Man draws YouTube fame by dancing like a Really White Dude in 42 countries

[Oeditpus Rex]

NPR.org, July 9, 2008 · Matt Harding has gained a cult following for making and posting YouTube videos of himself in various exotic locales — dancing badly.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92352833



The compilation video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY



:shrug:

[MrCoffee]

1. I saw that video for the first time today...

and I smiled and felt all nice inside in spite of myself.

I must have had a mini-stroke or something last night. Or demons...I could have demons in me.

[Oeditpus Rex]

10. Y'know, I did too

At first I was all eye-rolly, but when people started dancing with him it was like, "Well, people are havin' fun bein' silly. Can't knock that."

:thumbsup:

[lost-in-nj]

2. I LOVE this

the premise
the video

the FUN he must have had


:hi:


lost


on edit : the one at the DMZ in Korea is priceless

[Robb]

9. I snickered at the DMZ too

Actually, I smiled quite a bit, despite myself. :)

[Schema Thing]

3. After about the 4th country, the guy looked at me with exasperation:

"Dude! would you quit following me around shooting at my feet?!"

[DarkTirade]

4. Worth watching at least to the middle

for the one in India. :)

[XemaSab]

5. That is SO awesome

The DMZ, Nellis, and the Panama Canal were my favorites. :D

[lost-in-nj]

6. The interview is wonderful

I have the feeling he's
one of us!!!!


:)


lost

[Fox Mulder]

7. I thought it was a dumb video.

:shrug:

[nytemare]

8. He is like the gnome in the film "Amelie".

Except, he dances and takes videos instead of photos.

Cool.

[XemaSab]

11. Kick!

:D

[PeaceNikki]

12. This is an awesome story.

:thumbsup:

This and the "Free Hugs" campaign always make me smile. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4

[Oeditpus Rex]

13. I favorited the Free Hugs bit the last time it went around

It gets me all misty. :)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

14. Love it!

[cwydro]

15. I am so glad you posted this.

I read about him the other day in the NYTimes and then saw the video and thought it was just great.

[arcadian]

16. It's a commercial

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3585959&mesg_id=3587390

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

17. So what? It's fun to watch, and if it's a commercial I sure couldn't tell

what it was advertising.

Don't piss on our campfire, dude. It's a neat video and we like it.

[arcadian]

18. You are right. Being informed is usually a bad idea.

IIB

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

19. What does "being informed" have to do with anything?

I liked the video. I thought it was fun and clever. I don't know what it's advertising and I don't care.

[arcadian]

20. I told you it was a commercial and you said you didn't care.

Commercials are all about creating a buzz. This one has done it's job. And it doesn't matter that you don't know what the product is or even if you buy it. You are talking about it. That is what viral marketing is all about.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

21. Does that mean I shouldn't enjoy it?

Or that there's something wrong with the fact that it's a commercial (even though you can't actually tell)? There are a few obvious commercials that I like a lot, too, because I think they are funny or clever, like the old "Herding Cats" ad. It makes no difference at all to me that there might be a commercial motive if it's enjoyable to watch. Ads aren't prima facie evil.

[cwydro]

24. Never mind

he doesn't get it.

It didn't start as a commercial...and is very low key as one even now.

I think it is fun to watch.

[arcadian]

26. I get it. I'm merely pointing out that it's viral advertising.

I don't care if people like it or not. I saw the first one and thought it was kind of neat. Guess it's no use to going against the grain though. Conformity starting... right... NOW.

[cwydro]

27. no.

you don't.

[arcadian]

28. Yes.

I. Do.

[PeaceNikki]

25. Did you read the last post in that thread you linked?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3585959&mesg_id=3591012

I agree 100% with Lisa0825:

"He did the first video on his own. The video got passed around. Stride saw an opportunity and made the offer. According to Matt, Stride has been very cool and hasn't interfered with him, and let him make the subsequent videos on his own. The ad is unobtrusive. I think Matt is cool. I loved his videos. They made me smile, laugh, and envy him for the amazing experiences he has had traveling. The glimpses of other cultures were beautiful, especially the Rwandan kids. The landscape shots and animal shots were awesome. My single favorite scene is when he is dancing with the folk dancers in India, and suddenly switches from his silly dance to joining in with the ladies' moves.

I spent about an hour exploring his website after the first video I saw because I enjoyed it so much. I also like the music in the videos and the story behind it. Matt seems like a very genuine person who took an opportunity was handed to him, and I see absolutely nothing wrong with that."

[Book Lover]

29. Actually, if he doesn't know the product name, it *is* a failure (nm)

[arcadian]

30. Wrong

That poster is talking about, that's all that matters. And now, you are talking about it, and so on and so on...

[Book Lover]

31. Christ

I fucking hate this place. Yes, you are right and I am wrong, wrong, wrong. Feel better now?

[arcadian]

32. I like Bruce Campbell

We can agree on that. :D

[crimsonblue]

33. who gives a flying F

if he had a sponsor for his trip? Does that make his trip any less real? No. I think you're just incredibly jealous.

[cwydro]

23. What you are missing here

is that it did not START as a commercial. He was just having fun. Read the Times article on Monday and learn. He posted this on his website long before the days of youtube...try not to be so cynical and just let others enjoy something that is just fun.

You can also watch his interview on youtube and learn how it started. He was approached by the gum company long after it started. And hey, if someone offered me a round the world trip for having fun, I'd be on it quick.

[gristy]

22. Yes! I saw the article in the NY times at work today and wanted to find the vid when I got home

That is one very well put together video. Awesome.