I’m not sure if this is anything new, but maybe it’s getting worse. Most of my friends when I was younger wouldn’t do anything more than the “stand still and sway” method of dancing because they didn’t want to look silly.
When I was young, the phrase “dance like nobody’s watching” became popular. I remember thinking it was true, most of my anxiety about dancing was a fear of being judged by someone else. I’d see other people dance and think that they aren’t doing anything special. They aren’t dancing well or doing crazy moves. They are just jumping around and having a good time. “Jump Around” was like just one of five hit dance songs about jumping. But I resisted because I thought people would think my dancing looked silly. And they’d be right, I was and remain a terrible dancer. I’m awkward, arthritic, and lacking in coordination and rhythm.
But there was no social media. No cell phone cameras. No internet. If someone did get a picture or even a video, it might be months before a small select group of people saw it. Hell, even if your bad dancing somehow made the news, it would still only be seen by the regional viewers watching that evening.
Today, if you’re a bad dancer, you could be filmed without your knowledge or permission, and become a viral sensation for millions of people to see.
If I were young today, there’s no chance in hell I’d be out on the dance floor.
Today, if you’re a bad dancer, you could be filmed without your knowledge or permission, and become a viral sensation for millions of people to see.
Eh, to be honest, I don’t see why I should care what internet dwellers have to say about me. I don’t live on (mainstream) social media and it’s not like I’m doing anything harmful. I cared too much in my teen years and hit the elderly-tier ‘idgaf’ phase early in response.
Someone below mentioned bullying, and that is a real problem, but really, bullies (as opposed to casual trivial banter) don’t have many entries into my life now that I don’t have to sit in a classroom every day.
And don’t forget, that guy experienced a shit ton of bullying before the hive mind decided that he was worth protecting. Most viral video sensations don’t get that second part out of their 15 minutes of fame. They just get the bullying and shame.
I think businesses are already seeing the effect of a lack of similar action. Young people are going out much less, drinking much less, spending less, and as described in this article, dancing less. There are a ton of other reasons for that (income inequality, inflation, political stressors, health and safety concerns, etc) but social media has had a deleterious effect on the economics of social gatherings.
Hmm in my experience of nightclubs a few years ago, I felt like I had to have my phone on me at all times because of the hazards cough creepy dudes cough, so I wonder how they enforce this.
You can keep your smartphone but they have you put stickers over the cameras before you are let in. If you remove them you might have a one-on-one session with Sven.
“Ask for Angela” is one attempt at a solution but the problem historically has been lack of training for club/bar staff to recognize and respond to the codeword.
I’m not sure if this is anything new, but maybe it’s getting worse. Most of my friends when I was younger wouldn’t do anything more than the “stand still and sway” method of dancing because they didn’t want to look silly.
When I was young, the phrase “dance like nobody’s watching” became popular. I remember thinking it was true, most of my anxiety about dancing was a fear of being judged by someone else. I’d see other people dance and think that they aren’t doing anything special. They aren’t dancing well or doing crazy moves. They are just jumping around and having a good time. “Jump Around” was like just one of five hit dance songs about jumping. But I resisted because I thought people would think my dancing looked silly. And they’d be right, I was and remain a terrible dancer. I’m awkward, arthritic, and lacking in coordination and rhythm.
But there was no social media. No cell phone cameras. No internet. If someone did get a picture or even a video, it might be months before a small select group of people saw it. Hell, even if your bad dancing somehow made the news, it would still only be seen by the regional viewers watching that evening.
Today, if you’re a bad dancer, you could be filmed without your knowledge or permission, and become a viral sensation for millions of people to see.
If I were young today, there’s no chance in hell I’d be out on the dance floor.
Eh, to be honest, I don’t see why I should care what internet dwellers have to say about me. I don’t live on (mainstream) social media and it’s not like I’m doing anything harmful. I cared too much in my teen years and hit the elderly-tier ‘idgaf’ phase early in response.
Someone below mentioned bullying, and that is a real problem, but really, bullies (as opposed to casual trivial banter) don’t have many entries into my life now that I don’t have to sit in a classroom every day.
Exactly. Every person worries that they are one shaky phone video away from internet mockery.
It worked out ok for this guy but only by a stroke of internet luck.
And don’t forget, that guy experienced a shit ton of bullying before the hive mind decided that he was worth protecting. Most viral video sensations don’t get that second part out of their 15 minutes of fame. They just get the bullying and shame.
Maybe its time more clubs adopt the strict no-cameras policy of Berghain in Berlin.
I think businesses are already seeing the effect of a lack of similar action. Young people are going out much less, drinking much less, spending less, and as described in this article, dancing less. There are a ton of other reasons for that (income inequality, inflation, political stressors, health and safety concerns, etc) but social media has had a deleterious effect on the economics of social gatherings.
Hmm in my experience of nightclubs a few years ago, I felt like I had to have my phone on me at all times because of the hazards cough creepy dudes cough, so I wonder how they enforce this.
You can keep your smartphone but they have you put stickers over the cameras before you are let in. If you remove them you might have a one-on-one session with Sven.
“Ask for Angela” is one attempt at a solution but the problem historically has been lack of training for club/bar staff to recognize and respond to the codeword.