Since I posted the Matt Harding stuff, I figured I should throw this out there, too. If you're not a Discovery Channel nut like me, you probably haven't seen this commercial. I've decided I think it is a pretty great concept. There are a couple versions, but this is the one they're playing most of the time lately. I think the other spot is a 30-second one...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5BxymuiAxQ
The World is Just Awesome.
Somehow, I haven't come across this before, but now I am a believer. Just watch the video then come back here and tell me what you thought.
http://wherethehellismatt.com/videos.shtml?fbid=YDmiG
I am torn between laugher and crying. It is pretty incredible to see all those places and all those people doing a dorky dance for no reason other than to make that video, yet at the same time (sorry if this is overstating things) it transcends country, economy, and culture -- it is one of the most unifying images I can remember seeing. This silly dance and this dude who found a way to capture it in all of those places shows us just how small our planet is and how everyone on it actually can get along (and do entertainingly silly dances for a camera).
Maybe I've had too much coffee, but for some crazy reason it really struck a chord with me...
EDIT: As if I needed more reason to get all sappy about this and think it is brilliant (from the comments to the BoingBoing post where I first saw this):