We should dance like Matt Harding.
Against news of wildfires, drought, rapidly vanishing species, economic collapse, world hunger and war, Harding dances.
There’s something moving about the guy’s goofy jig. And we’re not the only ones to think so.
Performed to an uplifting new-age tune at 69 locales around the planet, it has struck a chord internationally.
Harding’s simple video has been viewed 5.6 million times since its posting on June 20 (visit YouTube, type in Dancing and look for Where the Hell is Matt? Or read the story on page 40).
For four minutes and 29 seconds Harding, an American video game programmer originally from Connecticut, is shown flitting through various locales, first alone but soon with people from around the world, children and adults, all of whom are dancing and goofing along with him — well … all except the sole North Korean border guard in the demilitarized zone.
It is a little meaningless fun.
Or is it?
At the end, most people are moved. But it’s harder to pinpoint why.
Maybe it’s the whimsy.
Maybe it’s the score by Garry Schyman.
Maybe it’s Harding’s perpetual smile.
Or maybe during these ugly times we like to be reminded that people from widely divergent cultures and races can have a little simple fun together. That, in the end, we’re not that different after all.
Whatever it is, Harding’s video reminds us that sometimes the right guy comes along at the right time.
And that we should all dance a little more … like Harding. (Richard Mostyn)