA still sends out online petitions to this day.
External Links
- Petition haetmail comments.
- Wired article
- The Humane Society's statement on the issue.
- There are at... least... three bands named after this meme.
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Bonsai Kitten is part of a series on Trolls. |
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Bonsai Kitten is part of a series on Bad things to happen to animals
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Basic Concepts
Furry • Bestiality • Taxidermy • Animal Abuse |
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Opposing Concepts and Causes
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BestiLOLity in Action
Poeticirony • Crusadercat • Darkhorseman • Dracoguard • Esachasa • Mr. Hands • WolfJLupus • Chibiabos • Charles-wolfman • ShadoWolffess • Snover • Skylos • Marry Your Pet • Neuticles.com • Dalhusky • Cory Williamson • Abbie Hawkins | |
Why We Don't Have Nice Things
Alcohol • Alisa Kuzmenko • Michael Vick, a.k.a. Ron Mexico • Camrose Cat Killers • Chevy the Therapy Dog • Cheyenne Cherry • City glitter • LinktheWolf • Staredog • Tinkebell • Wang Jeu • Zeriara • Zippocat • NEDM • David Motari • "Mudkips" the cat • Bonsai Kitten • Japanese Bug Fights • Heaven • Kenny Glenn • Travis the Killer Chimp • Tyler Weinman • Marvin Morvan and Alex Teniola |
