WallStreetBets subreddit It has helped lead $ 383, 000 in donations to a gorilla conservation organization this week. The previous sentence it would have been barely intelligible even if only in December last year, and yet here we are.
To fast recap: In January, people on the r / WallStreetBets subreddit captured titles to buy shares of GameStop shares, as well as other often-remembered companies such as AMC Theaters. A number of hedge funds shortened GameStop, taking into account the price of its shares diving, which would allow them, perversely, to earn money. The flow of Redditors who buy Gamestop and others who wanted the investment frenzy caused stock prices to rise, however, by screwing up hedge funds by shortening the company, while also allowing RedditoRS and individual investors to get very rich. (Some every day the people were too left very screwed.)
People on WallStreetBets have long referred to themselves as “monkeys” – it’s kind of joke inside based on Harambe’s memeification, gorilla who was shot in 2016 at the Cincinnati Zoo after a child fell inside him. Always those who commit little, have donated for the efforts of rescuing other monkeys.
Many have donated to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, an international charity dedicated to funding conservation, protection, and the study of African gorillas. The organization usually receives 20 donations in an average weekend from people who want to symbolically adopt gorillas, but since last Saturday, he said is received thousands of adoption donations in total more than $ 383,000. Many of the adoptions were made using fake names made to cast the shadow of hedgefund managers: A thread on subreddit called “This MFer is probably richer than me right now” shows the certificates made at “Jim Cramer’s Tears “and” Fuck Melvin Capital. ” Yes, it is not systemic change we have to save the endangered species, but it’s kind of awful considering the gorillas are in decline due to habitat degradation by industry, poaching, industry, and climate change.
This was such a big deal for the charity that its president and CEO, Tara Stoinski (more like Stonksy, am I right?) recorded a video message especially for Redditors. The group also shouted at them on their website adding the hashtag #ApesTogetherStrong and making a merch limited edition line presenting it along the symbols of diamond hands. The slogan is limited to a me me based on the movie Rise of the Planet of the Apes, but WallStreetBets members use it to describe their collective action to outdo rich financiers.
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WallStreetBets incomeRs also donated to other animal conservation organizations. Sheldrick Wildlife Trust saw a Spike of $ 10,000 in the donations last weekend, inclusive adoption of an orphaned elephant in Kenya. Members also sent money to The Orangutan Project and other charities.
“The devil loves this community,” a WallStreetBets user wrote. “I mean, honestly, can you ever imagine that somewhere on Wall Street or in Chicago they have even a small piece of a post-it note dedicated to something more than just their money?”