I watched Brad Paisleys So Much Cooler Online music video, and thought the idea of the song was so true, I loved it! It starts out with this nerdy pizza delivery guy who delivers pizzas to your typical rude jock who is a real jerk to him at the door. The pizza guy ends up leaving and going home to sit in front of his computer and recreates himself as this hot country singer, who is single and ready to mingle!
Because the guy lives two separate and completely different lives, one in reality and one in cyberspace, there are two characters to this music video. Guy number one is this short, fat, bald guy, who still lives at home with his parents. He has the job of a high school kid, by being the pizza delivery guy for pizza pit pizzas. At home he plays with his star wars memorabilia and creepily stares at the neighbor girl from out his window, because he can’t find enough courage to go up and talk with her. Guy number two is this 6’5 model, who lives in Malibu and drives a Maserati. The difference between guy number one and guy number two is that number two has confidence and it’s all because of the security he has from hiding behind the computer screen. With this new and improved confidence guy number two has more friends, is always laughing or smiling, and is much more outgoing and adventurous in his life. He then uses this personality to try and make friends online. Guy number one is depressed, and mopes around wherever he goes. He would rather sit at home by himself, because he is afraid that he wouldn’t be able to find anyone else with his same unique interests.
In the Online Communication book, Wood and Smith refer to “Smart Mobs” which look at the way individuals can interact with the assistance of technology. This social network is how our nerdy guy gets up the nerve to talk to girls, who he would normally never talk to. People pay too much attention to what other people think, that’s why so many of them change their identity online. People can never be satisfied with who makes them happy if it is not socially acceptable. But it makes no sense because the person that you are online isn’t at all who you really are, therefore the person who is going to be attracted to you online isn’t someone who you would get along with in real life. You are going to have nothing, so when it comes to actually having a relationship you are going to feel a sense of rejection all over again.
My opinion is that if you can make up this fantasy world where you are comfortable in your skin then why can’t you turn yourself into that person, someone you admire and want to live your life like. Nothing is holding you back, so stop making excuses and go for what you want. Now that’s not to say that our music video guy can all of a sudden become 6’5 and own one of the most expensive cars in the world, but you can take the same attitude toward life, with confidence and enthusiasm and you will be able to meet just as many people, and have just as much fun!
I would have to agree! I feel that if the guy in this video felt good about himself and who he is, then other people would like him too. And he would not have to change his identity online. No one will like you if you don’t like yourself first.
I agree with you Stacey in that if people really wanted to be happy, they should get away from the computer for a little while and start becoming the person in their cyber world; the person they want to be. I think some escape the pressures of today’s society and any misfortunes they may have by creating a different version of themselves online. They would rather avoid the real life issues and go on the Internet instead, and just act like none of it ever happened. What they really need is some time to get away from the computer and some courage to get out and meet some people.