I tried to resist as much as I could, but now I have to write something about it. Yes, I am giving in to Gangnam Style. As I think that what I am going to say will probably be interpreted in the wrong way, I  immediately state that I have nothing against the song, the dance or the singer. I believe he is funny, the music is catchy, the dance silly/hilarious. What I cannot understand, though, is how it can have become such a huge success in our present world situation. I was told that, not before too long, this video will probably reach one billion viewers. The young Korean singer has been invited to lecture at the University of Oxford, Madonna has included him and his song/dance into her concert. There are surely many other high-profile events he has been and will keep on attending. Numberless imitations and adaptations of the piece have been made in numberless countries and environments.

My question is simple: Why? I have always wondered what is hidden behind certain choices that people make. I would like to know if "something" (a song, a dance, a movie, a singer a fashion...) becomes an overnight success because it is really worth it, because it actually possesses all the characteristics that make it exceptional, a sort of "masterpiece", or it is a simple matter of conditioning. Someone mentions it to someone else saying: "It's cool". The word spreads and more and more people accept that "it is cool" without even wondering if it truly “is” cool! I wish I knew how sincere, deep and personal is the enthusiasm of those who hail a new idol. Does each honestly believe that such performer, or actor, movie, dance or fashion is worth of all the praise that he/she/it is granted?

I wonder if it is possible that the so-called "trends"  are created by the acceptance (often unaware) of their followers. Is this hairstyle praised on “Vogue” magazine? Many women get the same haircut. Does a famous actress advertises a new perfume? A new successful product is born. Red is proclaimed the “in” color for the winter? All become “women in red”. Shorter tops? All bellies are out! In spite of your body shape, you just “have to” follow the new trend. No matter the color of your hair, you have to have the new shade. Is that new song kind of silly, but everybody seems to like it? You find yourself “loving” it.

Does this create a problem? Certainly not. At least, not a serious one. It is just a question of how your mind works. People like being told what to see, how to see, what to believe, to what extent to believe. It is not their fault. After all, it is not even a fault. It is a “fact”. Many feel the need to go with the flow, to blend in, to be like the others. In this way they feel they “belong”. They are not alone. Here is a well-known story. Once upon a time a wise man happily lived in a cave. One day the water of the river that flew near the village became poisonous, and all the villagers who drank from it became mad. The hermit, having known about this predicament beforehand, had filled many barrels with good water in order to keep safe. And so he did. Every time he saw one of the villagers behaving like a madman, he rejoiced for having remained "wise". Nevertheless, after some time he started feeling lonely, desiring some human company. In the long run, he threw the barrels away, drank the water from the river and... became mad like all his fellow villagers. He could not stand it anymore being wise but… alone. The moral of all this? None. If you like Gangnam Style keep on singing it and dancing the unbelievably successful “horse jumping”, and be merry! A good time is worth even …. Well, anything, I suppose!

P.S. After doing a little checking, I can’t help making a final consideration. While I am writing this (Wednesday, 9:40 a.m.) Gangnam Style official video shows 777,463,950 views. A “spiritual” clip that could positively change people’s thinking (and, consequently, bring some peace to the world) has 780 views. I believe this says it all! P.P.S. Just before e-mailing this article I was curious enough to make an additional checking. Right now Gangnam Style views have reached 782, 710, 275. In less than 21 hours more than five million people have watched it. The “spiritual” video, as expected, does not show any new viewer.

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