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I bet Garnet is fun at a party.

Its easy to be cynical and grumpy. Don't be embarrassed to be moved by being human and alive.

I agree with Garnet about the Regan video and the clichés. The video doesn’t bother me because it seems to exist for the sake of existing- verse for the sake of advertisement or government… but it's not brilliant. This format is a formula; even the utility company used it.

I agree with Garnet. He raises some valid points. None of which have been truly adressed

GARNET FAILS to see that he himself is only a cliche..and all his time he spends attacking youtube vidoes for becoming "mainstream"...has finally culminated for him with his new post on radiolab...
This video had identified with so many...long before garnet came along and left his shiet stain of a cliche that could have at least included a comment about bieber...

it touched me. it made me stop... and think, and appreciate. a simple idea, a good one. beautifully done, with skill, great care. watched several times, i'm more grounded with each.

Thank You

I have to agree with Garnet... since he's definitely not the first person to cry for an authenticity that doesn't exist, he's your cliche troll.

Also @Garnet:
As Cliched as Cliche's are they are there because they have held merit and stuck through time so although they may be overused they usually still hold true.
Also it is an unfortunate truth that the advertising industry has borrowed/stolen their techniques from artists so please dont give credit to that sector of manipulation. They have only taken tried and true methods to move us (invented by artist) to decieve us.
I did find the film to be very powerful although I would have to admit I did recoil a little at some of the obviously staged shots.

@ Garnet:

If anything you're criticizing or comparing the work to Hal Riney the famous ad man that made the campaign for Regan. That was just his style of commercial. Hal Riney is very famous for having his own style as an ad man. Regan identified with the style of Mr. Riney for the vote but that doesn't mean every thing that came after Regan was elected is reflected in the ad.

I agree in that it has a similar spirit of child-like optimism, but I think it stands apart from the work of Mr. Riney. I think the optimism of this is just in reflecting on the idea of "what is a moment'?

In truth, the advertising industry knows how succesful Mr. Riney's style was in capturing peoples attention. He attempted to convey "Americana" for whatever that means in commercial form. As a mark of his success he's been copied endlessly since by other companies.

Sure you could string together a slew of negative moments like someone getting mugged, a homeless kitty crying or the like and put a different soundtrack to it and do some different editing and you might get a message of warning over a message of hope like, "California Uber Alles" instead of "It's morning in America", but that's a different kind of meditation all together .

Theres a really good movie called "Art and Copy" that is about the advertising industry and what makes people like Hal Riney and other advertisers able to capture the worlds attention to sell something (even if it's Ronald Regan..)

Wow, Garnet. Get a grip, buddy. It's a 5 minute video. I'm very sorry that you lost sleep over this. Yeah, 'cause we know Radiolab, a completely non-profit endeavor, was tapping into the lowest common denominator to rack in the big bucks a 5 minute indie video always does.

Oh no...my life is comprised of cliches!

This led to my discovering the now defunct band Parachutes. Thanks.

More on them here: http://theswedishbed.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/parachutes-icelandic-band-free-mp3-collection/

The video was beautiful.
Poor Garnet.

I slept on it, but I can't get it out of my mind how annoying and cliche I find this video to be, as well as the absurd outpouring of praise in the comments--a desperate cry for authenticity, in an age of falseness and superficiality?

It struck me that all you have to do is put a phone company logo at the end of this video and you have the summation of every long distance advertising campaign since the 1980s.

Or even more, this video is simply like an extended version of Ronald Reagan's famous "Morning in America" campaign ad, from the 1984 presidential election. Check out it out, it follows the same basic concept/conceit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU-IBF8nwSY

From the teflon president himself. If that doesn't speak to the falseness and cliche of this video, I don't know what does.

I hate to be the only naysayer, but I found almost every "moment" in this video to be a cliche.

Also, it really seemed (based on the production values) like most if not all of the shots were staged, even though they are presented as if the videographer was just walking around catching these shots as they happen. How can these possibly be moments of life if they're staged? Staging something is almost the opposite of a moment, although it certainly fits well with cliche.

And the soaring, cinematic, music only adds to the saccharine quality for me.

I feel confirmed in my conclusions by the fact that all one hudred and twenty-four of the preceding comments are effusively positive. You can't get that many people to so thoroughly agree unless you've really tapped into the lowest common denominator.

Don't get me wrong, I really like Radiolab, by sometimes you really do have a tendency to gravitate towards the cliche and sentimental, as if it's profound.

Anyway, didn't the 1982 movie "Koyaanisqatsi" already do something like this in a much more true, beautiful, and honest way?

Brilliant!

Beautiful -- I fell upon this through my ipod. I've already watched it a dozen times and shared with all my closest friends. And makes me feel so connected to the world. Thank you!

A tear literally dropped from my eye and hit my hand the second before the shot of a tear dropping.

Absolutely amazing. Thankyou

I have tears

That was so strangely moving, but very, very moving.

Very beautiful, very rich. And it bears repeated watching-- you see things (images and connections between them) that you missed the first time.

Thank you Will Hoffman and thank you RadioLab.

that was some of the most powerful few minutes of video I've ever seen.

Its like a Pablo Neruda poem. All the little bits of life that feel so mundane when strung through the days look like small miracles when shown this way. A moment are those glimpses at perfection we all get if we're willing to see. Will Hoffman really understands simple beauty. Thank you so much for sharing.

l o v e t h i s

I needed to see this this morning. Questioning why I was here at work, at my desk, in my cube, what was my purpose-and found that after this tiny glimmer of a video my eyes were opened to the simple fact that EVERY SINGLE MOMENT leads to another moment, and another, thus creating LIFE. Life is a moment, life is many moments. In our little fishbowl world, we create our moment. We define how these moments mean to us.

This is absolutely beautiful.

I absolutely adored and fell in love with this video. It represents everything I love about being an artist. Truly inspiring, really. Please keep them coming.

that was beautiful

Wonderful piece, and what's more, from the perspective of an editor it's almost flawless. Jenny, above, said "each one of these moments was itself a whole story," which of course is what every frame in any film is, with more frames strung together to tell the bigger story.

That's what you did so well. Congrats, and thanks thanks thanks. :)

Beautiful, well done

I heart this video. We deal with moments everyday in the career we've chosen. If this doesn't summarize the big picture I can't imagine what would. I nearly loose it everytime that balloon flies. Cheers, Wil, Thank You!

Just...wow.

All those moments will be lost in time like tears in rain.

I loved this video because each one of these moments was itself a whole story, told in 2 or 3 seconds, stories we all know-Hey, that could have been me missing the bus!

I absolutely loved David Eagleman's book "Sum", and this film is such a lovely way to transform the spirit of that love-of-moments into a visual medium. Bravo! I think Sum is my favourite book of the last 5 years, and this Moments video is my favourite YouTube video ever.

wow o wow that was just terrific. wonderful. thank you.

stephen:

music!!!!!

http://www.myspace.com/parachutesmakesongs

loved the Will Hoffman film "Moments", and I especially loved the music ("Where were you?" by PARACHUTES), but I can't find it ANYWHERE!!! Does anyone know where to buy this song?

Struggling to find meaning in a life that felt so empty. Thank you for showing me how rich and full of glorious moments my life really is. Really.

Hey, Radiolab has gone viral! #7 on http://viralvideochart.unrulymedia.com/
Viral sharing of this video: Spreading across the interweb like Wildfire!
120,889 views.

This work is fantastic !!!
On my Iphone I have shared this with much of my family. Very good work!!!
NDS

This and the story "Sum" are changing the way I see the world. Life is a series of moments, some good, some amazing, some boring, some exciting, most ordinary. But now ordinary does not seem bad. Rather than "living in the moment" I find I am seeing the ordinary moments, and even the unpleasant moments, as just parts of a long wonderful story. Thank you!

This film is very reminiscent of that phenomenal last episode of 6ft under.

Thanks again, Radio Lab!

WOW!

A moment is "us" flanked between and squished next too other "things."

It is only defined because it exists to help the next moment arrive.

I especially love the waking up moment and the doo-doo on the sidewalk. Life IS beautiful, every single one of those moments in our day can twist and turn your trajectory. Thanks! This moment made my day better.

Makes one want to stop and enjoy more moments in their lives....which in itself is a moment to enjoy.

Also: was kinda like your life flashing before you at death.

Interesting and emotional short. Thanks, Will.

Love it...Love Radio Lab...Cant find any other place that makes me so intellectually excited and laugh.

How come we ALL know these moments... What a beautifully simple world, when you distill it down to this.

That was awesome!

Brilliant photography. So intimate. Great work, Julius. And great direction, Will.

Really good work.

I thought long and hard for a complement that would be as simple as this video and yet still express what great work it is. The best I can do, and I mean it sincerely:

Bravo!

Amazing.

Love that this is radio/video and vice versa.

Thanks!

In UK, on a train between Manchester and Edinburgh listening to Radio Lab downloads on Iphone.... and played this first with eyes closed not realising it was a video. It still worked! Then as a video, simply beautiful! Thank you!!! Now late at night in a bed in my mother's house before I sleep...

Stunning. I didn't expect this to be so good. It made me cry. Excellent work.

I love the photography! Julius did a really good job. Exceptionally well done piece. Yess!

…

nice. Those Icelandic bands sure know how to make emotional music.

What a wonderful way to greet the day!'How powerful. . .how prayerful.
Thank you.
Thank you, my sister, who take time to send it my way.

Wow.
Thank you.

I agree with the miles of praise before me; genuine ideas seem to become their own art projects somehow... I even agree with one reader who suggested it might have included some "violence" as well, but the dog-fudge seemed to work well towards that end. I especially appreciate the notion that each of these moments laid end to end, no matter how severe or blissful, becomes still another moment when viewed at last from the director's chair... as (if?) we gradually remove ourselves from each moment, our response flattens out somewhat until we might just simply smile at the thought of some triumph or injustice. I was initially thinking this would have been a piece I would have loved to have shown my grandmother, and then I realized she had already seen it...

I am someone who believe you just have to look around you to find your happiness--this short illustrates my feelings so well. I got goosebumps. Thank you.

'Moments" was one of the most inspiring and original works of art that it has been my pleasure to experience on the Internet. I'll never forget the step into the dog do do. I think we've all had that unfortunate "moment." The cinematography was first rate. Keep up the good work.___Jamaa Fanaka

beautifully shot.The continuation of shots was nice,how simular sequences followed another.Great closeups and soundtrack.I liked the ending.10+

fast-paced everyman, everyday. Brilliantly photographed. Excitement in everyday life is beautiful. It's honestly amazing if we take the time to stop, look and listen. Keep up the good work. I have watched it over and over and everytime enjoy it's freshness and richness even more.

What an excellent show! very classy, rich and pleasant. I agree with another comment above that I would pay to see something like this and not the almost all totally predictable junk out there.

what a great piece... it makes you feel connected and what more could you ask than that?

Don't stop now,your in

Wow-my breath caught in my throat, incredibly moving piece.

wonderful. that's all i have.

just beautiful

I was completely taken by surprise with this short film. It amazes me how you can take a series of completely unrelated events filled with complete strangers and leave me with tears in my eyes. Thank you, Will and Julius, for creating this. Thank you, Radiolab, for sharing it with the world.

That is so beautiful!!! It touches your heart!
Thank You!!!!!

I was sitting down to watch this without listening to the previous discussions of death. I was unsure as to what I was watching. And about 3/4 of the way through, I found myself crying and truly not knowing why. I now know why, and it's simply complex.

This is just utterly beautiful. The juxtaposition of clips is a masterpiece. The music is a perfect compliment. Truly one of the greatest visual art pieces I have ever seen and will receive MANY repeats.

Bravo Mr. Hoffman and thank you RadioLab!

Beautiful... laughter... tears... smile.

Beautifully done! A poet, a philosopher and a movie magician! You have it, keep going!

this is fantastic. i'm glad to see that the small moments in our lives are being given such tremendous value in this film. sometimes we forget how wonderful life can be. thanks guys for doing what you do, you are definitely fulfilling your purpose on this planet and touching many lives in the process.

many thanks for the reminder
and nice to see you running after the birds

*verklempt*

I am going to watch this every morning to remind myself that even the most mundane moments should be treasured.

IT's all been said in previous posts but I can't resist joining this standing ovation with tears in my eyes. Every film student, aspiring writer, artist, creator in any medium should see this and study it. It *does* get even better with repeated viewing. In around 4 minutes William brings us a Blakeian universe in which the human becomes sacred. Imminence. Radio Lab is why God made public radio!

Wow, this is absolutely gorgeous, brilliant and brought tears to my eyes. This is just another reason I love this show. Please keep at it, Jad and Robert. Congratulations on your own new child, Jad!

This i brilliant, William. I always new you would make something great:) Greetings from your old nanny Lise from Norway:)

This is spectacular. Transcendent. RadioLab does a great job creating an experience.

I'm having trouble finding the music. The website referenced has no mention (that I can see) of parachutes, and a Google search comes up short.

What if Radio Lab were a movie?

It gets better every time I watch it

Didn't expect this short to be a tear-jerker! Moving.

When asked “What do you do” most of us respond by describing our work. Yet (almost) no cubicles were filmed in the making of this video.

from "on the road" by kerouac: "It had something to do with the Shrouded Traveler. Carlo Marx and I once sat down together, knee to knee, in two chairs, facing, and I told him a dream I had about a strange Arabian figure that was pursuing me across the desert; that I tried to avoid; that finally overtook me just before I reached the Protective City. 'Who is this?' said Carlo. We pondered it. I proposed it was myself, wearing a shroud. That wasn't it. Something, someone, some spirit was pursuing all of us across the desert of life and was bound to catch us before we reached heaven. Naturally, now that I look back on it, this is only death: death will overtake us before heaven. That one thing that we yearn for in our living days, that makes us sigh and groan and undergo some sweet nauseas of all kinds, is the remembrance of some lost bliss that was probably experienced in the womb and can only be reproduced (though we hate to admit it) in death."

HI Will Loved it!!!! It is very life affirming and so beautifully done A wonderful contribution Aunt Barbara

What a wonderful encapsulated look at life. If there are other civilizations out in the universe, this is what I hope they see of us -- the small moments, the human moments, the smiles and tears and breathless moments.

Wonderful. Thank you Radiolab!

great stuff. i was moved that those moments.

wunderschön

So beautiful, so poignant. Probably should include some moments of violence, too, but that would be hard to watch, and we see more than enough violent moments in the movies.

Very refreshing, creative and deep reaching.
It took this moment to make me reflect on my own moments.
Thanks Willie !!!!!!!

Wow, having recently lost a special someone, just as she was entering her "stride" at 23, makes this all the more poignant. Savor each and every moment.

Phenomenal!!! This video is awesome!

Great moments of life!

Wonderful piece. Wonder-full.

fantastic...

Beautiful. Epitomizes the G.K. Chesterton quote "Don't look a gift universe in the mouth."

sleep/music: What I have found (cello/classical) is that with sleep after practicing, my mind sorts out and discards the mistakes - a blessing. Apparently, the logic of the finished piece is so compelling that it can overcome my ineptitudes.
sleep/elderly: I've lost the mechanism needed to readily fall asleep at night - very puzzling. I'm now 70, and this has been an issue for perhaps 10 years. It is said the elderly "just don't need as much sleep", but I think that this is a cop-out for a very big problem.

So beautiful. Thank you!

Wow, that was amazing. Like I didn't already feel great about being pregnant. Thanks Will Hoffman.

The magic for me was in the last shot: that some "moments" can be extended ... perhaps indefinitely.

That was wonderful! Thank you.

Unbelievable. I could watch 2 hours of this, and I'm sure he could come up with 2 hours of it.

radio lab, i'm so thankful for you. something about this video and just the fact that you exist and do what you do has really really touched me today. thank you very much, radio lab and will hoffman.

lovely - well done.

Beautiful video, it's amazing how much can be conveyed in little snippets of life we can all relate to...

Great style, Great beauty,
excellent work...We need to see more!

utterly beautiful! you've captured us all

Really impressive, thank you very much!

Very nice :)

This is fantastic work!

Beautiful. Thank you Will Hoffman.

Are you kidding me!? This is amazing!

Our regular, every day lives are so beautiful if we see them this way. Inspiring!

Absolutely brilliant is what I say. Absolutely brilliant.

I'd pay money to see that rather than some testosterone-filled action movie.

Just plain brilliant.