60 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 76 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
Exclusive to OpEd News:
Life Arts    H4'ed 7/23/09

The Accidental Dancer: Where the Hell is Matt?

By       (Page 1 of 5 pages)   10 comments, 2 series
Follow Me on Twitter     Message Meryl Ann Butler
Become a Fan
  (81 fans)

(Image by Unknown Owner)   Details   DMCA


Where the Hell IS Matt?

He's not hard to find. The unpretentious, self-described, "32-year-old deadbeat from Connecticut," currently resides right smack at the top four google results for "Matt."

Matt Harding's quirky "dance heard 'round the world" has been viewed nearly 75 million times online. He's no Barishnikov, yet his geeky dance moves have netted him personal appearances on Good Morning America, American Morning, and The Early Show. His video clips have been seen on a long list of daytime shows, topped by Oprah and Ellen.


(Image by Unknown Owner)   Details   DMCA


Time magazine called Where the Hell is Matt 2008 the best viral video of the year, neatly positioning it a full three places ahead of the seminal blockbuster, Hamster on a Piano (Eating Popcorn).

And now Matt's quirky new book offers more insights into his media miracle, inspiring lots of laughter and a few tears, as it sits happily on appreciative coffee tables.  Â


(Image by Unknown Owner)   Details   DMCA


Did he plan all this success? Nope. It all sort of just happened while he was busy "following his bliss," to quote the venerable Joseph Campbell.

A video game designer, Matt had responded sarcastically to their high levels of violence by quipping to his boss that the next game should be called, "Destroy All Humans."Â They took him seriously. That game is now a hit. But Matt realized right away that he had sabotaged himself by inspiring a project that he had absolutely no desire to participate in.


(Image by Unknown Owner)   Details   DMCA


So he traded his increasingly unsatisfying job for footloose adventure. In 2003 he traveled around the globe for the duration of his savings.Â

He and his friend Brad were hangin' in Hanoi, when Brad said the deceptively innocent words, "hey, stand over there and do that silly dance you do, and I'll record it on your camera."

It was an animated souvenir, akin to the familiar traveling gnome prank: featured in the 2001 movie, Amalie, a garden gnome is kidnapped, taken on a trip, and photographed at famous landmarks before being returned.


(Image by Unknown Owner)   Details   DMCA


So, Matt collected dancing clips as personal mementos for the remainder of the trip.

Next Page  1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Interesting 1   Inspiring 1   Valuable 1  
Rate It | View Ratings

Meryl Ann Butler Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Meryl Ann Butler is an artist, author, educator and OpedNews Managing Editor who has been actively engaged in utilizing the arts as stepping-stones toward joy-filled wellbeing since she was a hippie. She began writing for OpEdNews in Feb, 2004. She became a Senior Editor in August 2012 and Managing Editor in January, (more...)
 

Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Follow Me on Twitter     Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

CEO Ridiculed for Raising Minimum Wage to $70K Has the Last Laugh

The Bizarre Theft of Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski's Miracle Cancer Cure

Mysterious Bayou Sinkhole Continues to Cave In: Radiation, Hydrocarbons Detected

Tips for Avoiding Coronavirus

Relentless Bayou Corne Sinkhole Nearly 30 Times Original Size (UPDATED with Cave-In Video)

Sex, Love, and Jesus: A Few Surprises in the Easter Basket

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend