{"contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"helenaspopkin"}

Silly video infuriates Internet

News Type: Opinion — Seeded on Mon Oct 20, 2008 10:55 AM EDT

Article Source: msnbc.com

technology, internet, youtube, journey, video, irony, economy

Seeded by HelenA.S.Popkin

It's so rare in this day and age that one has the opportunity to use "irony" in its true sense.

I'd like to think that's the reason the bloodthirsty blogosphere clamped on to an allegedly leaked viral video exhibiting the tomfoolery of a bunch of Silicon Alley 20-somethings and their meticulously choreographed lip-sync of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing."

You see, the video in question was filmed at a stratospherically-loaded investment banker's Mediterranean vacation home, and features his son Sam Lessin, the young CEO of drop.io, a Web start-up based completely on the attainment of Internet privacy.

Alas, the reason behind the video's massive page views is far uglier than a grammatical smackdown. Unsurprising, given the economical ugliness of the past few weeks. This recorded rookery of "tech elite," as dubbed by Tech Crunch, popped up on the Internet —whether by choice or chance — right around the time Silicon Alley started melting down: eBay layoffs, Google's stock tanking and Yahoo's implosion, etc.

Apparently, nothing makes the proletariat get our "Eat The Rich" on like a bunch of successful Ivy League brats mouthing the words to an '80s rock anthem at a gleaming white seaside estate in Cyprus.

msnbc.com wants to know what you think. Is this video in very bad taste, worthy of derision? Or is it just silly fun, and everyone should just leave these kids alone?

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{"commentId":3589461,"authorDomain":"starfox7000"}

starfox7000

Why can't we have some good news once in a while. Like " A small passenger plane crashed off the coast of Cyprus carrying Sam Lessin, Jessica Vascellaro. The possibilty for survivors is slim". WooHoo!!!

{"commentId":3589461,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"starfox7000"}

3 votes

#1 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:26 AM EDT

{"commentId":3596483,"authorDomain":"PeterMerel"}

Peter Merel

What infuriates me is fluff and BS. Why can't we just Stop Spinning? Let's refocus on signal, not this fluff.

{"commentId":3596483,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"PeterMerel"}

#1.1 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 6:08 PM EDT

{"commentId":3589681,"authorDomain":"crodgers2"}

CR-536956

Everyone is entitled to free speach no matter how unpopular it is. If I start censoring people for what they say, How can I have the right to say what I want. If it's in bad taste, so be it. Accept it and move on.

{"commentId":3589681,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"crodgers2"}

#2 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:39 AM EDT

{"commentId":3590002,"authorDomain":"slong3"}

Angry-546241

Enormously bad taste. Typically bad taste.

{"commentId":3590002,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"slong3"}

2 votes

#3 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:56 AM EDT

{"commentId":3590918,"authorDomain":"geomcpheron"}

George McPheron

freedom of speech is our most precious right and no matter how bad or in poor taste it is protected.

I will always defend free speech,even for my worst opponent, but he or she can count on seeing my rebuttal

{"commentId":3590918,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"geomcpheron"}

1 vote

#4 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 12:46 PM EDT

{"commentId":3591384,"authorDomain":"dcartmel"}

David-656936

I loved the first version, Great recreation, but not nearly as good with the lip dubbing. I wonder where College Humor got the idea two years ago. The dance moves did not go as well with this song. But for everyone that saw the first version it clued them into where this came from. Only mistake was taking it upstairs and thus they could not come back to were it started. Is this all it takes now? Remake something from two years ago, with our short memories.

{"commentId":3591384,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"dcartmel"}

#5 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 1:11 PM EDT

{"commentId":3591677,"authorDomain":"djfargo"}

Djfargo

Personally I think it is both entertaining and looked like a bit of fun to shoot and do. I hope they had a blast. Tech is over inflated along with most of the rest of the world...although I am a bit jealous of the nice pool.

{"commentId":3591677,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"djfargo"}

#6 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 1:26 PM EDT

{"commentId":3591764,"authorDomain":"shannondevans"}

shannondevans

Blah Blah Blah...You freakin people kill me. This isn't about Free Speech, people, it never is, if it was, we would never hear about the socially & culturally retarded who put themselves on the Internet or some other form of mass media and show the world who/what they truely are. We would never hear about the total idiocy of anything they said or did. I swear, everytime some moron does something thoughtless and stupid like this it doesn't mean that Free Speech is under debate.... So get off your soap-box people. Jeeze!

YES, this little blog-blerb is sick, thoughtless and mean. These kids obviously have no adult responsibilities(and probably never have) and it shows in their demeanor and their lack of social sensibility.

Apparently these 'kids', and no matter their age or social standing will always be the spoiled little children with no real knowledge of what the real world is and friends, they really don't care that there are people losing their nest eggs. But I agree with another of the commenters who stated in a similar response, that as stupid as these kids are, the economy will hit them were it hurts too and Mom & Dad will be in the same sinking boat and guess what, the government nor the tax-payers will bail their sorry behinds out of it. No one will feel sorry for their situation, and ya know, Karma is a @!$%#.

{"commentId":3591764,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"shannondevans"}

1 vote

#7 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 1:30 PM EDT

{"commentId":3594395,"authorDomain":"frj"}

LailaLola

I don't understand the anger. How does a lip synching video show that these people have no adult responsibilities or lack social sensibility? This doesn't make sense. All I hear are very angry people who are blinded by their jealousy to the point that they are disecting this video for what it's not. Haven't you ever caught yourself having a little fun? Did you feel guilty about it b/c somewhere out there there are people less fortunate than yourself? I don't think so. So stop being so hypocritical and hateful and live a little, love a little, and move on. Geez.

{"commentId":3594395,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"frj"}

4 votes

#7.1 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 3:59 PM EDT

{"commentId":3591995,"authorDomain":"docalf1"}

docalf

Much Ado About Nothing... I agree with Djfargo, a bit entertaining but actually meaningless in the great scheme of things. I think that those that are way too angry about this video are actually jealous that they were not invited, most likely because they are too old (>30 years old) LOL

{"commentId":3591995,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"docalf1"}

2 votes

#8 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 1:43 PM EDT

{"commentId":3603361,"authorDomain":"magnumserpentine"}

Magnum Serpentine

I agree too,

To those who are angered with this video please explain it to us, maybe we will be angry also after we hear your reasons. For now, it looks like some people made a home made video and did some lip syncing... Nothing more nothing less. But if you explain it to us, we, too might be angry.

{"commentId":3603361,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"magnumserpentine"}

#8.1 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 4:01 AM EDT

{"commentId":4955852,"authorDomain":"kewlcajun73"}

kewlcajun73

It's gonna be tough to explain to a couple of kids who also have not grown up yet or taken any adult responsibilities of their own . The biggest issue is that these kids were just " being " spoiled rich kids while most of the rest of " normal " Americans are watching their 401Ks losing money on a daily basis ;While these "kids" flaunt how much money they will never earn and the same kids will be running the show as the rest of us " old folks " 35+ will be retiring on nothing as America steals the rest as fast as it can....

{"commentId":4955852,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"kewlcajun73"}

#8.2 - Fri Jan 23, 2009 2:48 AM EST

{"commentId":3592109,"authorDomain":"thecuban"}

MikeShutUP

What is the issue here? Some kids made a video while stocks tumbled? Big whoopie. Let these people have their fun, and the infuriated bloggers should go find their own video to lipsync. Freedom of speech. Remember, it's a corner stone of this country. It not only allows some kids to make a video (in poor taste perhaps), but also allows a bunch of bloggers to complain. Grow up and find something actually newsworthy.

{"commentId":3592109,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"thecuban"}

4 votes

#9 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 1:48 PM EDT

{"commentId":3592136,"authorDomain":"mhough-1"}

Ann H-657024

Stupid kids. Bad timing. But the lack of contriteness, an indication that they get it, is extremely disturbing. In my 46 years, I've learned one thing: money doesn't buy happiness or counteract tragedy. They'll learn like the rest of us, the hard way.

{"commentId":3592136,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"mhough-1"}

#10 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 1:50 PM EDT

{"commentId":3592197,"authorDomain":"joejaramillo"}

Joe Jaramillo

With everything else going on in the world, this makes people mad? Who cares what these 20-somethings are doing with or without their parents money?

If I could, I'd be there right along side them enjoying the beach and bikinis.

Get your priorities straight.

The prospect of another 4 to 8 years of Bush/McSame should have us screaming out loud.

{"commentId":3592197,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"joejaramillo"}

#11 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 1:53 PM EDT

{"commentId":3592256,"authorDomain":"dcartmel"}

David-656936

Given the source of the video being College Humor, is this article part of the humor or was the author set up? So nobody remembered the buzz from two years ago or looked beyond the surface. This is like War of the World’s when everyone thought it was real. The video from two years ago had better lip syncing. Great to see the moves and energy recreated. Is this the new in crowd? Making fun of the rest of us when we only see the surface? If they did not actually write this article this has to be the April Fools joke of the year. Google, Lip Dub - Flagpole Sitta by Harvey Danger, to see the original video.

{"commentId":3592256,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"dcartmel"}

#12 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 1:56 PM EDT

{"commentId":3593033,"authorDomain":"frj"}

LailaLola

Who cares? Seriously. I just spent way too much time on this article/video trying to figure out what made people angry. It's just a bunch of 20-somethings having fun. When did that become a bad thing? They're not singing a song about money, flaunting money, rolling in money, making fun of people who don't have money, etc. It's actually an uplifting song. wtf? I'm still confused how this could make it to the homepage of msnbc.com.

These bloggers need to get a life. Whether these kids were born into money, were lucky to fall into a job that made them money, or worked hard to get their money, they're entitled to have fun. My God.

{"commentId":3593033,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"frj"}

4 votes

#13 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 2:38 PM EDT

{"commentId":3593662,"authorDomain":"hodanadt"}

Erica L-657226

I don't understand why everyone is so upset by this video.....It looks like they probably had a lot of fun and I wish I could get a bunch of my friends together to do the same thing!

{"commentId":3593662,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"hodanadt"}

#14 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 3:14 PM EDT

{"commentId":3593676,"authorDomain":"hodanadt"}

Erica L-657226

I don't understand why everyone is so upset by this video.....It looks like they probably had a lot of fun and I wish I could get a bunch of my friends together to do the same thing!

{"commentId":3593676,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"hodanadt"}

#15 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 3:15 PM EDT

{"commentId":3594455,"authorDomain":"tiggertoy"}

Tiggertoy

So, have you ever gotten canned on a job and went out with your buddies just to blow off steam? So, the difference is that they are rich, they got rich parents that gave them a free place to stay and pow wow. They are not billing their companies for an expensive hotel and get together.

If you had ever shared a funny video with a group of 20 people, damn straight it's gonna leak. What is so unbelievable about that?

Now, tell us more about AIG.

{"commentId":3594455,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"tiggertoy"}

#16 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 4:02 PM EDT

{"commentId":3594772,"authorDomain":"suckerforscams"}

johnniewalker

This causes anger? Rawanda, Iraq, Religuous Extremism, Political Corruption, are much more worthwhile targets. Give me an effing break.

{"commentId":3594772,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"suckerforscams"}

#17 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 4:24 PM EDT

{"commentId":3598799,"authorDomain":"sam-44"}

sam44

Absolutely agree! Get a life people! There are much more serious things in this world in which to focus your anger in a more productive way. It is just some kids having fun at an awesome villa. Stop judging character on a few minutes of video.

{"commentId":3598799,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"sam-44"}

#17.1 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:44 PM EDT

{"commentId":3594791,"authorDomain":"jmercier"}

Jason-369321

WHO CARES! This article is a bigger waste of bandwith...

{"commentId":3594791,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"jmercier"}

#18 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 4:25 PM EDT

{"commentId":3594823,"authorDomain":"marty-boggan"}

Martin in TX

This from a '57 era boomer: G E T A L I F E A L R E A D Y ! ! ! Get off the company internet and get back to work and restore our GNP.

{"commentId":3594823,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"marty-boggan"}

#19 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 4:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":3595579,"authorDomain":"gustantine"}

gustantine

starfox (#1), YOU ARE A DICK for wishing misfortune on someone else.

Martin seems to have the right attitude.

Quit being jealous of what other people have (that is what all of your "outrage" is actually expressing) and go try and make it your self if you want it that much. The fact is, being successful and independently wealthy by legitimate means is not a crime and there is nothing in bad taste or unethical about it.

{"commentId":3595579,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"gustantine"}

1 vote

#20 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 5:12 PM EDT

{"commentId":3595748,"authorDomain":"kgiacg"}

Kyle-657446

Wow, I didn't realize that because the economy was in bad shape that people weren't allowed to have fun anymore. I bet if some poor black people made a video of them lip synching a great 80's song and having a good time doing it, the press would label it is being able to have a good outlook on a crappy economical time. But since it's some rich white kids, they must not know anything about the world or how to act like adults. Come on people! Don't you know that when you stop having fun, you really have lost everything.

{"commentId":3595748,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"kgiacg"}

1 vote

#21 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 5:23 PM EDT

{"commentId":3605212,"authorDomain":"eskieguy"}

Eskieguy

So I read this article, searched for the video and found that I have to have a Vimeo account, and permission to watch this video.

So, apparently someone had the free time to find this video, and a bunch of folks had the free time to be enraged by it.

Where do I sign up for all this screwing around time. I don't think any of these very angry people are in a position to throw stones.

{"commentId":3605212,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"eskieguy"}

#22 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 9:40 AM EDT

{"commentId":3616228,"authorDomain":"spree-95"}

dana*7899

I agree

Whoever started the controversy had WAY too much time on their hands. I think this more about opinion then anything. Jason is right...this whole article is a waste of bandwidth. Just kids having fun. Whats the harm of that?

{"commentId":3616228,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"spree-95"}

#23 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 6:49 PM EDT

{"commentId":3618620,"authorDomain":"spree-95"}

dana*7899

What is the point anyways?...its just a video of some college kids

{"commentId":3618620,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"spree-95"}

#24 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 8:53 PM EDT

{"commentId":3618696,"authorDomain":"spree-95"}

dana*7899

I agree with Jason and Eskieguy. Someone had WAY too much time on there hands to not only find the video, but complain about it. Isn't it just their opinion wat isnt tasteful?..............anyway jason, it IS a waste of bandwidth

{"commentId":3618696,"threadId":"393782","contentId":"2019656","authorDomain":"spree-95"}

#25 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 8:57 PM EDT

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