Tag: pop

What Does YouTube Tell Us About Us?

I admit that I am a bit freaky about data. Numbers, and what they tell you. I also admit that I am a bit Rain Man about them–perhaps much more idiot than savant. But sometimes I see stories in flat numbers.

The story begins with this video.

Since being posted 4-months ago, it has been viewed 9,037,074 times. That includes 1 million views since I first saw it two weeks ago. For some odd reason, I am entertained by the video, and have since learned to do the Crank Dat Soulja Boy dance. Very aerobic. [as an aside: you can do it, too. Here is a link to the instructional video which has been viewed 1,266,561 times since August 2nd. ]

Now here is the story. Somehow millions of people have seen the simple, low-res video of three guys doing part of a dance. It has become a viral thing of beauty. I have seen it and sent it on to more than a few people. They have seen it and sent it on, too.

Why do people like this video? I don’t know.

Looking at other videos on YouTube can give a window into what people are drawn to–maybe even the zeitgeist.

What are you watching? What do you value?

(c) 2005-2016 Doctor of Thinkology. Some rights reserved under Creative Commons License.
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If A Tree Fell In the Forest and Nobody Was There to Hear

Would it make a sound? A peep? A whimper? A winkle? (provided by 12-year old looking over my shoulder).

Me: Hey, what will we do Tuesday night now that Idol is over.
Him: I don’t miss American Idol.
Me: Hey, I don’t miss it either.

Last year, it seemed there was a void after the Tues/Wed one-two punch of Idol was over. We didn’t really like either finalist, but we had been hooked on the process. But this year, we really didn’t care.

Hmmm. Why is that? There just wasn’t much drama this year. No transplanted Southern girl with a daddy in jail learning about California cuisine. No old-looking guy who surprised us all, until we go so tired with his “whoo!” and “soul patrol” shouting. No shock when the shoo-in arrogant Rocker was booted.

This year, it was just, well, kind of dull. Dull songs. Dull contestants. The judges were dull. Paula stayed sober, Randy stayed within his SlimFast® goal, and Simon used the same, tired schtick about karaoke and a bad high-school performance (DIY British accent). The winner was so safe. Yes, she sang well, but she couldn’t move without looking completely uncomfortable. And the guy who was taking a chance, was even more calculated. A masterful chess game for him, but just not enough oomph.

Sure, there was a Daughtry-esque turn when this year’s shoo-in got booted. But it wasn’t REALLY a surprise. At least not to us.

So, we ended up watching our last TiVo’d episode of Idol. Fast forwarded to the end when the host had the two finalists on the stage. He said that there were a large number of votes and then.

Well, nothing. American Idol went on past the safety record time. So we didn’t know the winner. And instead of being upset, we laughed. Because we really didn’t care. Now THAT’s apathy.

(c) 2005-2016 Doctor of Thinkology. Some rights reserved under Creative Commons License.
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Bono on "Idol"

We are excited to announce that Bono (!!??!) will be making an appearance Wednesday night on American Idol. –email from Susan McCue of ONE.org

Now there is a sentence I never expected to read. You know, one with Bono and American Idol. As in Bono making appearance on the kitschy-est show on TV. Bono appearing with Simon, Paula, Randy and Ryan? Must be a joke. But it’s real.

Thinking on it, I am amazed by Bono’s comitment to fighting poverty. American Idol is not a shine on his personal brand, and Bono is very protective of his rock-star brand. He describes himself a rock-star. He likes being a rock star.

Bono is stepping out in a way that would make other brands squirm, or even retch. Stepping out because he knows that this is a huge stage from which he can bring his message to millions of AI viewers. Millions of young people and not such young people. He is committed to raising awareness and raising money. And if American Idol is a good venue, then let’s go.

Now, though, this is my PROOF that the fix was in to get rid of Sanjaya. I was very suspicious as his final performance was no worse than the weeks before when he wasn’t even in the bottom three.

But I bet that no matter how much Bono is committed to raising money to fight poverty and aids in Africa, standing on a stage with Sanjaya was probably too much. Crap, I bet he would even have done that. Bono shows us how to make ourselves better.

Check out the ONE Blog

(c) 2005-2016 Doctor of Thinkology. Some rights reserved under Creative Commons License.
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