How To Spark a Right-Wing Frenzy

My one-minute YouTube clip of Al Gore was a conservative-media sensation. Here's why I took it down.

By Brian Merchant
Updated Saturday, June 25, 2011, at 7:11 AM ET

Last Monday, I watched Al Gore deliver the keynote address at a low-profile conference. He gave a pleasant, even boring, speech about how video games can inspire social change. Afterward, there was a brief discussion that touched on global warming, education, and women's empowerment. I recorded a couple snippets with my Flip camera and popped them onto YouTube.

By Wednesday, I was receiving scores of messages from far-right commenters. Many heralded me as a hero of their cause; others simply sought an outlet for more Gore-bashing. I'll explain.