Politics

Al Gore Peddles New ‘Occupy Democracy’ Movement: ‘Change the Democratic Conversation’

AUSTIN, Texas (The Blaze/AP) — In a wide-ranging talk about the Internet and government, Al Gore urged the techie crowd at South By Southwest to use digital tools to improve government.

The former vice president sat for a conversation with Napster co-founder and Web entrepreneur Sean Parker on Monday at SXSW in a flashy tete-a-tete that drew an audience of thousands at the Austin Convention Center and more viewers via a live stream.

Al Gore Calls for Use of Digital Tools to Occupy Democracy

“Our democracy has been hacked,” said Gore, framing Washington gridlock and the effects of special interest money in digital terms.

To fix what he called a no-longer functional U.S. government, Gore urged the audience to begin a new “Occupy Democracy” movement. He pushed for the creation and implementation of digital tools and social media to “change the democratic conversation.”

(Related: Meet the ‘sixth sense’ iPhone app that’s exciting social media gurus and worrying others)

Watch this rough clip of Gore speaking at the social media and tech conference:

Here’s another, where Gore plugs use of social media to help solve the “climate crisis”:

Parker shares some of his thoughts on the importance of the rise of new mediums in the social media world:

Parker speaks about how social media tools can be used to help “unlock power” to change “systemic” problems the government. Gore says that using “magnificent” digital tools can help “elevate the role of reason and truth” to help put pressure on politicians and elected officials to make changes:

Gore talked of a “Wiki-democracy“ of ”digital flash mobs calling out the truth“ and ”a government square that holds people accountable.”

Parker, who was famously portrayed by Justin Timberlake in “The Social Network,” has gotten into politics by investing in Votizen, an online network of voters that leverages social networks to campaign for their issues. He also sits on the board of NationBuilder, which also seeks to organize political change.

Parker said he believes social media is only its infancy of what it can do to spur action. He cited the Internet rally against the Stop Online Piracy Act as a hint of the power of social networks. He called the protest “Nerd Spring,” alluding to the Arab Spring uprisings in the Middle East.

Both Gore and Parker derided the dominant role of television in elections and political dialogue. Change, Parker said, won’t come from within the political system.

To applause, Gore added; “I can confirm that.”

Comments (210)

  • poster
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:11am

    Didn’t Al Gore invent social media? He must be a very busy guy.

    Report Post »  
    • poorrichard09
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:40am

      Al kinda went off the rails mentally after he couldn’t steal the 2000 election. He’s really off his freaking rocker now. Hey, how about a bunch of “occupoopers” go occupy Al’s 20,000 plus sq. ft. mansion????

      Report Post »  
    • wboehmer
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:53am

      Nope, not social media, Al Gore just invented the internet.

      Report Post »  
    • Al Gored
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:56am

      Anyone notice that Algore is not talking much about man-made global warming these days?

      Report Post »  
    • HKS
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:07pm

      Well, let’s see, “change the democratic dialogue” does that mean the present dialogue is bad? a lie? not working? people aren’t buying it? It has a bad record of performance? Or maybe it all of them. I don’t thing a conversation is going to hide the pitiful performance of this administration. A duck is a duck, call it one.

      Report Post » HKS  
    • Kalish
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:13pm

      Some one tell that dumbass that we are a republic, NOT a democracy !

      Report Post » Kalish  
    • Beckofile
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:15pm

      How about Occupy The Republic. I am sick of the talk of Democracy or mob rule. Time to Occupy The Rule of Law. Occupy the Constitution

      Report Post » Beckofile  
    • watchtheotherhand
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:24pm

      Thousands were in attendance? What sort of idiots are these? Gore has got to be the dumbest most ignorant moron out there. Didn’t his award winning fakumentory discredit this guy already? Of course for the man who was the brainchild of the internet I suppose we’ll give him a pass huh? What a collection of mindless idiotic robots !!!!!!!

      Report Post » watchtheotherhand  
    • LAM2
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:26pm

      Algore is echoing Michelle Obama’s call to “change our converstion”. He who controls the language controls the narrative.

      Report Post »  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 2:02pm

      @ Al Gored
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:56am
      Anyone notice that Algore is not talking much about man-made global warming these days?

      Doesn’t need to, he has already made BILLIONS $$$$.. On to new ways
      of taking our MONEY. whatever this SLIMRBALL gets into, you know it’s
      going to cost us Big Time..If OWS had any credibility, they would be camped
      out on HIS and Pelosi’s lawns…until then OWS are just “Useful Idiots” paid
      for by Soros and other Leftist Radicals…

      Report Post » MIBUGNU2  
    • cuinsong
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 2:07pm

      Al is looking for new followers! May be running low on donations and looking to co-opt another issue to replace the global worming gig?
      Hay Al here is a song for you.
      “The Game of Life”http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_12524752

      Report Post » cuinsong  
    • RedManBlueState
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 2:08pm

      Algore invented the internet, but Tipper got it in the divorce.

      Report Post » RedManBlueState  
    • Kaoscontrol
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 3:17pm

      Sorry….I try to love this man (as God loves him), but I just want to punch his face in every time he opens his big, fat, ugly stinkin’ mouth. I’d rather stand behind an elephant breaking wind than hear one more word from this doosh-head.

      Report Post » Kaoscontrol  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 3:56pm

      With a record like Algirls for ‘picking’ the winners, how can you go wrong?

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 4:10pm

      I am NOT very Religious,,,, But I THINK there is a GOD..
      HE kept Gore from becoming President..this slimeball
      did everything he could to sneak in, But the MAN said NO..

      Report Post » MIBUGNU2  
    • Kathleen
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 4:12pm

      Occupiers vs. Tea Party

      We want Big Govt. vs. We want Small Govt.

      Report Post »  
    • USAF2003
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 4:47pm

      Hey A-hole Al, it’s a Republic NOT a democracy! Shut your mouth if you don‘t know what you’re talking about.

      Report Post »  
    • Clive
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 5:06pm

      so tired of al gore… can’t.. take.. it….

      Report Post »  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 6:44pm

      “Our democracy has been hacked.” and THIS from
      THE WORLDS BIGGEST HACK !!!!!!!!!

      WE used to TAR and FEATHER people like this….

      Report Post » MIBUGNU2  
    • AmericanFightingMan1
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 7:04pm

      Al Gore. Baaa haaaaa. His absurdity is only exceeded by his inability to dance with any dignity.

      Waaaaaa haaaaaa. A clown. “Send in the clowns”. Ha haaaaaaa.

      Report Post » AmericanFightingMan1  
    • So
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 9:09pm

      What did the masseuse call Gore? Wasn’t it a crazed sex poodle?

      He’s looking sleazier by the day.

      The inconvenient truth is he has no scruples. He should just fade away.

      Report Post »  
    • shirleyandpearl
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:46pm

      The democrats love to call the U.S. a democracy…. it’s a republic, but they would love to change the voting system to mob vote….thus a “democracy”.

      Report Post » shirleyandpearl  
    • stonefly70
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:42pm

      Does he have make-up on in that photo?!?!?!!

      Report Post »  
    • screw
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 11:12pm

      If our former Vice President says we are a democracy it must be so.

      Report Post » screw  
  • Legion5
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:10am

    Al is calling for a revolution to overthrow our government and create a new one or should I be blunt and say simply implement a marxist government over us. These vial beings wish to run every aspect of our life and will not rest until they get the fight they want, however, if we are not carful they will make it look like we started it to sell their brand of justice/revolution to establish a new order.

    Report Post » Legion5  
  • drphil69
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:10am

    What a moron. Why does anyone listen to him??

    According to his “wisdom” from about 5 years ago, the oceans should have flooded FL by now… oh and the statement that “just a few kilometers below the surface of the Earth it is MILLIONS of degrees…”

    We all know he stands to get rich off of trading carbon credits in his “greenhouse gas” scheme… yet the libs seems to eat up all the BS that comes out of his mouth.

    Mr. Gore – you want to see what democracy looks like? Take a look at Egypt. Too far? Take a walk through an OWS camp… yes, that is democracy. Separate the women out “for their protection.” Rape, murder, sexual assault, theft, public lewdness, property destruction, and on and on… If that is what you want, bring it on, your kind (LIBS) will either kill each other or starve to death, as the only thing you are good at is blowing hot air… speaking of which, if you really want to fix global warming, WHY DON’T YOU STOP EXHALING CO2?!?

    Report Post »  
    • G-WHIZ
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:39am

      They will go on and kill each other….and we will get-out-duh-popcorn and watch.

      Report Post »  
    • 1TrueOne55
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 1:31pm

      He just showed up because he had “Friends” in high places since he “Singlehandedly Created” the Internet in 1994. Just like he would fix the planet’s temperature problem by getting people to pay his companies “Carbon Credits” so they could fix it. And to get them to pay he had to “Prove” that it was man’s Industrial output that created the problem, well he was found out to be a Global SCAMMER when the scientists he employed were found to be lying about the numbers, so that whole project lost investors. And one investor in his scam became President of the US, ever wonder why CAP N TRADE made it to the House Floor and then dramatically failed? President B.O. over sold the program but the EPA is hell bent on forcing it down our throats just like Healthcare.

      Report Post » 1TrueOne55  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 3:58pm

      “CAP N TRADE” and “CARBON CREDITS”.. Can YOU just imagine how
      much evil laughter was going on when thes AH’s were thinking about
      doing this…..GOOD GAWD..!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In Chicago, no less….PURE EVIL.

      Report Post » MIBUGNU2  
  • elosogrande
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:07am

    No one has done more to destroy Democracy in America than this moral degenerate. This sad thing is that the generations brainwashed by the public schools on this country will listen to a piece of crap like Gore.

    Report Post »  
  • sawbuck
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:06am

    Hey Al..
    Don’t forget to plug the Karma…!
    ~~~
    An electric car company that received more than a half-billion-dollar Obama administration-approved loan is reportedly now assembling its first line of cars in rural Finland, rather than in the United States. What’s more, the car company, Fisker Automotive, is funded by a venture capital firm whose partners include former Vice President Al Gore.
    To make matters worse, Fisker is more than a year behind in rolling out its $97,000 luxury “Karma” car, funded in part with Department of Energy funds. A mere 40 Karmas have thus far been produced, with only two delivered to customers — one of whom is famed actor Leonardo DiCaprio.
    :

    Report Post » sawbuck  
  • pap pap
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:02am

    Foghorn Leghorn speaks again.

    Report Post »  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:02am

    I am calling out for all young people (because you know more than your parents) to rise up and help me release my second shakra. I call on all young people to please watch my TV channel, and please friend me on facebook. I call on all young people to give me a dollar. And I call on all young people to call me “Sultan of Swing”. Remember, ManBearPig is real.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • Zipit
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 7:27pm

      I think he might actually be serial about this! Shazam…

      Report Post »  
  • SoupSandwich
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:01am

    If he rode in on a solar powered Segway, maybe I wouldn’t still laugh at ManBearPig. Serial.

    Report Post »  
  • kingbullnuts
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:59am

    cant he get a life……………hard to belive that this man is still taken seriously

    Report Post »  
    • True American66
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:08am

      Can you believe he is still peddling that “climate crisis” bull?….and these kids; they have all been so UNDER educated by the public school systems that they all think “change” is the answer. If you ask me “change” is codeword for “destroy”

      Report Post »  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:24am

      Once again, my deepest thanks to GWB for preventing Algore from becoming our leader.

      Looks like Al could use some “Girth control”

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • BostonHarold
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 1:25pm

      We were all hoping the dangling chads in 2000 got rid of this tool once and for all.

      Report Post »  
  • BlackCrow
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:58am

    We have a REPUBLIC you IDIOT!!! Not a democracy, look it up!

    Report Post » BlackCrow  
  • Mark0331
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:56am

    Imagine, just imagine an EMP strike in this ocuntry…God forbid…but what would the left do? They have no cohesion nor morals and they would crumble without ‘technology’ giving them marching orders. Doubt any of them are self sufficient enough to survive…Would they ask conservatives for help? At this point in history, they have denigrated all this country stands for…they have sown their oats so to speak…

    Report Post » Mark0331  
    • lbyrd26
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:06am

      “Would they ask conservitives for help?” We are already helping them. Were the only ones left in kthis country with a job. Who else can support their free loading lifestyle. Personally, I like the fact that liberals are to lazy to work. I am glad to pay taxs to keep them at home. Can you imagine having to work with these freaks? Production would be so low it would be more expensive for these lazy S.O.B’s to have a job. I think they should stay stoned at home. I am happy to pay for their drugs and free housing. That way I know where they are at and what they are doing and my children have a chance to grow up safe, secure PROSPEROUS and happy

      Report Post »  
    • Rightallalong
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:18am

      Interesting thought. They would all be staring at their lifeless smartphone and GPS’s wondering what to do where to go and how can they get through it all without being able to tweet how hard life is now.

      I love technology, and use it everyday and earn a good living from it however I believe that when I see a group of kids standing next to each other texting instead of talking that I am seeing the prelude to the ‘Brave New World’ …

      Change is generational and when todays teens are adults they will have no clue about anything that was not delivered thru the smart phone, they will never even remember having a Bill of RIghts and they will think it perfectly normal to have a TSA good put his hands down your pants at airports, roadside checkpoints and major events. Freedom is lost incrementally becasue people want to just get on with life and after a few generations no one even remembers except a few of those crazy old people that keep talking about that stupid constitution.

      All the fake conservatives like Alan West and BILL OREILLY and that lot are doing more damage than the obvious enemies becasue they sneak thru and justify their trashing of our freedoms in order to get the bad guys. West is a prime example of this when he voted to crap on the constitution by voting for the NDAA.

      Report Post » Rightallalong  
    • Mark0331
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:36am

      My thoughts exactly. Well stated!!…its great knowing there are still fellow patriots out there…gives us all hope….Aldous Huxley is turning in his grave, that’s for sure. Orwell has already flipped over a few times though in frustration.

      Report Post » Mark0331  
  • spirited
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:53am

    Well…, Um, after all, Gore did invent the internet

    }$^ > (tears in eyes from laughing !) .

    Report Post » spirited  
  • littlefish
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:52am

    If Gloria Alread believes Rush should be arrested for his words . . . .
    then Al Gore is the biggest criminal ever . . .
    First his “Cap and Make-Me-Richer” scam over phony climate crap . . .
    AND NOW…
    he is advocating the overthrow of the US Government . . . .
    by using the “Occupy” tactics of overwhelming businesses and legitimate
    local governments with “F L A S H M O B S” . . . .
    he has NO shame, is a crook . . .AND with this move . .
    A Subversive and T R A I T O R …..
    I think G I T M O is too good for him . . .

    Report Post » littlefish  
    • jujubeebee
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:58am

      Maybe Gloria can rub Al’s back?

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:59am

      Remember how wound up he and Tipper were about Ozzy Osbourne‘s ’evil‘ lyrics back in the 80’s? Never a harsh word for a rapper though, killing cops and beating women is just good wholesome fun I guess.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • CatB
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:51am

    We are a REPUBLIC .. why can’t the libs get that in their fat skulls ….

    Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:56am

      Because, they want a Socialist Dictatorship!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • lbyrd26
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:15am

      Liberals, in their labored little world [It makes me dizzy, just trying to keep all of their hypocracies straight.} believe that this is a Democracy because their task masters tell them that. If liberals were all such free thinkers and so evolved why do they wait to be told what to think and say by the likes of Al Gore? They are useful idiots who have made their puppeteers lots of money by spewing the vulgarity that is liberalism. To get them to do this, they are told to believe that democracy is the loudest voices rule, not the majority. I don’t think they really want socialism, they have no idea what that is. I think they are just very self serving and have no ability to understand the consequences of their actions.

      Report Post »  
    • DYNA
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:52pm

      Liberals choose darkness over the Light and have no faith in God to meet their needs and give them life. They then make a god out of government with them being the privileged task masters. This pressures you to be their source of total supply.
      The irony is that they attempt to replace God with you to be their source of supply and security blanket, while they act as gods, lording it over you, to keep you dependent and in submission.

      Report Post »  
    • BostonHarold
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 2:00pm

      The Founders gave us a Republic because it was argued at the Constitutional Convention that a direct democracy would return us to a quasi-monarchial tyranny (desired by the federalists) in one election cycle. They called it the flock leading the shepherd.

      Report Post »  
  • AmazingGrace8
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:48am

    Hummm! seasons change, at least here in Mt., and right now I have been noticing the Jack-Rabbits are starting to change the color of their coats from white (winter-coat) to light tan (spring/summer coat). It is a gradual-change so they have a multi-color on their fur.

    Report Post »  
  • HKS
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:47am

    Al Gore, Really? I mean Really? what fool would listen to his agenda. His solar panel stock is crashing and he needs MO MONEY.

    Report Post » HKS  
    • Al Gored
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:10am

      “what fool would listen to his agenda”

      Obama and his his voters.

      Report Post »  
  • AJAYW
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:46am

    As always Al Gore( Clintons Whore ) spewing his liberal BS

    Report Post »  
    • lbyrd26
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:00am

      All the people who would listen to Al Gore are now outside thrfowing a temper tantrum because the tax payer doesn’t want to give them everything in life for free. It amazes me that free loaders like the Al Gore crowd actually think that they have more rights to being free loading lazy degenerates than I have at keeping my jhard earned money for my family. The only way Al Gore can get the word out for his new propoganda campaign {His Global Warming scam is over} Is to depend on outlets like this to cover it. It’s already gotten more publicity from this site than all the blustering he can muster on Current T.V.

      Report Post »  
    • atechgeek
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:12am

      This is a plot to cause unrest in the US allowing for martial law and the institution of a Global Governance. Watch who is behind all of this.

      Report Post »  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:45am

    Crazed Sex Poodles unite!

    Report Post » Tri-ox  
  • barber2
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:44am

    The word “ occupy ” has taken on a new and nasty connotation because of the International Far Left and their Democrat franchise here in America. Occupy now means that if you can’t convince the majority to follow your desires, you simply stage a political temper tantrum by bullying your way into public spaces, draining the economy with your presences, and demanding whatever it is that you still desire. I only hope that the majority of sensible voters next November occupy voting booths to put these political juvenile delinquents of the Left into “time out” so we can recover from their years of bullying and economic stupidity. Al Gore is just another liberal adult who never grew up and who manipulates the youthful, naive masses.

    Report Post »  
    • jujubeebee
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:55am

      loved your post!

      Report Post »  
    • MrMark
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:04am

      I’ll say “Amen!” to that.

      Also, Gore is an opportunist. His chief goal is to line his pockets and he’s found a way to move cash from the hands of the angry but disinformed followers of all things environmental and into his bank accounts. Now he’s tapping the tech crowd, also young and disinformed by the progressive propaganda machine, and seeks to use them to generate more income so he can pay his home power bills and buy more jet fuel for his speaking trips.

      Report Post »  
    • SoupSandwich
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 1:21pm

      Right on, right on, right on. Well said.

      Report Post »  
  • I.Gaspar
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:44am

    We have been screwed by obama, no question.
    But in many ways it might have been worse had this bloated fraud been elected president instead of Bush. Think of how much more damage he would have done to the country, making obama’s attempted coup all the more possible.
    Frightening.

    Report Post »  
  • goahead.makemyday
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:42am

    I don’t think Al here believes 9/10 words he says. However, I believe every word is to his financial or political and then financial gain.

    Report Post » goahead.makemyday  
    • goahead.makemyday
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:44pm

      Imagine if Gore was the President on 9/11Imagine if Gore was the President on 9/11. Where would we be?

      Report Post » goahead.makemyday  
  • Obama Nation
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:40am

    WND EXCLUSIVE

    O’Reilly: I’m too busy to report on Obama eligibility

    Bill says Sheriff Joe found no ‘hard evidence’ to support suspicions

    http://www.wnd.com/2012/03/oreilly-im-too-busy-to-report-on-obama-eligibility/

    Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:48am

      Since you have posted this same comment for about 6 different topics, I assume this was your “media assignment” for today’s Blaze. Tell your handlers that you achieved “ mission accomplished” so they can turn you lose on another ” educate the ignorant Blazers !” You get a gold star !

      Report Post »  
    • jujubeebee
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:53am

      I believe Obama pulled one over on all of us. Maybe they are not focusing on it because it would be better to hope Obama is kicked out in the next election? I don’t get it either. It is almost like Fox doesn’t do enough to supply information. Are they afraid or something?

      What social media can do for the left….they can also do for the right. We have have been a few steps behind in the last election but we can do the same. They can’t win without courting the ignorant vote and they constantly focus on using language terms to win. Their marketing strategy is counting on the ignorant vote. Hopefully people are paying closer attention and not just listening to the one sound bite they repeat over and over again for the ignorant vote. If it is religious freedom under attack then change it to women’s rights and get that message out there over and over again on the idiot shows. Our defense and offense needs to step up to win! Republican message needs to be clear and consise. Last time McCain threw the election in my opinion.

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:55am

      Yea, he’s too busy with important stuff like arguing with the “Culture Warrior” chicks about some TV show nobody has ever seen and inviting experts on so he can tell them where they’re going wrong. Oh, and book signings, they eat up a lot of time too.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Mark0331
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:40am

    Egotistical nightmare thinks he is still relevant…pathetic liberal.

    Report Post » Mark0331  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:38am

    “Both Gore and Parker derided the dominant role of television in elections and political dialogue.”
    Yea Al, we know. It was so much better when your side had complete control of the dialogue. Those were the good old days.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • hauschild
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:35am

    Mister Fat-Ass speaketh.

    Yawn …

    Report Post »  

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