Martian

Video here

Anybody got any pet theories about what this fellow says that has such a profound effect on all those people?

Me, I reckon Spoiler: that he doesn't actually say anything. I think the impact is more in the reaction and the imagery than the words themselves.

But that is, of course, just my opinion.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

snowy

I think he speaks to something that is more relevant on different levels to every individual, and that is what is portayed in the video--the commonality we can all relate to.

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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

mixedmedia

I don't have any theories...perhaps something about the futility of trying and caring. Thom Yorke can be pretty...ehhhh, cynical about life. I don't think it necessarily reflects the words of the song, though. The song, to me, has always had a sort of Instant Karma kind of message to it. I used to sing it to my kids when something backfired on them that they shouldn't have been doing in the first place.

You do it to yourself, you do, and that's what really hurts, you do it to yourself, just you, you and know one else, you do it to yourseeeeelf, you do it to yourseeeeelf

Hah! They loved that, lol. But it would make them smile a little.

At any rate, me LOVES Radiohead. In fact we are a Radiohead-loving family.

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Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce

ratbastid

Wow. I love Radiohead and I'm totally into that song, but I'd never seen the video. That was AMAZING.

Obviously the point is the mystery.

However, if I were laying on the sidewalk and had something to say that would have everyone else lie down too, it would be something like (do you really want me to tell you? God help us all.): Spoiler: "There is no inherent meaning or value to your life or your self. Everything you've ever loved or hated or wanted or feared has been an illusion. What you call reality is merely the fevered dreams of your imagination."

mixedmedia

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Radiohead-7-.../dp/B00004CWJE

You can get this dvd on netflix. They don't have a lot of videos but the ones they do make are great.

__________________
Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce

fresnelly

I remember when this video came out, and it was getting plenty of airplay. Muchmusic (Canada's music video channel) was interviewing the band about it and the VJ asked them what the guy says at the end.

The band wouldn't tell of course, but then the VJ asked the members of the audience if any of them knew. Two teenage girls put up her hand and said they did. When asked how, the one girl said that her friend is deaf and can read lips. The band was a bit gobsmacked and she tactfully promised not to reveal it.

Ah, well. It may be revealed somwhere out there on the net, but perhaps it's best left to your imagination.

PS: I recently picked up Thom Yorke's solo disc The Eraser, and love it. If you're a fan of Radiohead's more minimalist albums like Amnesiac and Kid A, you'll love it too.

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Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life

ratbastid

Agreed. Yorke kicks much ass.

FoolThemAll

According to some alleged lip-readers in the comments section of that video, this is what he says:

Spoiler: "I'll tell you why. I'll tell you why."

In other words, they don't actually show him speaking the answer.

My thoughts:

Spoiler: It'd have to be something that they all suspected, could have easily verified without leaving that location, or something that triggered a memory in all of them. I'll go with this:

"The machines lost the war. We are all machines, trapped in the Matrix. Zion and the real world are just other parts of the Matrix. Keanu's wooden acting should've been a tipoff. The humans use the Matrix as a means of controlling us and as a form of subpar entertainment. There is no escape."

My preferred ending to the trilogy.

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I wonder if we're stuck in Rome.

Charlatan

Somewhere on TFP is a link to the awesome video for the acoustic version of Creep. It was easily one of the best videos I've seen.

I don't think it matters what the guy said. I think what is really important is what *you* think he said. The important thing is that you leave the video wondering and if it really works it will sneak up on you again and again.

I also agree that The Eraser is great.

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Martian

More Just fun.

This morning I stumbled across this funky little cover complete with a fun (and rather trippy) video. Anybody have any idea who this is?

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame