Bo Burnham Examines Social Media

[@itsnerdo]

“Planning your future to look back at it” is an incredibly astute and terrifying narrative of current social media culture

[@pettingbears]

When I witness something beautiful in my life I have to make a choice of whether I want to see it with my own eyes and remember it in my head or watch it through my phone camera so I can look at it later. I think so much of today's culture is based on looking back.

[@TheBrandiElizabeth]

@@pettingbears this

[@loukiadams5340]

When he said that my jaw dropped. whoever coined the phrase "to make memories" is an internet lizard.

[@melomana91]

"planning your future to look back on it"......woah

[@ellielindsey7454]

That line shook me up for sure....

[@lenalovesrats]

that hit me hard

[@alibushell6762]

I literally had to stop the video as I processed that - massive amount of self-recognition there :/

[@IcarusBlack17]

Hit me like a ton of bricks, glad I wasn't the only one

[@LipSyncLover]

"If you can live your life, without an audience, you should do it" ----Bo Burnham, Make Happy

[@zohakhan8749]

words I live by!

[@daraobrien1373]

And now you’re thinking: how the fuck is he gonna dig the show outta this weird hole?

[@damhadougonzo999]

And you wrote that in a comment?

[@incommandwhereyoubelong3828]

"Being nostalgic for moments that haven't happened yet" That hit hard

[@MrBrandybuck1120]

You can see the beginnings of "Inside" already forming just in his responses. Fascinating

[@loukiadams5340]

Yes! The internet travels as fast as Bo's transformation. The irony is not lost in it. That's why I love that Bo is so open about how the internet makes him nervous.

[@littledarkcollege]

I like listening to people at the edge of making sense. To me, they're the people that are closest to it

[@Buttsmoker]

Stop making sense

[@achair650]

@@Buttsmoker *claps in talking heads stan*

[@Buttsmoker]

@@achair650 Hell yeah

[@aimie3172]

Bo please do a ted talk on this topic. It’s so important. I wonder as a 26 year old, raised with the internet and social media, how I will raise my own child.

[@tatehildyard5332]

aimie Des My best guess would be learn from the mistakes we’ve made and the ones we’re making now. Learn from them and teach the next generation how to not make them again.

[@valhalla1240]

Sorry but, you can go and listen to any podcast appearance he's ever made and you'll have a ton of info that you'd never get out of a Ted Talk. Ted Talks are exactly what Bo isn't about: it's finger-wagging adults telling the younger generation how to act, while being completely out of touch with them or the zeitgeist. He's actually giving you something more valuable than that: he's letting you - the adult - in on what young people are going through - what we all are going through, so that we can be better for them, instead of forcing them to be better than us.

[@ottohedlund9955]

Whatever he say about kids and birth etc, you will find your own way. All kids are different and you cant change the movement more than be there for it.

[@SubscribersWithoutAnySubscribe]

@@valhalla1240 Lol, what are you talking about? Half the TED talks are done by 20-somethings. They're informative suggestions and ideas, not prescriptions.

[@pushthetempo2]

My future kids aren't having a phone until they are old enough and I'm putting a limit in their internet use with a parental blocker, that's for sure. I wonder if our generation will be smarter for the next with regulating the internet as we know the dangers

[@TheBluebayoo]

3:07 Interviewer visibly losing his mind at how much sense Bo actually makes

[@keenfrizzle]

Burnham was like 27(?) at the time, so I'm sure guy was like "holy shit, I'm just gonna let him keep talking"

[@zoebredeweg7831]

As someone who struggles with dissociation as a symptom of anxiety and trauma, he really hit the nail on the head. Although living your life for an audience isn't in itself dissociation, it does create that framework of being dissociated from yourself as you view your image and produce your life. I struggle with that a lot when I use social media. How much of this is me happily sharing or celebrating and how much of this is stemming from a need for validation and to be seen a certain way for my own insecurities?

[@sofiaamm]

i could listen to bo ramble for hours and just stare in awe

[@flamshiz]

2:38 is such a brilliant characterization of the feeling of the online experience. bo is such a deeply introspective and considerate man

[@mickeydahab3144]

"planning your future to look back on it" yes yes it's sooo weird, like now people go to events with like nice decoration, so they can take good pictures they can post, so they can look back at the event, but they only went for the good decorations or the pictures!! it's soo weird and I do not understand the need to take pictures of everything and everywhere. i was already pretty introverted but now even when i go out i can't enjoy anything with my friends cuz we have to have that segment of the day where we take pictures and do the same 4/5 "funny" poses that i'm sick of, can't they just remember it, just remember the day why do we need all these pictures, why do we need to live in retrospect now ! and you can't even say no or say that you don't want it cuz then you're a buzz kill or just bad company, i can't even start to talk about the mental issues i have from these situation from being too self-conscious to being an extra introvert that literally doesn't leave her bed. i'm sorry for the rant, but the reason I've followed bo for so long, next to him being so talented in everything he does,is how successfully he conveys the absurdity life has become after social media

[@MarkFilipAnthony]

Now here is the problem right there: As a parent, you have to understand that You CANT "protect" your kids from whatever the world has to offer. What you have to do is prepare your kid(s) to what world they are going to face, to teach them how to protect themselves. You as a parent need to show your kids how to be critical, skeptic and rational with the information and situations that the world has to offer. You have to teach them that they always have a choice to say stop and no to things that is difficult to handle, that concent both for themselves and others is important, and that you are always allowed to express emotions and opinions when something is or doesn't feel right. Teach them communication, online and offline: "no", "stop", "Is this ok?", "are you ok", "I don't want this", "why not?", "how?" and "I am (sad/angry/annoyed/happy/frustrated etc)" And most of all: 1. be skeptical to everyone and anything, always double check if it's safe before you make a choice. 2. when you are at your weakest and ugliest, Those who love you will always stay by your side

[@SoCloseToToast]

Been following Bo since the very beginning! It's so inspiring and encouraging to see a "KZbinr" become something and someone much more!

[@thelastmanonearth2631]

Wow, you almost forget how long he's been around. Feels like FOREVER ago, but...it really wasn't, was it? I literally remember first hearing about KZbin from the receptionist at work. And yet, I barely remember a world before it.

[@geko9214]

@@thelastmanonearth2631 have you seen his new special?

[@thelastmanonearth2631]

@@geko9214 - Oh yeah, great shit. I'm disappointed that a lot of people seem to have misunderstood it, but whatever. It seems it's universally loved, and I suppose that's all that matters.

[@MrKinghuman]

@@thelastmanonearth2631 how is it universally loved but alot of people misunderstood????

[@thelastmanonearth2631]

@@MrKinghuman - I feel like you know that was a dumb question, so I'm confused why you asked it anyway. It is entirely possible for someone (or many someone's) to love something they don't understand.

[@thejesuschrist]

If Eighth Grade doesn't nab an Oscar, everyone in the Academy is going to Hell!

[@FreakieFan]

You tell em Jesus!

[@SoniaOReilly]

wow that's the real Jesus Christ! they should really think this through!

[@senorhedvoycez6017]

i guess its going to hell

[@fangirlfortheages5940]

Hi again Jesus!

[@Flat_cones]

Hello j dawg. Frequent jack viewer

[@wickedly4]

Bo is so brilliant. He's just absolutely brilliant, and he's always been brilliant.

[@RyTheFly]

Such a brilliant way of putting it into words. ;)

[@isa0ber]

this conversation is so important and im glad bo takes it on without being condescending or patronising, just genuine curiosity and worry

[@ellielindsey7454]

I am the same age as Bo, and I am constantly astonished at his ability to articulate the same thoughts I've had, just 100 times more eloquently haha

[@JAMellott23]

This is the only intelligent discourse I've heard about social media, still in 2021.

[@jeppefrolund1718]

You know I've watched the Off Cam Show youtube segments for ages, and found it a nice interview style, sure. It's 1on1, there is time to discuss stuff. You hear some answers that elaborate on stuff you've heard bits and pieces of from movie and tv stars. Nice. But this particular segment (the Bo Burnham ones specifically I mean) are something entirely else. Now, granted, I'm already a really big fan of Burnham. His comedy is amazing, no doubt, but as thousands of others I'm also greatly affected, in my own way, by the underlying.... anger/guilt/shame/existentialism/confusion/anxiety and I've been greatly interested in hearing Bo discuss these things, because in admitting to himself, that he doesn't have answers or really know anything, he comes to lay it before himself in an honest and humble way, and then interpret it over time. The setting of this particular show allows for him to finally elaborate a little more on his thoughts about the Internet and social media and his own role in it, without also having to generate laughs. Even the most legit talk show he has been on to promote (movies or himself) still sort of hinges on the ability to generate laughs. He's a comedian. They are comedy shows. it only makes sense. But all the while it always feels like Bo could be like he is in this show, and treat us all to a rambling that makes total sense, and not have to crack jokes or really be a performer as much as just a reflective human being trying to understand what the fuck is going on in this world. I appreciate this a lot.

[@MariposaRedimida]

"I am really at the edge of making sense" lol loved the honesty, gotta use that

[@arande3]

Social media definitely does dissociate you from your own identity. The complexity of it is mind-boggling.

[@NewlandJ987]

Bo's so articulate and insightful; when I first started watching him, he was making nerdy math jokes.

[@raec3636]

People have always planned their life with the intention of how they want to look back on it. That's not new. People have always projected their nostalgia. Many people around the world have the classic dream of married and kids, and they project futuristic nostalgia. But looking at your life through the lens of social media and how you want your life to "look," is new and not necessarily good. We should be basing our goals off how we want our loves to feel. Which Bo did actually mention at the beginning: its important to look at how things feel

[@jonathanbarndt4774]

Yep. How our lives feel is far more important than how our lives are perceived from the outside.

[@johnk230]

I dont thing this is true at all. I think it becomes true mid 20th century

[@raec3636]

Yeah I guess it could be mid-20th. I was born after so I don't really have anything to refer to. I just remember my best friend in 2001 planning her life based on how she wants to look back, and social media was a baby back then. I think there was msn and bebo, if that.

[@RileyTheGamer]

Bo should totally be a motivational/philosophical speaker. Man.

[@justinsullivan5839]

No wonder Bo is such a creative genius. His head is enormous.

[@suyashawasthi1]

2:43. OMG? I just had a revelation. Bo just described my whole life for me.

[@cori7860]

"feeling nostalgic for things that haven't happened yet, planning your future to look back on it" ...as someone who just turned 18 a few days ago (in 2021), yeah, this perfectly describes a mindset that has plagued my generation, myself included. There are still pockets of light, there's still good friends and genuine good times and normal adolescent things, but the way these ways of thinking affect our self esteem and feelings about life can definitly seep into our decision making, some people worse than others.

[@BrilliantBenGaming]

I can relate with Bo on so many points. It's great to be self aware but it doesn't make it any easier to find answers.

[@freakenjew]

you'l find them when you need too

[@bucketspree4952]

I'm so glad Bo Burnham is on this show. As someone who has had disassociative episodes when I was younger (probably a symptom of anxiety & depression), I had experience in this before the social media craze really took off, so I've had longer to think about it than most people. The answer to the question of what to do, is to create something of value and improve the community around you. You start with yourself and your own issues, but you give back and put positive energy out there. People take notice and become encouraged by it. You need to be the change you want to see in the world.

[@KaneK1234]

Peyton Swartzell You’re not different these days for being mentally ill. Because most people are. And you know what? For most people there is no hope. At all.

[@thedevin9818]

This is the first time I’ve heard him speak in his non-comedian higher pitched and shaken voice... GOD DAYUM HE GOT SOME BASS

[@parkviewmo]

I think this interviewer's initial question illustrates the old ways of perception and problem-solving to which Bo Burnham offers an alternative. I use these ways too, but by seeing the interviewers shock, it helps me let them go them. Imagine suggesting that male adults don't know better than children? The the "father knows best" perspective doesn't work anymore, if it ever did! Bo does not focus on effects of social media on our culture as much as asking about the effects (positive, negative, and just there!) of social media on our hearts and minds. As adults, he proposes, we have already failed. We can look for some understanding in the experience of kids. Burnham says he doesn't have the answers, but like any real artist, gives us portraits that can aim our observation toward lived experience rather than the worn out ways of thinking.We all have some work to do, and it does not involved criticizing kids!

[@Rancorboi]

"Not just walking through your life -which is hell and impossible-" Hits different after watching Inside

[@ForhadRahman]

Been watching Bo for almost a decade. So glad to see him here!!

[@average-jack]

He is such an intelligent man. I could listen to him for hours.

[@Chris-pt6hh]

Can't wait to listen to this interview. Bo is straight up genius on the topic.

[@BushnoSkillzz]

Sums it up perfectly in make happy. People would rather be a satisfied audience member watching the movie of their life then be satisfied actually living it.

[@valeriasidorova7199]

Wow, this channel is a gem you guys! And Bo Burnham interview in particular! It's just so profound and refreshing and thought-provoking, just what I needed on youtube. I think we all need more of this

[@Channel-dg5tn]

"Feeling nostalgic for moments that haven't happened yet." DUDE.

[@SparTerra]

That’s what you’re call happy time travel lol just we love get back in time he likes touching the future 😂

[@FindTheFun]

"I can use social media without it directly affecting my self esteem." *Hosts incredibly popular celebrity interviews*

[@marcodallolio9746]

He was basically accusing kids of having weak emotional regulation and being overly affected by other kids' opinion. In other words, he was accusing kids of being kids, which is what the majority of adults do when they complain about kids

[@TheBrandiElizabeth]

@@marcodallolio9746 As if there aren’t a shit ton of adults who twist themselves into knots over what they think other people will think of them…. Like dude pay attention

[@shaynwalker4787]

This is my most anticipated episode yet

[@logannlovesrestoration]

it’s been *so. long.* since i’ve seen bo burnham- the movie was amazing. can’t wait to see where he’s going

[@zkme2734]

Im from the future he healed the world with his comedy

[@brucerm01]

I don't know that i'm ok with Bo Burnham referring to himself as an adult unironically

[@johnbrooke6867]

And yet he sounds like more of an adult than my 84 year old father. I think we have a weird idea of what adults are for some reason.

[@marcodallolio9746]

What you find out when you become an adult is that adults don't exist

[@MasterTodd24]

Media boils down everything into words, but we're so much more than that. We are thoughts AND feelings AND actions, what Bo and many artists are getting at.

[@perobingilljam]

Bo Burnham! What a pleasant surprise!

[@linaelbakkali6543]

His mind and eloquence amaze me

[@akshitamittal7305]

The things Bo says make so much sense. I mean, we take photos to keep those 'memories' or whatever, but memories of what exactly? Because all we did was take photos. The photos depict no particular memories except taking photos. I'm so sick of this trend. It's no fun to do anything anymore because half the time we're busy in keeping record of whatever we're doing so that we can revisit that time in the future. It's tiring and senseless and I hate it. Bo articulated it so accurately.

[@RyanAustinDean]

1:48 Watch Bo’s eyes. He doesn’t believe him.

[@Polareyesx]

Yeah I don't think the interviewer is at Bo's power level 😂

[@darkadia1984]

Now we live in the past, present and future, all at the same time, with filters and gifs, eternal in digital waste.

[@PrettyPrettyPeace]

Love Bo!!! I think children learn best by example, and what they see you doing, and where they see your energy is being focused, to positive things or negative things/beliefs, that is going to send a more powerful message to their subconscious than you simply telling them what to do, or what they are or aren't allowed to do on the internet. For example, if you are worried about your kids wasting time arguing with bullies on social media sites, then you getting into long, dumb arguments in real life with insensitive family members in front of your kids will tell them there is absolutely nothing wrong with wasting your time and energy arguing with negative people, even if you explicitly tell your kids they shouldn't do that.

[@TangibleGoods]

If this received a huge number of downvotes, I guarantee he would take it more personal and not be able to filter through the effects of dislikes.

[@AliVanSickle]

“Can i interest you in everything, all of the time?”

[@MrDrPrfsrSir]

This is insanely true, one of my best friends from college went to be a doctor. He was a kid who partied and slacked off. I asked him why he wanted to be a doctor and he said "when I look back I don't want to regret not giving it a shot." I always thought that was kind of a weird answer. You should be going to school for something in the present/near future, not so you can live out some strange philosophical hope.

[@003SOK]

host looks like a mix of ricky gervais and mac from it's always sunny.

[@raxacoon]

haha the interviewer looks just 100% baffled all the way through, it's hilarious. like, wait, I thought I could just complain about the Internet a little bit for 10 minutes like I do with the rest of my middle aged friends but instead there's philosophy happening, and like real shit and empathy and what is this?! help!

[@raxacoon]

@@chelseavue7256 I'm sure he is, I really just thought it looked funny. gosh I hope I haven't become one of those people!

[@raxacoon]

@@chelseavue7256 phew :D

[@jeremysmetana8583]

What? How on earth did you get that impression? Confirmation bias, I guess.

[@ashablue78]

Well, Bo and our generation have grown up with the internet and have a much more personal connection wit it than perhaps someone in their 40’s who really only interacted with social media/internet later in life when much of personal growth and development of the brain is usually complete. So there is definitely a generation gap in understanding

[@keenfrizzle]

Again, as he said: it's one thing to state clinically that social media is causing greater rates of anxiety in the world. It's another to say "being nostalgic for things that haven't happened yet". I know that feeling. And that's terrifying!

[@solarcowgirl]

It’s like a welcome to the internet prequel-

[@jrpipik]

Yes, adults have more resources to draw on than middle school children. Developmental physiology and psychology pretty much make that clear.

[@writerchick94]

yeah but once you're socialized with social media (or anything) enough, those psychological resources mean less and less. hence things like Stockholm syndrome. and bo's point is more about adults and children having a similar capacity to process social media because it is so new and there are no real set parameters for how to deal with it and process it.

[@jrpipik]

​@@writerchick94 Perhaps you're right: addiction to social media may be just another way growth can be stunted.

[@dallas1891]

I love the skepticism with Bo when the host keeps trying to differentiate between himself and young people. Nah, bro, you’re hooked just like they are

[@Dooality]

Wow. What an insightful guy. Not surprised after watching his film. It was brilliant!

[@dionarlyn]

The "Hmm" response to the separation of likes and self esteem was palpable.

[@Treebeerdz]

I wish more people could admit that no person is really able to deal with everything social media throws at us instead of pretending like we're all good. Also right after he says the true terror is not seeing it and a minute later the other guy says he's got the tools to navigate just fine lol.

[@KevinMakins]

Who's here after INSIDE?

[@dalecurran5236]

Fake it till you make it. Be happy and smile to others, it pisses them off. Your body language, a job, facial expressions, a certain attitude. It takes time but it works. Can't please everyone. If you change who you are, you will lose some friends? You are the only one that can change you, so why are so many others trying to change you? You woke up this morning, had food, have a place to stay, so you worry about things that are much less important. Be happy, your still kickin!!

[@calvin6314]

2:32 ☝🤓 "the rates of cyberbullying are up"

[@thethrowawaythatstayed7055]

“Elect a psycho” hahaha

[@plantman5126]

Being an advertisement for yourself is a sad time

[@notsohandyandy]

Eighth Grade should definitely get a Screenplay or Director Oscar nomination.

[@rawkrXbabee]

I swear he's a modern Aristotle or Socrates

[@Plikx]

Sam Jones looks genuinely terrified.

[@Alabamaliberal]

I really wish "Eighth Grade" hadn't been practically ignored by the Oscars although I expected it to--that movie and "First Reformed" were easily the best of 2018. The environment that people are being raised in now has been almost completely ignored by Hollywood in favor of either period pics (for Oscars) or sci-fi/fantasy/superhero movies (for money). I barely even see movies ATTEMPT to depict life as most people live it now.

[@Kate98755]

watching this in 2023…Bo went onto produce Welcome to the Internet…a dark parody on the dangers on the internet. Age has brought a new perspective on the internet….age brings wisdom to people with awareness.

[@Flat_cones]

I love bo burnham

[@yateswebb]

jeez. Bo lays it DOWN here. Even truer in Corona Age

[@melvinhenderson3465]

I still can't believe this guy isn't gay. as an unproductive 33 year old I can only give him credit, long live this Bo dude.

[@superbabybao]

Excellent discussion.

[@zanierrules]

You can tell he doesn't really believe Sam Johnson is disconnected from self esteem engines such as "likes", "favorites", "shares", etc. I believe it though.

[@aggrogator4045]

Lmao @ the interviewer getting called out 😂 his response of "Nuh uh not me" about social media was 150% bullshit. If you're on it, you can't be above it, simple as

[@jamesalanstephensmith7930]

Good conversation!

[@AurorJeffrey]

What Bo is getting at is that adults are just delusional about how in control they are about their lives. This man saying he can handle the like ratio or view count is lying.

[@NaviListen]

Maybe not lying to others, but absolutely self delusional. It's a common trap we all fall into eventually: Are you more capable of making decisions for yourself and others than anybody else? The more confident you are in answering yes to that question the further you are into the delusion.

[@vbaku9766]

Yikes. I see a couple of people that never put effort into anything.

[@NaviListen]

Found another delusional one. :)

[@LipSyncLover]

lying to himself. there's dopamine happening in his brain whether he lets it effect him a lot or a little...its there.

[@vbaku9766]

@@NaviListen Or I just believe in the majority of people with success stories over people with no life experience.

[@poetwitty7068]

And since they’re new we don’t have solutions at the moment because we don’t know how to tackle these young types of problems

[@jeremysmetana8583]

I don't think Bo describes anything new there at the end. Those feelings of dissociation and planning for nostalgia and to be able to look back on your life, etc., just sound to me like what everybody goes through in High School, and always have. I think only the tools are new. The human aspect of it has always been around.

[@cameron-cameroff]

say some of this louder for the people in the back (or more like the people in the front who think it doesn't apply)

[@openingband]

His channel would be way bigger if he focused on full videos and not these little clips. He should post old videos after a certain amount of months. Sorry but I am not paying some fee to watch interviews on his website.

[@tessa5346]

it's all on netflix if you want the full video

[@openingband]

@@tessa5346 You are my new best friend.

[@anejaG55]

I couldn’t find this episode on Netflix.

[@anejaG55]

Tessa Calogaras thank you

[@tessa5346]

I don't think he uploads it straight away unfortunately but there's a lot of ones on there!

[@IsaiahMarcellino]

Such a brilliant man

[@zachharris3040]

If Bo is born in 89/90 he most certainly has the experience of what life before the internet is like, or at least what it is today. He should be able to to understand and disassociate then. I think he argues for younger generations as a defense mechanism because there really is no way to stop the momentum of technology, and if he can't beat them then join them. Or at least defend the thing they're obsessed with.

[@RILCOMusic]

Love Bo and the work hes been developing these last few years. Anxiety society for the win~!

[@norsemoen]

"Welcome to the internet! Have a look around..."

[@whaddup5417]

Don’t comment. Just put it down delete Tik Tok. Delete Insta. Call your friend. Talk to them.

[@spirosmousouris3908]

Bo is a genious. I am impressed

[@artytheonemanparty123]

Apparently you're not

[@spirosmousouris3908]

@@artytheonemanparty123 no, i am

[@HungNguyen-vh8ct]

@@spirosmousouris3908 maybe next time spell genius right then?

[@spirosmousouris3908]

@@HungNguyen-vh8ct ok. Will do

[@mr.channel6467]

Man this is real stuff, openly great

[@TerrorbyteTC]

Watching this after Inside. This is something Bo is still talking about, still worried about, years later. We need to listen.

[@codythep]

“Welcome to the internet, take a look around.”

[@SparTerra]

Nah he’ll nah

[@dudedysseus]

Nostalgic for things that haven't happened yet?

[@SparTerra]

That’s what we call timetravel in the things that happened reviewing he just like touching the future ig 😂

[@DoffnutProductions]

but they're on camera.

[@alicewong5619]

He should be next philosopher

[@0Cindrum0]

Upload this to netflix please.

[@SnakeBitten]

I just subbed for bo

[@zeitGGeist]

Bo @ 1:54 is how I feel taking to people

[@gunnarr9882]

Teenagers walk around with the Library of Alexandria in their pocket and they don’t know what the Library of Alexandria is…. And a goal was always to have access to information.