Seattle, Washington Inbox Fun

Some selections from my mailbag:

My question is what's the point?

Has nothing to do with gum except raising the price because they're sending Matt all over the world for no particular reason.

What's it have to do with Gum?

Are you doing anything on these trips?   How about spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and saving some souls.

                    * * * * *

Right! Jesus. Totally slipped my mind.

                    * * * * *

-An observation-

The world is great
and we are small
The world is one
and we are many

When a man, travels from one land
to another, and dances on that land
Is it those who watch him from behind screens are the ones that dance?

Or is it those around him
enlightened by this random act
who dance with him?
one could imagine

Can one man who dances, change the world?
Unfortunately, nay
But when that man dances, and ten are inspired to dance with him

then twenty
then forty
then sixty
then eighty

and the next week,
a thousand
and a month
a million

It is only then, that one man
changes many
and the many
will change the one world

                    * * * * *

The "nay" gets me every time.

I'm not sure if this is a poem or a movie trailer.

                    * * * * *

In Poria, Papua New Guinea (2:11) The guy on the far right looks like the Burger King.

                    * * * * *

Holy cow!

                    * * * * *

Matt:

I saw your 'Dancing' video and was wondering how you were able to merge your dancing with the background and foreground as if you were there. Is it a type of software? Did you have to do a lot of editing?

                    * * * * *

Reply:

Yes, it is very hard to make it look exactly like I'm really dancing in those places. I use very special software and a whole lot of editing.

-Matt

Comments

[Martin L.]

Doesn't it make you wonder what color the sky is in their little worlds?

[Tim McMahon]

This is the first time I saw the Video and all I have to say is thank you bud.

Just shows you how the simplest things in life make one happy.

Thanks for reminding us

[Emily]

Loved the new video. Wow, that editing is something. You even edited in how sand moved under your feet. Tricksy.

[Goob]

Haha, the last one is by far the best. Sadly, I bet you get similar e-mails more often than you should.

What I don't get is how you managed to have the same song playing off-camera while you danced. Wasn't it hard coordinating an orchestra to follow you around everywhere? =)

[beverly]

I saw your video for the first time the other night and immediately forwarded the link to everyone I care about with the subject line "evidence of joy". Spread the word of Jesus? Whatevs. You're spreading joy, real, honest joy, at least to me, and that's worth more than preaching. I'm going to dance in my front yard now and see if anyone joins me. Actually, I don't care if they join me! Thanks for the gift of your video--it rocks!

[Rowina]

That's one sophisticated blue screen Stride paid for to dance in front of of. They even managed to get the King to appear. Don't they produce gum anymore? etc etc

[PLENTIOUS]

So Matt you should ask the first guy if on your next crusade you're supposed to encourage people to be like Jesus or like him.

Despite that guy, I'm still betting on Jesus to save the world. He better show up soon, though, because gum is off to a promising start.

[Mike Reddin]

Matt - truly excellent and fun and fun and excellent too. Thank you for keeping the dance, the music, the people and your lovely self to the fore (I can tolerate subliminal Stride never having heard of it previously). And resist to the last any attempt to let Jesus or any of the other head cases get in on the act. Will they never stop trying to expropriate happiness? - its ours! - none of them ever raised a smile in their lives and they sure as heck couldn't dance!

[Nando]

Matt, the video editing wizard and prophet of the Gum. :)

Amazing how comments of people thinking the video was fake keep showing up.
They must also think that all other people's videos on youtube of Matt dancing with them were also edited with the same special software.

May the GUM save us all!

[Lass]

Someone mailed me a link to the dance video yesterday and it brought tears to my eyes. I don't care why or how or any of that.

Thanks, Matt.

[vinay pidathala]

That is by far the most touching,happy,ecstatic,crazy,emotional,unselfish,caring thing i have ever seen on the internet. I have never felt so many feelings ever before in my life. Thanks for making that happen. Truly and i mean truly inspirational, not to mention that i am also truly jealous that you are getting to see the world when i am sitting in front of my computer working away to glory (or so i think)

[Flavia Melissa]

Hey Matt, I saw the video today for the first time... I'm so sad that I hadn't know you before! If I know, I would surely have danced with you here in Brasil!
You made me feel so many things at the same time I can't express!
Thank you for doing such a crazy thing like this... Guys like you can surely change the world!

[Abby]

HAR! That editing comment... And the Burger King. I found the clip. Hilarity! And Jesus Christ? Yeah, so instead of the awesome thing YOU did, how about you do what *I* wanted you to do?! Good grief. Proselytizers slay me. Nay... MANY people.

[Kevin Miller]

> Yes, it is very hard to make it look exactly like I'm really dancing in those places. I use very special software and a whole lot of editing.

Especially the part where you floated! Was that, like, wires and shit?

[Jeanine]

Maybe sometime, somewhere, someone will find a picture of Jesus in their gum, and the circle will be complete.

[Jon A - seattle]

Just saying thanks. Your video(s) have really reminded me there is a world outside my cubicle.
Also, thanks from my family (grandparents, grandkids, blacksheep, newlyweds) we have all appreciated your travels. Personally – I love all the smiling kids.

[Jon A - seattle]

ps - GASWORKS park is the best.

[Daniel]

People of the world...cast aside your judgments, throw down your weapons, turn up the music! We are just a bunch of dancing fools...and Matt is the king!

Thanks for the inspiration...that a regular guy can make a difference in a simple fun way. I love your humanity. What a great way to see the world. Go Matt!

--Victoria, BC

[LindaPie]

Wow. Just wow. So amazing, I thank you, thank you, thank you.

I spent my entire day reading your blog, looking at videos. My friend told me about it last night (he cried - and thought of me because I'm a terrible dancer) and then my boss sent the link to me this morning.

So, I'm wondering - will you and Melissa do that dance if/when you get married? Will it make the next video? WHEN IS THE NEXT VIDEO?

Also, I'm confused about the whole permit thing - you have to have a permit to dance?! When did that happen?

Anytime you are in the Phoenix, AZ area, you can dance for food and lodging. Promise.

LindaPie

[NiggerClark]

Matt you are a FAKE son of bitch. ANYONE who DOESN'T spread the word of JESUS CHRIST on all the trips he went on is a NIGGER BITCH.

[jdhoskinson]

Spoken like a true apostle...

[carla :-)]

Hi Matt, We need you to make Midland your next "dance" stop. Great video!

[Llana Grossman]

lol Ok. I said it elsewhere but I'll say it again, you get quite the assortment of fans. Old, young, rich, poor, eloquent, and mentally near-mute. You really move people. Some to tears of happiness. And others like "christians" are willing to go to "hell" to put you in your place. Its really a phenomena.

That's all fine and good. Personally, you had me at, "I thought of the game Destroy All Humans."

Had seen your "dancing" but had no clue that you were the visionary messiah that gave us that wonderful game title. To think most of my friends and I have all worked in gaming for years and had no clue. (I'm out now. Got an awesome gig having kids. hehe)

Anyway, cool. XD All this time I thought you were in the army or some kind of spoiled rich kid. Three cheers for gum and Australians. Wait, isn't Australia home of the Gum Tree? So maybe just three cheers for Australia.

Keep up whatever the hell it is you do! People love it. Did you ever think this would be your legacy? :) Still it has a very noble and uniting feel to it. Ultimately, maybe even better than Destroy All Humans... maybe.

[Timothy Mcalister]

Ahhh....scarcasim....recently came upon this site so I've been going back through your journal.....seems to pop up allot haha. While most see it as annoying I find it to be.....awesomeness. haha

[Robert in Fort Worth]

Matt,

Awesome man. Very inspiring.

What would the world be like if we all went out a danced, rain or shine, land or water, snow or sand? Judging from the smiles in your vids, I think it would be awesome.

Peace.

[Magical Mary]

How about spreading the word about foot fungus and saving some feet?

It's all how you look at it.

[PG]

Matt - enjoyed your video, got a little weepy thinking how folks will be running up to Jesus when He returns. Joy!! Good job Matt and I think you're a good dancer. :)

[Lynda Robertson Nova Scotia]

I love your video's the most recent was forwarded to me on facebook by a person that only ever sends inspirational, moving and/or meaningful videos etc. so of course I watched it. You made me laugh and smile and smile some more. I watched it twice and then read the credits and found out about your site. Keep dancing Matt! You've made the world smile and that's something that very few people can attest to or have ever attempted!!

[Kim]

Oh Wow, Oh Wow, Oh Wow. That was so awesome, words cannot describe. I am so jealous that you got to do that, and so happy for you that you did. WOW. :-)

[erin :: the olive notes]

HAHAHA!! This is great.

[Edustus]

And why not spread the gospel of Flying Spaghetti Monster? :D

Hahaha, hours and hours of hard work with software xDDD

[dagdaj]

I happened to like that gum.
The yellow stuff.

Also wondering what you prefer stick or spray deoderant.

[woo-hah!]

the sea-side splash in youtube frame 2:23 (Tongatapu, Tonga) is one of my favorite scenes; it really heightened both the soundtrack and the video. other than that, the whole video's breath-taking!

[Luvit]

To the commenter that says the video has nothing to do with gum: Of course it does!! Interpret the dance. The form. The intensity of the look on his face. Obviously it's the "I'm getting gum off my shoe" dance. He's traveling the world and everywhere he steps in gum he does this little dance. Duh! It's modern marketing genius at work! ...In fact, I definitely need a piece of gum right now.

[Ella]

I just found your website and I really would like to thank you for making me smile after the worst day I have had in a long time.

Thank you again.

[HG]

Matt,
All I can say is awesome! Love the vid...I'll keep an eye on the site to see when your in Oz next and i'll come dance silly with you lol

[BenG]

You rule Matt, keep it up!

[Raven]

I just discovered your video for the first time the day before yesterday. It has repeatedly brought me to laughter and tears. You've made my day -- 3 days in a row.

I'm sure that the making of this film was not always joyful, but the final product? It never fails to bring that wonderful, delightful essence of pure joy at just being alive, goofy, and together as one, like little children.

Love it. Love it. Love it. THANK YOU.

p.s. I'm sure you made Jesus proud. And no doubt in my mind that this little gem you've created could very well save someone who's been on the brink of giving up on life or people. It's the "little" things that make a difference.

[ElizaD]

Have you ever had that feeling where it feels like your heart is going to burst? Yeah, thats what i feel when i think of your dancing all around the world.

Everyone all around the world may seem like a stranger, but everyone laughs, everyone cries, and
Everyone Dances.

[Neb]

Great job! Found your video through Bill Corbett at Rifftrax. What a happy way to start my day!

BTW, re. the "Jesus" comment: You know, Jesus encouraged His followers (of which I am one) to spread the Gospel, not browbeat others into spreading it. At any rate, if you're a Christian, how you live your life is between you and God. If you're not a Christian, look into it (and you should!) because you want to and need to, not because somebody threatened you with it....gah.

[Luvit]

To Eliza, Thank you for that response about Jesus comments. As I've been reading all these responses to Matt's video I keep getting put off by the proselytizers. I really respect everyone's right to take from it what they want. I don't respect when people seem to think everyone else needs to take their view of it.

My wife is a Chinese Buddhist and I am an atheist. Yet we both take something very similar away from the video. I mean, look at it, the whole thing shows us the incredible beauty of all our DIFFERENCES. The video is most decidedly not representing that world is full of non-believer that need to be converted.

Like Matt says in his FAQ: "Americans need to travel abroad more."

[Di]

Hey thank you. Oddly enough, your world dance gave me hope. I have advised my readers that everyone should watch your latest world tour before they go out and do their day. Perhaps everyone would be that much nicer.

Meanwhile, the thank you came from dopey ear to ear smile I wore while watching your dancing videos.

[Ricky Maveety]

Over the past two days, I think I have spent close to 16 hours reading your journal, watching the videos, the out takes, the interview material (with the gentleman from the Solomon Islands), and today, a highly entertaining 75 minutes of oral presentation and slide show.

I've learned the English translation of one of my favorite songs ("Sweet Lullaby") ... which now will make me cry, of that I am dead certain. I have also purchased a new favorite song ("Praan"), which (because I am a Buddhist) really speaks to me.

My three favorite parts of the 2008 video, are New Guinea, India, and where you got blown off your feet by the wave in Tonga. The smile on my face lasts for several hours ... and then I need another fix, so I watch the whole video over again.

I love the fact that people came out and danced with you in the pouring rain, and that the children of Rwanda will apparently dance at the drop of a hat. Maybe there is hope for the world after all.

I may just drop by the local Speedy Mart and pick up some Stride Gum. I like a company that can sponser something without making it all a humongous advertisement.

I realize you probably won't keep making videos like this much longer ... but I hope that whatever you do next, and where ever you choose to do it, you have a great time ... and great success.

[Mary K Davis]

Hi, Matt,
My son sent me your video. I watched it about fifty times so far. It made me smile and laugh and cry a little.
I teach school (three to eight year olds). I can't wait to let them "dance like Matt"!

[Randy]

I can only hope the pure happiness and joy that Matt has created lasts as long as possible before the silly superstitious humans ruin it by attaching ancient century fairytales (religion) to 21st century technology that has enabled us to see how joyfull our simplest acts can be when shared.
Thanks for the fun Matt. Hope it continues!

[Sushan]

From Brother of Palbasha Siddique

Matt,
I wanted to quickly congratulate you, your team and Garry for being able to spread so much joy and hope in under 5 minutes. We are grateful to have our language highlighted as well; only seven other languages are spoken by more people.
I could not make it to CA with mom and Palbasha but hope to meet with you some other time. Take care and you better dance in Bangladesh someday. I recommend the Cox's Bazar Sea Beach - it's the longest unbroken sand sea beach in the world. Or dance in a slum where poor childrens' eyes will brighten in wild glee :)
Sushan, Minneapolis

[alternative]

I like the last one, the "conspiracy theory" involved the fact that matt hasn't actually been in all this places.
If you think about it, matt is not real , He must somehow be the result of some geek imagination :') .
I won't believe otherwise until I see him face to face hehe !

[Rebecca]

Someone just shared the link of you dancing...it made me cry with joy!!! =)

I'm about to move to Thailand for a year (I've never even been to Asia - but that seemed like a good place to start). I'll remember to do plenty of silly dancing while I"m there. =)

[Robin in So. Cal.]

I just finished watching your video, Matt. I didn't know if I should cry or laugh......I did both. Thank you from my heart.

****
If you smile at me
I will understand
'Cause that is something
Everybody everywhere does in the same language.
Crosby, Stills & Nash Wooden Ships

[OddNina]

Woot for Matt ;)
I love the Idea!!!
I lived in Washington for a while.. now that I sw you dancing at that place id love to go back and dance too ;D ;D

greetings from Hamburg Germany

Nina