We got each other, and that's a lot

May 1, 2016 3:13 AM

Fan Jeremy Fry dances to Bon Jovi at a 2009 Celtics game. Via this Aeon link: How being awesome became the currency of our time.
posted by Sebmojo (16 comments total)

I was all set to cringe my way through that first link, but it's actually really, really charming--thank you for sharing this!
posted by mishafletch at 3:24 AM on May 1, 2016

Agreed! This is pure showmanship. Thank you!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 4:28 AM on May 1, 2016

I watched this with the sound off the first time through (husband is sleeping) and I still knew where he was in the song :)
posted by ersatzkat at 5:22 AM on May 1, 2016

Unadulterated awesome, indeed.
posted by anotherpanacea at 5:23 AM on May 1, 2016

I was all on board with Riggle's argument until he started to imply that our fascination with "awesomeness", or "creative community building", is new or unprecedented, instead of casting it in a more sociological frame: maybe in a country of a common language but diverse subcultures the natural inclination for bridging social capital has come to be expressed by the awesome/suck pair. However, the two examples of suck that he gives are problematic. What if the Big Blue Blazer was motivated by a sense that the young man's display was inappropriate for the forum he was in? What if the barista is discomfited by or is incapable of the type of "social opening"-forming behavior that is being exemplified? Where in the awesome/suck dynamic can you have a discussion about how to negotiate varying norms and preferences?
posted by johnnydummkopf at 5:46 AM on May 1, 2016 [4 favorites]

I've always said some version of "who does this guy think he is, Ferris Bueller?" Because of all people on Earth, no one will ever be more awesome than Ferris. Except back in those says we simply accepted his awesomeness and didn't have to tag him with it...if/when they remake that film they will no doubt call it "Ferris Bueller's Awesome Day Off." And the world will die a little.
posted by nevercalm at 5:51 AM on May 1, 2016 [4 favorites]

But isn't being "awesome" kinda like being "competitive"? Ie, is it scalable?

Alternatively, I think we should all "be excellent to each other" and still party on.
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 5:55 AM on May 1, 2016 [3 favorites]

Isn't awesomeness inherently subjective? In his example of the "small price to be one human again" joke to the barista, don't we recognize there are plenty of jokes that go there that could suck instead? Or even that this perfectly solid joke could be repeated enough times to start sucking?

Many co-workers will say "Happy Friday!" and chortle or even high five on Fridays, delighting in the awesomeness of an impending weekend.

Meanwhile, I am quietly fantasizing about a nuclear bomb.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:32 AM on May 1, 2016 [2 favorites]

I can't stand that song (maybe I suck on that count) but that dude in the video is pretty awesome.
I think the Aeon article does a good job of describing social awesomeness, but it does other awesomenesses a disservice by implying it's the only kind. Pizza is awesome, that song I dig is awesome, George Carlin's jokes (rest his soul) are bitter-awesome, all in ways that aren't necessarily social. I would define general awesomeness as a form of excellence that also has an element of joy inherent to it; extreme awesomeness excellence and joy to the brink of disbelief.
That said, party on dudes.
posted by threecheesetrees at 7:28 AM on May 1, 2016 [1 favorite]

i might've proposed to this man on the spot after the song was over to be honest
posted by suddenly, and without warning, at 7:31 AM on May 1, 2016 [3 favorites]

Conversely, suckiness is unpleasant but also inherently tinged with disappointment, awesomeness thwarted.
posted by threecheesetrees at 7:32 AM on May 1, 2016

Love this - social component of awesomeness and the growing awareness and celebration of same? Fascinating! And even encouraging. Thanks for the post!
posted by emmet at 7:50 AM on May 1, 2016 [1 favorite]

That was fabulous-but my favorite past was watching-and empathizing with-the really awkward reactions of the people around him. I want to be in the video of this cool thing! I want to be cool too but have no idea how to so I'll flail my hand awkwardly in his direction! I'll be very awkward and just hope he goes away if I don't make eye contact, like the table side musician at the restaurant!
posted by purenitrous at 7:52 AM on May 1, 2016 [7 favorites]

Sports . . .community . . something something. Beer(?)
posted by petebest at 4:55 AM on May 2, 2016

I always liked how his mom (I assume?) just looks really pleased but not shocked at all, like this is exactly what she expected to happen when she let him know he was on.
posted by history_denier at 11:32 AM on May 2, 2016

Yup awesome.

As is the video that came up next. Please forgive me for the stereotype(s) but a black guy, at a hockey game, boogieing to AC/DC and throwing in a disco move at the end was also awesome and not something you see every day.
posted by raider at 4:42 PM on May 2, 2016