Hi everyone! Recently, I was on YouTube about to search for a really exciting math video, when on my home page, I was recommended a video called, “3 random strangers make an awesome song.” At first, I thought it was strange for YouTube to recommend this to me since it was uploaded in 2014, and I typically do not watch videos like those. Nonetheless, I still ended up clicking on it because I figured it would be wholesome and seemed a little more entertaining than math (no offense to any math-lovers). Spoiler alert: I was correct. To give context, the video showed a man playing a song on an acoustic guitar in front of a convenience store. As the song progressed, someone else joined in and added on vocals. Soon after, a third man joined and started to rap. To reiterate from the title, these three men never met or rehearsed together before: it was completely improvised. I then watched a somewhat similar video from 2015 with train passengers (strangers once again) joyfully singing “Over the Rainbow” on a dreary Monday morning. I found these videos uplifting, and they actually inspired me to write this blog post comparing 2020/2021 to back then. I will also link a couple of the videos I am referring to at the bottom of this post in case anyone is interested.
First, to point out an obvious difference, Covid-19 was not in existence. Everyone was not fearful of being in close proximity to each other, not wearing masks, not as restricted, etc. What struck me in particular, though, is how people were not only closer physically, but also emotionally and socially. Compared to now, there seemed to be much less division and chaos in the world. Everyone seemed to be more united, happy, full of love, and less cold and distant. Positive, beautiful parts of life were actually being captured and shared online, which unfortunately is much less common nowadays. In fact, I think the reason I found these YouTube videos especially refreshing and touching was because I have been conditioned to expect mostly negative portrayals of life online these past couple of years. While life in 2014 and 2015 was not perfect either and should not solely be judged on short videos of strangers singing together, I am just pointing out that the tone of life seemed more cheerful and trusting back then.
Watching people from different backgrounds, who did not even know each other, show such respect for one another and make something fun and beautiful together was a much needed reminder that it is possible for the world to be just as bright as it is dark. With all the hate, racism, discrimination, and rampant cancel culture I learn about/observe constantly, these videos warmed my heart and gave me more hope in our society.
Judging from the comment sections of the videos, I know I am not alone in my opinion. One of the comments in particular was, “The world could be like this everyday if we wanted to…” (in reference to the video of the people singing together happily on the subway). Even though it was such a short and simple comment, it caused me to really pause for a moment and reflect. This comment helped me realize that I should not be so hopeless in the future of our society and that it is possible to be united once again. After all, the power is in our own hands to revive the trust and inclusiveness that we once had. Gen-Z in particular has been such an active generation in fighting for change, and while we may be going through a more difficult time historically, I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel. Let me know if you watch the videos, or anything similar, and what you think of them! Do you think there is a significant difference between then and now? If you agree with my perspective, do you think that the future can be brighter and have a more united, optimistic society?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr478w--dpE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xctzp0dp9uc
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