Bo Burnham White Woman's Instagram (Reaction!) - dedicated to Ali

[@MeganTheLibrarian3]

I think, "I'm actually going to judge white women on Instagram less" is probably the correct response to this song. The last thing Bo created before Inside was his movie Eighth Grade. He said his inspiration for that movie was watching a girl on her phone at the mall looking sort of hunched over and sad. Then she would snap her head and phone up and take a very performative selfie before snapping right back down to her hunched state. He realized that everybody on her social media was only seeing the selfie moments, but he was seeing the real her. I think this song is just an adult version of that same concept.

[@MrMajesticMajesty]

Specially when they are talking about their mom passing, the shots gets wider as you get to see their life as a whole and not just in a square picture like when it goes back to making "fun" the shot closes as they are sharing other things that arent about their real life

[@Buckaroobrandi]

Bruv this made me sad

[@ProsperoFinch]

What’s particularly brilliant about this song is that, at first, it seems like it’s mocking “white women’s instagrams” because they do seem mockable, and kinda ridiculous at face value. All the things on insta are these carefully curated moments that don’t feel real or honest. But during the bridge, when the aspect ratio changes from the insta square to widescreen, we hear a comparatively rare moment of truth and openness and sincerity, as the woman (played by Bo) talks about missing her mom for the past 10 years (which if we take the balloon 27 as evidence means her mom died when she was only 17), as well as all the things she has accomplished in that time. She’s opening up as the aspect ratio opens up, and we see the real person behind the insta account, at least for a little while. Then it closes again, and it’s back to the same old curated stuff. Except now we see it from a different mindset. No longer does the song feel like it’s outright mocking the girl; instead it acknowledges that while some of the stuff is silly, it’s something that brings the girl joy, something that she’s proud of, and it feels a bit like the song turns against those who would mock the girl in the way it seemingly did in the very beginning This song of course slots right into the greater themes of Inside, like that 1) while the internet isn’t “real”, there are real people behind what we see on the internet, and 2) while the connections we have to each other across the internet (like insta follows or Facebook friends or KZbin likes) are false connections, in the context of the pandemic when we are physically separated, these false connections are all we have, and 3) the struggle of coming to grips with that dichotomy, the idea that what brings us together is dividing us, what we need the most is also making us suffer, and that Bo himself as a creator on the internet is as complicit as any other creator, be they an independent influencer or corporate entity Basically, watch “Inside” from beginning to end.

[@mattd7828]

This comment is a nugget of pure gold, just dripping with wisdom. Well done, sir!

[@JasonTinling]

Add in the line "Give a hug and kiss to Dad", and we're faced with the reality that she's lost both of her parents before the age of 27. She's reached this formative age (first real job, fiancee, first apartment, etc) and she doesn't have access to either of the two people who would have been most proud of her accomplishments.

[@Spirits-n-Giggles]

I think a new point is starting to be shared with this Inside special. It's hard to see how much he is going through if you don't watch it all the way through. That is usually the best option to gain the best understanding of creators, and Bo is a prime example of that. As a content creator yourself, you could ONLY benefit from watching Inside from beginning to end.

[@mattd7828]

Yes, BUT... It is also easy to jump to an oversimplification of what a creator is or isn't, just based on one of their creations. Many reactors and commenters on Bo's "All eyes on me" wrongly assume that he did nothing in the 5 years that he wasn't performing live. Sure he had anxiety and likely other serious struggles that I'm glad he is bringing awareness to, but he also continued to do all kinds of other creative projects during that time. For a better perspective, listen to a few of his interviews over the years where he is quite open and you can even spot the seeds for some of the material for Inside. Here are two good ones that go deeper than most: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHe6e6SJmJ6Vp7c ; kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipy4pZKBfJWtd8U

[@Hey_Jamie]

The point of this song though was to say that yeah people might look ridiculous with what they post online, but they’re still people at the end of the day. When it got to the part about her mom, he changed the aspect ratio back to full screen. As if to say IG only gives you a fraction of someone. But when you look at the whole picture, that girl has feelings, too. And when he got back to the silly stuff, the aspect ratio changed back to IG frame.

[@discosyed]

Great observation, didn't even notice. I love when films or any medium does that deliberately to drive point.

[@marcodallolio9746]

It's not even a fraction, it's a curated construction which has little to do with your authentic self, and mostly promotes toxic narcissism and feelings of inadequacy

[@dauntingbutthereyougo6910]

Your reaction to the middle part gave me full body chills and that's what Bo is fantastic at. He's also portrayed his own struggles with mental health and a lot of his fans strongly identify with him for that reason, and they feel rightly or wrongly protective towards him in a way I haven't seen with anyone else. Maybe why you had grief for laughing... He's been laying low since Inside, but is currently directing Jerrod Carmichael's special in NYC.

[@Dan-B]

Just watch the special. even if you’ve heard the songs, the songs in context are so much better. The special is a masterpiece.

[@MrHonist1]

He laughs at the shallowness of the white woman's Instagram pictures but acknowledges that all those white woman have there own story to tell, Bo is a genius.

[@SebsDuran]

Yeah it was a good reminder. Sweet guy too clearly.

[@Crunchatize_Me_Senpai]

From what little bit of your wife’s Instagram you showed, she doesn’t seem to be who he’s poking fun at lol. I didn’t see much “basic” stuff there at all. The fact that it’s mostly pictures of your family is so wholesome, and you’ll be ecstatic that you have those pictures to look back on in 10, 20, 30 years. Made me smile 😊

[@sunxel3264]

I've heard bo is planning on going on tour again soon

[@danielperry6921]

Nice looking family there Sebs!

[@Marko_Rusak]

This man is a fkn *GENIUS* bro, that is his signature move. He reels you in with funny stuff until you asphyxiate from laughter, gut punches you with some *real world* stuff to the point of almost crying and then, when you least expect it: *A GOAT CHEESE SALAAAAAAAAAD* (goat cheese saaaaalad) He's a once in a lifetime gem... I am so fkn happy to live in the same time as him. There's no right words to describe him, I refuse to believe he's just a human.

[@themaineventwrestling]

Don't know if previously said but it's interesting the story he tells with the video. The aspect ratio to start is shot in the aspect ratio Insta uses. The moment he speaks about the mum the ratio starts to become full screen. This is to symbolise the woman coming into reality and being "real". Instantly when bigging up the boyfriend it shrinks back to the Insta ratio to symbolise the woman hiding behind her insta account. I always found this really interesting

[@AP-gb3eh]

The Chokers was how you identified prostitutes in Paris in the Late 1800s .My mothers generation used to lose it when people let little girls wear them.😂😂😂

[@davidcerullojr9948]

Sebs that HS year book photo...,,👌

[@jaceeaster2246]

please do more of the Inside special clips, bo is the man!!

[@lornemalvo4492]

You walking the entire time is like a Silicon Valley joke. That aside great reaction!

[@jacobweathers4714]

Holy crap, never saw the choker.

[@thebizarrebroadcast2320]

I like this unique experience that you experienced

[@nickwittednonpareil]

I mean if you really think about laughter, it's a reaction of shock more than anything (which can apply to a humorous or non-humorous context). I don't think anyone should give you shit about laughing when something powerful catches you off guard. It's not a value judgement. Nothing to apologize for.

[@theConquerersMama]

Well said.

[@ThisisStephennn]

I love all bo Burnham reactions. Norm, bill hicks, tool, etc

[@theresatozier3718]

i agree with what a bunch of others have said; watch the whole special (at least for yourself - doesn’t need to be a reaction)…it won’t be a waste of your time

[@bluecalix]

Typical Bo Burnham, this video is much more of an indictment of the audience than anything else. That most people really don't get it makes it that much sharper.

[@theConquerersMama]

This song leaves me in a puddle. I guess because my sis and I not only did all these fun pic with a surprising amount of pumpkins. 😆 But also because we write to our Dad who wasn't able to be there for graduations or weddings or births. If you can't be special in your own life, where are you going to be special?

[@Hey_Jamie]

7:22 awwww that makes me think of the song ‘Cross Me’ by Ed Sheeran. Definitely listen to that. You’re gonna dedicate it to Ali for sure

[@godzillaeyes]

Bo was actually in New York a couple nights ago directing Jerrod Carmichael’s new special.

[@ShockingRotom]

Your laughing when something is good is not annoying its fine, whats annoying is the bo stans that like policing your reaction and claiming your reaction is wrong and that uou aren’t aloud to laugh. Ive been binging your bo reactions and they are great it makes me CRINGE to see the people gettint angry at you for.... reacting wrong????? So no dont apologize for laughing and dont listen to the degens in the comments

[@Lavender-Waterfall]

Agreed!

[@VonPatzy]

What do you mean by “see him”? I suggest just watching the special where many of these questions are answered. If you want to make a video about your thoughts afterwords then do that. So many reactors are mining this content for the views it garners but then they are left holding dozens of ingredients and then looking at the camera and saying I don’t understand this cake. Just eat the cake instead of pontificating about the measuring cup and the egg. Then come talk about it once you know what we fans all know. It’s hard to travel down the rabbit hole from a lawn chair.

[@RoxxyFly]

I'm new here but um are you on a treadmill?? I mean kudos but ik these videos can go for some time when you consider cuts, pausing, and rewinding. Never skipping cardio lol

[@kostusia]

Its something very hard to understand that every one aroud u has as rich inner life as you and

[@joshschwarzbauer8155]

My six year old is obsessed with chokers.

[@rawdawgrandall3283]

I will 1000% subscribe if you react to either " From Gods Perspective" or "Rant"

[@ThisisStephennn]

Im the only one to comment on this video after 24 hours. (The band) COLD - remedy please

[@ThisisStephennn]

You in highschool!!! I loved the doo bro

[@mattstyles2498]

Honey how u grew. Your insides are out.

[@zachharris3040]

While I admit that acknowledging every person has multiple layers and underlying problems in their lives is a healthy thing to do, we also shouldn't just ignore the rampant mindlessness of fads and trends. Of course, everyone wants to belong and identify with a community, but there is something odd about young women spearheading trends that gives them more exposure, most times overexposure. Advertisers see a cash grab in marketing what young women are interested in and therefore put it at the forefront of mainstream culture. This is partly because of sex imo... sex sells. I will say that this kind of overexposure to their trends becomes tiring and annoying at the same time. This is just me but there are a lot more strange, niche, and interesting things out there deserving of more attention. But, like I said, the market is fixated on young people and women in their 20s. A lot of things that these demographics are into I don't think is that fun or stimulating. So, please go ahead and make fun of these stereotypical IG posts all you want. Just because Bo says something, although typically entertaining, doesn't mean it's 100 percent accurate or true. There are gray areas. Herd mentality exists for all herds but all herds don't get the same attention and adoration.

[@glutenfree7057]

Do you say the same shit for men? Jumping on that alpha beta sigma trend, memes, etc. They’re just as shallow, but people criticize women more for the same shit