Sometimes while researching a story on pop culture, I must endure heinous sights and horrid stories of contemptible human idiocy.
I once visited a monster convention. Remember the little baby that came back from the dead in "Pet Semetary" and went on a killing spree? If you do, Lord help you, because that was a horrible movie. But I got his autograph anyway. Then I was followed for the rest of the day by some guy dressed as Michael Meyers from the "Halloween" movies. I had to explain to him that it could never work out between us. I'm married and, you know ... he's a nutcase. I think he took it well.
Then there was the time I wrote about the cat running for the Senate. There was a lot of stimulating cat research involved there, and I have to tell you, cats freak me out. I'm the kind of person that goes online and screams when I see what is supposed to be a cute kitty with a caption under it saying, "Can I haz cookie?" Because no, you can't haz cookie, because we all know you would rather pounce on and devour a slimy rodent live than haz cookie. Not cute.
I've written about the apocalypse preppers three times, including a piece on people prepping for the zombie apocalypse. Suffice it to say these are not the brightest people in the world; or the richest. They choose to spend their money on supplies to protect themselves from the undead. I'm pretty sure I probably ran into a few of these people at the monster convention, because it's always good to know your enemy.
But this week, I topped out when I decided to look into the phenomenon known as the "Harlem Shake." Big mistake.
I'd been hearing about the Harlem Shake for a couple of weeks, but when I heard my daughters talking about this particular piece of pop culture, I knew I had to check into it. So I turned to the all-seeing, all-knowing Internet.
However, after a grueling 10 minutes of watching the Harlem Shake online, I have to say - and I hope this doesn't make me sound like an old poop - I don't get it.
Here's how it works: one person dances randomly, often wearing some sort of wacky costume, while everyone ignores him. Then, presumably overcome by the heinous music, everyone is dancing; if you want to call it dancing. It looks more like a mass seizure. This makes sense because if you've ever heard the "song" by DJ and producer Baauer, you understand how it might induce a mass seizure. It's horrendous.
I have to say, if I had to choose between watching more Harlem Shake videos, looking at cat pictures, talking to apocalypse preppers, or being stalked by a man so obsessed with a fictional, unkillable, psychotic mass murderer that he dresses like him and goes to monster conventions, I'm going to go with the stalker.
Why? Because when I asked him to, he went away. Granted, he probably just went on to stalk someone else.
The others? No matter how much I wish they would just go away, it looks like they're here to stay.
At least until some worse pop culture phenomenon comes along.
- Rebecca Todd is a freelance writer and the author of the book "What's the Point?" available at booklocker.com. Contact her at btodd@tds.net.
I hate dog movies. In dog movies, the good, loyal, lovable dog always dies at the end and I end up sitting there in the dark with big tears streaming down my cheeks.
I’ve not kept it a secret that I find people who dress their dogs in clothes to be, to put it nicely, somewhat more than just eccentric. And many friendly, helpful readers out there have not kept it a secret that they really wish I would not express my views about dogs dressed as humans.
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
It sounds like the plot from a dystopian libertarian novel. The word “patriot” and the phrase “educating on the Constitution and Bill of Rights” triggered heightened scrutiny from the most intrusive agency in the federal government.
The action at the bird feeder has been spectacular lately: Cardinals, finches, songbirds in impressive variety crowding around all day long in search of sustenance. It is truly gratifying …
Everyone presumes that Sen. Chuck Schumer, the media-hungry Democrat from New York, wants to be the next Senate majority leader. His performance in the negotiations over the Gang of Eight immigration plan should bolster his case for an eventual promotion.
An NPR broadcast examines the question of how communities can better prepare for tornadoes like the one that struck Moore, Okla. on Monday. The broadcast features commentary from Michael Fitzgerald, who reported a five-part disaster series for the CNHI News Service.
When J.J. Abrams took over the "Star Trek" franchise in 2009, he boldly went where the series hadn't gone before — romantically — pairing Uhura with Spock. Many fans disliked the change. Some loved it. Others didn't care, because they just wanted to see Kirk and Spock make out.
An NPR broadcast examines the question of how communities can better prepare for tornadoes like the one that struck Moore, Okla. on Monday. The broadcast features commentary from Michael Fitzgerald, who reported a five-part disaster series for the CNHI News Service.
Commentary
Discussion
Shaking up pop culture
By Rebecca Todd CNHI
Sometimes while researching a story on pop culture, I must endure heinous sights and horrid stories of contemptible human idiocy.
I once visited a monster convention. Remember the little baby that came back from the dead in "Pet Semetary" and went on a killing spree? If you do, Lord help you, because that was a horrible movie. But I got his autograph anyway. Then I was followed for the rest of the day by some guy dressed as Michael Meyers from the "Halloween" movies. I had to explain to him that it could never work out between us. I'm married and, you know ... he's a nutcase. I think he took it well.
Then there was the time I wrote about the cat running for the Senate. There was a lot of stimulating cat research involved there, and I have to tell you, cats freak me out. I'm the kind of person that goes online and screams when I see what is supposed to be a cute kitty with a caption under it saying, "Can I haz cookie?" Because no, you can't haz cookie, because we all know you would rather pounce on and devour a slimy rodent live than haz cookie. Not cute.
I've written about the apocalypse preppers three times, including a piece on people prepping for the zombie apocalypse. Suffice it to say these are not the brightest people in the world; or the richest. They choose to spend their money on supplies to protect themselves from the undead. I'm pretty sure I probably ran into a few of these people at the monster convention, because it's always good to know your enemy.
But this week, I topped out when I decided to look into the phenomenon known as the "Harlem Shake." Big mistake.
I'd been hearing about the Harlem Shake for a couple of weeks, but when I heard my daughters talking about this particular piece of pop culture, I knew I had to check into it. So I turned to the all-seeing, all-knowing Internet.
However, after a grueling 10 minutes of watching the Harlem Shake online, I have to say - and I hope this doesn't make me sound like an old poop - I don't get it.
Here's how it works: one person dances randomly, often wearing some sort of wacky costume, while everyone ignores him. Then, presumably overcome by the heinous music, everyone is dancing; if you want to call it dancing. It looks more like a mass seizure. This makes sense because if you've ever heard the "song" by DJ and producer Baauer, you understand how it might induce a mass seizure. It's horrendous.
I have to say, if I had to choose between watching more Harlem Shake videos, looking at cat pictures, talking to apocalypse preppers, or being stalked by a man so obsessed with a fictional, unkillable, psychotic mass murderer that he dresses like him and goes to monster conventions, I'm going to go with the stalker.
Why? Because when I asked him to, he went away. Granted, he probably just went on to stalk someone else.
The others? No matter how much I wish they would just go away, it looks like they're here to stay.
At least until some worse pop culture phenomenon comes along.
- Rebecca Todd is a freelance writer and the author of the book "What's the Point?" available at booklocker.com. Contact her at btodd@tds.net.
I hate dog movies. In dog movies, the good, loyal, lovable dog always dies at the end and I end up sitting there in the dark with big tears streaming down my cheeks.
May 21, 2013
Mr. President, the buck stops with you.
President Truman set that standard, with these very words posted on a sign on his Oval Office desk.
But now, with over a thousand days left in this second Obama administration, we find a Nixonian stench emerging from the “W. House.”
May 21, 2013
Rarely has the White House briefing room so resembled the main ballroom at a meeting of the Conservative Political Action Conference.
May 21, 2013
I’ve not kept it a secret that I find people who dress their dogs in clothes to be, to put it nicely, somewhat more than just eccentric. And many friendly, helpful readers out there have not kept it a secret that they really wish I would not express my views about dogs dressed as humans.
May 17, 2013
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
May 17, 2013
The federal government recently announced new regulations for buying fast food.
May 17, 2013
It sounds like the plot from a dystopian libertarian novel. The word “patriot” and the phrase “educating on the Constitution and Bill of Rights” triggered heightened scrutiny from the most intrusive agency in the federal government.
May 17, 2013
The action at the bird feeder has been spectacular lately: Cardinals, finches, songbirds in impressive variety crowding around all day long in search of sustenance. It is truly gratifying …
For my neighbor.
That’s what it’s like at his feeder.
May 14, 2013
On April 27, Dr. Jeff Butts demonstrated a rare form of servant leadership as he participated in the Go Love Indy westside service project.
May 13, 2013
Everyone presumes that Sen. Chuck Schumer, the media-hungry Democrat from New York, wants to be the next Senate majority leader. His performance in the negotiations over the Gang of Eight immigration plan should bolster his case for an eventual promotion.
May 13, 2013
Follow me on Twitter
Will you be attending this year's Indy 500?
Tires
Telecommunications
Beauty Salons
Government
An NPR broadcast examines the question of how communities can better prepare for tornadoes like the one that struck Moore, Okla. on Monday. The broadcast features commentary from Michael Fitzgerald, who reported a five-part disaster series for the CNHI News Service.
May 22, 2013 1 Photo
Complete Report:
Part I: Are We Prepared? | Part II: Disaster Dollars
Part III: Lessons Learned | Part IV: Warning Signs
Part V: The Big One
When J.J. Abrams took over the "Star Trek" franchise in 2009, he boldly went where the series hadn't gone before — romantically — pairing Uhura with Spock. Many fans disliked the change. Some loved it. Others didn't care, because they just wanted to see Kirk and Spock make out.
May 22, 2013 1 Photo
An NPR broadcast examines the question of how communities can better prepare for tornadoes like the one that struck Moore, Okla. on Monday. The broadcast features commentary from Michael Fitzgerald, who reported a five-part disaster series for the CNHI News Service.
May 22, 2013 1 Photo
Complete Report:
Part I: Are We Prepared? | Part II: Disaster Dollars
Part III: Lessons Learned | Part IV: Warning Signs
Part V: The Big One
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