The Science of Awkwardness

awkward.........
Sources and extra links below!
me on twitter: / tweetsauce
me on instagram: / electricpants
music by / jakechudnow
Embarrassment and prosociality: ist-socrates.berkeley.edu/~kel...
Empathetic Embarrassment:
www.npr.org/2014/07/19/3327600...
healthland.time.com/2011/05/05...
Cringe subreddit: / cringe
awkward hug gifs: giphy.com/search/awkward-hug
Embarrassment: www.apa.org/monitor/2012/11/em...
The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows: www.dictionaryofobscuresorrows...
The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows (on KZbin): / obscuresorrows
“Why Are We Morbidly Curious?” (related Vsauce video): • Why Are We Morbidly Cu...
social rejection and physical pain: www.pnas.org/content/108/15/62...
Social awkwardness and genetics:
news.sciencemag.org/social-sci...
www.snpedia.com/index.php/Rs53576
Psychology experiments that test the breaking of social norms are called “breaching experiments”: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breachin...
Stage Fright: business.uni.edu/buscomm/Prese...
Oxytocin:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxytocin
www.psyneuen-journal.com/artic...
Oxytocin and fear/anxiety:
www.eurekalert.org/pub_release...
negativity bias: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negativi...
more negative emotions than positive:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/artic...
www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...
Eleanor Roosevelt quote: / you-wouldn-t-worry-so-...
“in you 20s and 30s…” quote: www.ihhp.com/equotes/
The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows: www.dictionaryofobscuresorrows...
The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows (on KZbin): / obscuresorrows
“sonder” gif: i.imgur.com/zxBZ0vF.gif

[@naryosh_]

"You can't wear pants made out of molten lead." *Then what's the point of living*

[@lebigmacke123]

+100 I guess you can wear them once, don't give up on your dreams :)

[@finleycastello6512]

100, I SWEAR I HAVE SEEN YOU BEFORE IN THE COMMENT SECTION ON ANOTHER VIDEO! Same profile pic, same username.

[@naryosh_]

Tell me where and I'll be amazed

[@eyekosaeder5387]

100 just stick to mercury meanwhile... molten and, like lead, poisonous. 😂

[@JimMy-js2bu]

I take it as a challenge :)

[@liambuffet3328]

"What is awkwardness, and who is the main character of the universe?" that escalated quickly.

[@harrisonmoreno6248]

Me

[@oicmorez4129]

ikr

[@CuddleCuttlefish]

Well, technically., according to what we learned in the video: Yes, that is actually true XD

[@jiminspinkie4788]

Me (Michael said so)

[@eboysix]

I didn't even feel awkward at that comment, I just thought, 'Typical Vsauce"

[@Clankeh]

Michael is so charismatic even his attempt at awkwardness oozes charisma

[@sandieneilan467]

😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@moelester7056]

Bro got rizz

[@SidOndix]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnzSZpmanp2ppJI@@moelester7056

[@elongatedcarp6309]

I love how all vsauce videos are effectively timeless. A 7-12 year old video doesn't feel old at all. Any other video stands out so much if it's like 3+ years old

[@pierreo33]

It's gonna blow your mind if you ever watch movies made before the 2000's

[@psycho.artist]

Oh my god, I would've never guessed this was from 8 years ago. Wow

[@TheFilipFonky]

@@pierreo33 dafuq? There are plenty of movies before the 2000s that aged well and others that aged terribly. That's got nothing to do with what that guy said

[@MrPatPatriot223]

I legit thought he posted this video recently until i saw your comment haha

[@killjinxx]

@@pierreo33????

[@notmozart8866]

When you send a message in a group chat but no one replies

[@jasongjs9003]

Not Mozart fr 😂

[@sauceontoes3457]

This happened to me 5 mins ago

[@jamiemcmillan6742]

That really pisses me off, especially if it's a question

[@Robin-jk6wz]

You guys have group chats?

[@Salthat]

How’s that awkward?

[@thedynamicdoggo4155]

“Nice weather today” “Thanks”

[@ricomotions5416]

oh god

[@QuicksolutionsOnline]

Whats the cringe here? I can control weather coz im god

[@TheTerribleUsername]

@@QuicksolutionsOnline.

[@ClumsyYT]

@@QuicksolutionsOnline nah he meant you are thanking someone thinking you got a compliment

[@jev8665]

@@QuicksolutionsOnline NO

[@kiwimiwi5452]

I hate watching "cringey" things or shows that have embarrassing elements (a really common thing in many shows for kids and teens) because I always felt so dang embarrassed for the characters, so I usually just left the room. I think that's the main reason why I stopped watching shows entirely, I just couldn't deal with that awkwardness

[@JustCallMeMikey]

i feel you on this. there are very little shows i enjoy bc i think everything is cringe

[@shokingblazemangaming]

Reminds me of how horrible Americas got talent is

[@trohpi]

it happens most frequently to me when im reading embarrassing situations, reading them makes me want to throw the book across the room 😭 i usually just end up having to take a small break b4 persevering

[@Skadi.-]

Reading this comment making me cringe uncontrollably

[@JustCallMeMikey]

@@Skadi.- im cringing rnrnrn

[@collidingforces9589]

To me feeling awkward is the inability to face ourselves as imperfect. We seek perfection in order to be loved by others. That is the biggest error a human can make. We are absolutely imperfect and we need to learn to laugh at ourselves and voice it out to others. It's good medicine.

[@JarredG1]

Good point 👍

[@laurencereynolds7626]

Ion think it's that deep

[@suhanasid]

@@laurencereynolds7626 it is

[@teagan914]

@@laurencereynolds7626it is a complex subject

[@helmerdelcito3941]

I really wish I could just act like a normal human being I can tell how awkward people behave around me, and that makes me consequently awkward. It's gotten to a point where I wonder if it has anything to do with my appearance

[@wobbmin3705]

"Nice weather today." "Thanks." "You're welcome."

[@tastedivinefury2198]

😭

[@jiveassturkey8849]

“Bless you”

[@M1LKMAN]

I got that Oblivion NPC energy

[@alfortuna]

needed a while to spot the awkwardness.

[@mightbetoad6786]

"Y-you too"

[@yagorg1492]

- "Bye" - "See you soon" *Both proceed to walk the same way*

[@ch-17vevo55]

YagoRG and then you both turn the other way to prevent awkwardness but make it so much worse

[@nerox8531]

Thats why you ask which way they are going before you say bye

[@dieshyguy2197]

@@nerox8531 but they you will feel weird so you keep walking then start sweating intensely

[@AK-jt7kh]

I think if this happened to me I would burst out laughing

[@ZzDC2]

I just punch them in the gut and run

[@SwampyTT]

"it effects all of you." is he saying that it doesnt effect him and he is the main character of the universe

[@declan99]

1:00 ..or walking down an excessively long hallway and seeing someone you know on the other side. Then pretending to look around like you didn’t see them instead of stare at them the entire time you’re walking down that hallway. Gets me every damn time and it’s probably the most common thing that I find awkward.

[@shanelefebvre9481]

You gotta own the awkwardness and greet them from far away

[@name2l]

​@@shanelefebvre9481that would feel fine to me to with my friends but not my teachers or other people like that ykyk

[@an_annoying_cat]

The camera man is definitely feeling awkward because he’s trying to walk away from Michael but he just keeps on approaching

[@theenviousfox7589]

Hoo, you're approaching me?

[@llounfox9290]

Crix - Crox what does that mean

[@deeperbobcat6996]

Llounfox You will never reach the truth

[@llounfox9290]

Deeper Bobcat I need help man

[@llounfox9290]

Adonis Rodriguez thanks for the suggestion it i will try it and see how it goes

[@badmontad]

"not illegal to sneeze on a crowded bus" me: ahhhhh the good old days

[@raulgalets]

When you could also drink and drive, chew tobacco and smoke indoors

[@WyteChinpira]

I found the comedian

[@wolfgamiing89]

Ahh yes...back in the old days!

[@brentwebster2821]

I was thinking to myself about how well that aged too

[@pre-d]

900th like :0

[@CelestialChannel333]

I'm gonna to watch this everytime I feel awkward.

[@Marcomanexists]

The thing with cringey awkward moments is we tend to only remember the things we did, not what others did. There’s only a handful of embarrassing things other people have done in my past that I remember. I’d imagine for most people it’s the same.

[@wokie.3204]

Yeah people are just looking at themselves and thinking about things that do and not about other people

[@ViliTheFox]

Nope you are just the only awkward one lol

[@DrowseeGameplay]

How to make any Vsauce video We all eat food right? But how many atoms make up an infinite universe?

[@muddymutt5815]

Sounds about right.

[@Mo-Man]

+Drowsee Then que Vsauce's "shit about to get real" music

[@soleilcrona1390]

"Michael here. But who is 'Michael,' and what does 'Here' taste like?"

[@s3dchr]

+Drowsee "One and a half minutes into the vid and chill and Michael gives you this look"

[@alexryback8253]

We all have emotions but what is? ..... THE MAIN CHARACTER OF THE UNIVERSE!

[@jupie1471]

" Be careful the food may be a little hot " " You too "

[@michealpants]

@disabled account no it couldnt

[@Kapin05]

There's an easy solution to this. *Start a food-fight.*

[@ondra_rx732]

@disabled account yea I wanna try to say that to a girl rn

[@sasdagreat8052]

@@ondra_rx732 So, how awkward was it?

[@ondra_rx732]

@@sasdagreat8052 u rlly think I can talk to girls?

[@leslieenriquez4085]

I never thought I was awkward until it hit me like a freight train when all my best friends described me as awkward…I had to self reflect a lot that night…😫

[@PerkeleenPelle]

Win for you since you aren't the one feeling awkward, you're good at making others awkward haha

[@ericparrish1515]

May the pointers get the boomerang. That way you're golden.

[@sp00kyd4ddy6]

​@fuckingpikachu5695 probably why he's considered an awkward person cuz he's let it go on for so long 😂

[@lissyw1529]

Great video. I have depression and anxiety. Sometimes „protagonist disease” gives me social anxiety, but when I’m depressed it changes to “sonder” and I’m feeling like the world with all those complex lives keeps turning around me while my life is just empty and irrelevant to others. I feel like my ideology is changing constantly from one extreme to another.

[@forgottenmemories978]

I know it's been ten months since you wrote this comment but after seeing zero replies I just had to reply to you (I don't really do this often). Of course we are both internet strangers that barely know anything from each other, like me not knowing the origins of the issues that you are facing currently. All I know is, that we both feel the same thing. I've always been a quiet person since the start, but stuff has gotten worse over the years (call it bad experiences). That thing you said, about the complex lives that are turning around you while your life was "empty" and "irrelevant", I know that feeling too damn well. You might think, that you haven't accomplished anything or anything worth mentioning, but you are wrong. It just depends on your perspective. We simply exist in a time, where we constantly worry about achieving all of our major goals as fast as possible. Something that is flat out unrealistic due to the sheer amount of possibilities that are put on a person (and our interests shifting over time). And with the ideologies shifting from one extreme to another, that's just social media for you. None of that stuff should take up any more of your attention than it already has. So as corny as this may sound, just remember that you are the hero of your own story while others are their own as well. I know this feeling of yours won't change immediately from one day to another, but it will slowly over time if you keep the right mentality up (it's not impossible). And if you don't think you can do it by yourself, then that's completely fine. Everyone, and I mean everyone needs a helping hand at times, some people can just hide it very well. Be the hero of your own story, internet stranger! While I try to be my own as well. (sorry for the long comment)

[@joeyb3889]

@@forgottenmemories978thank you. I felt that^^ and that. Needed that

[@Shmozone]

I think it's awesome how every single person has their own life story as complex as your own.

[@adamdrury5556]

Deathshredder58 i think its awesome that beyond our stories and thoughts we are all the same thing but one big communicating plasm of signals

[@Zigby_]

Deathshredder58 here's a good analogy for people People are like icebergs viewed from the sky, appearing small but in reality are huge and complex below the surface

[@iwantmykidssusan4941]

Deathshredder58 what if it's a simulation and you're the control

[@cliffordtan5472]

i think its cool that even though we are the main characters of our own lives, for others we are just part of their backgrounds.

[@lemonmint5851]

Deo LeBrundo Sim 3?

[@herc5639]

"enjoy your meal" *You too*

[@SkillUpMobileGaming]

Jokes are like food; some people just don't get it.

[@jakegarza2671]

@@SkillUpMobileGaming looks like africa needs more comedians lol

[@ghostofbungie9780]

OH MY GOD IVE DONE THIS SO MANY TIMES

[@grunstudio]

Hey how are you? Fine and you? Fine and you? (Oh shit)

[@danny55531]

This could be fixed by simply adding "When the time comes"

[@boingyboop4960]

12:27 I think I first experienced “sonder” at around the age of 8. It’s good to have words for these things because then we can actually talk about them rather than having these curious nameless thoughts trapped in your brain unable to be communicated properly.

[@DearHumanity48]

This made me feel better on a really rough mental health day. Getting out of my head and in to someone else's, sitting on a park bench and having sonder for everyone passing by, was actually a big stress. So thank you for that.

[@daynejosephh]

This video is the ultimate cure for my anxiety over all the stupid & awkward stuff I do every day.

[@imnotaweebyounormie547]

lmao

[@Jixaw15]

h

[@wanderingrandomer]

It was the epiphany that people will barely spend any time thinking about you that really helped with my social anxiety. I turned it the other way: I listed everyone I know and realised I hardly spend much time at all thinking about any one person.

[@synthwhore]

Exactly what i was thinking! Its like thearapy to my awkwardness!

[@abdipfy]

Same. x'3

[@Lee-mv3im]

There's a spooky skeleton inside your body right now copying everything you do.

[@HavnisD2]

Blue eyes white Pepe the best comment I have ever read on a Vsauce video by far

[@fennec4234]

YO THATS FUCKING SCARY WHEN YOU IMAGINE IT

[@Lee-mv3im]

wait what? this was supposed to get lost in the comments. and i got likes.

[@wortwortwort117]

Blue eyes white Pepe holy shit! I can feel it now!

[@carlosmarco9865]

Blue eyes white Pepe even blinking?

[@jameswalton5733]

3:05 its awkward that this video is 7 years old and this clip is still relevant in 2022

[@sp00kyd4ddy6]

One thing I learned as an awkward kid growing up was that mentioning awkward situations when they arise usually gets rid of any tension from others

[@yeehaw142]

"It's not illegal to sneeze on a bus without covering your nose" 2020:

[@jackr4507]

was just thinking this

[@--x--2083]

*Wait thats illegal-*

[@vistagreat9994]

@Carl Kirchhoff The funniest.

[@mrinfo2821]

Wear a 😷 at least

[@pepe371]

This is sadly true people would literakly flip the heck out if you went on a bus sneezing nowadays

[@namelessperson2732]

“It’s not illegal to not cover a sneeze when on a crowded bus” 2020: hmmmm

[@thequitekid687]

I was looking for this xD

[@RaviSingh-qd5pz]

I had this on my mind too.

[@joncena4538]

I hope we can get a cure

[@sajeucettefoistunevaspasme]

@@joncena4538 not sure

[@1ztype343]

2020: Any sign of sickness will be purged and the body burned and ashes dumped in space.

[@user-tl5sh8dg6e]

Somewhere around early middle school is when I realized that random people in cars passing by on road trips or whatever are seeing me as a random kid too and will never remember me again

[@muhammadsufyan1396]

Bro tried to sneak Joe Biden in 💀

[@Sarfnic]

If you're reading this, I'm a very small side character in your world.

[@shovel5526]

true, I’ll probably forget about this comment u made in a week & until then, I’ll only remember u as one sentence you formed

[@voidhorizons9096]

Typical of me to get sentimental over a comment as simple as that

[@Sarfnic]

@@shovel5526 Same here I guess. But, who knows how many secretly reoccurring characters there are.

[@kettlefleet829]

im the same to you

[@emmadabdelkrim3073]

At this moment you're the most important character I'm my life

[@ConnorsXbox]

“Hey how are you?” “Not bad yourself?” “Not bad you?”

[@therotconsumes]

lmaoooooooo

[@pooshmcfly1525]

Not bad

[@FBIIlIlIlIIlIl]

ngl i've seen that happen so many times and nobody even noticed it happend

[@Yasi_nzi]

😂😂

[@CNSproductions14]

this one is a classic conversation killer

[@JackDSquat]

The Joe Biden sniffing the girl’s hair clip 😂

[@Newfsters]

Ngl, Michael made me tear up with this one, as I have recently developed a horrible fear of what others think about me, and now I understand that they don't. All this from an eight year old video.

[@BG-dq9pp]

“The science of Awkwardness” 1 minute later *Who is the main character of the universe?*

[@anch95]

Michael Scott

[@tinystrider1848]

Yep,classic michael

[@NaudVanDalen]

I read your comment and thought you were joking.

[@riwjr]

Frisk

[@Cat-ki3hy]

Mario lol

[@vanrosenthal8236]

Cashier: “Receipt in bag?” Me: “you too”

[@TotallyNotSena]

Cashier proceeds to get in the bag

[@suwinkhamchaiwong8382]

@@TotallyNotSena nice hentai plot will adapt

[@alexconnolly5448]

that's one of the best comments ever I've been laughing for a while

[@sentosaco]

I got so excited, I busted a nut for this comment. As a former retail employee, my body developed a new organ to process all of the cringe that I had to endure for working in a store.

[@anonymebande8561]

Cashier: „Receipt in Bag?“ Me:“you too!“ Cashier: „ Have a great day“ Me: „No, thanks :)“ *ooof* moment

[@sethstar4630]

Bro threw in Biden 😂

[@bungercolumbus]

I am the type of guy who intentionally fucks up handshakes with my friends just because I think it's funny.

[@marilynm7806]

how many strangers have photos of me in the background? how many times have i been an extra in someone elses life? i ask myself these questions alot

[@TeganBurns]

Welp you're currently an extra in my life. Hello stranger on the internet that I'll never know anything about!! That's pretty weird to think about...

[@radRadiolarian]

Ari McGuire someone took a picture at a restaurant and i was in the background throwing up

[@gingerbreadman7729]

how many times ones have you been a KZbin comment that someone scrolled right by?

[@ghost_curse]

By virtue of me seeing your comment, you are now an extra in my life.

[@arcaderabbit7788]

Here's my own self insertion as an extra character

[@Zigby_]

When you try to move out of the way of somebody and they move the same way

[@elchapotheratchetcholo2353]

LittleZoey mincraft yup

[@crayx48]

I don't think it is awkward. I think it to be funny

[@kaigogov5453]

i love this video. I have a lot of anxiety about social interactions and a large part of what makes me anxious is the possibility of an awkward interaction. Fully explaining the concept of sonder really helped me out with calming my anxiety about such awkward situations lingering in my mind. Thanks Vsauce!

[@biggieboss3161]

thank you bald science man for giving me conciousness

[@FarHowling]

I've been in that handshake-Fistbump dilemma way too often. Last time it happened I shook the other persons fist.

[@seanhardy_]

FarHowling try to use handshakes for first impressions or your boss or for formal occasions, use the fist bump for friends. Its also easier to stick to one type instead of changing.

[@Baconmanperson]

I usually make the decision that we are adults and we will shake hands. If they go for a fist bump I just say, "nah, shake my hand." so they're wrong.

[@Whahaa]

The best way to avoid that situation is not to change. If the other person goes in for a fistbump and you go in for a handshake, most often both of you will change. If you put out your hand, just keep it there and let the other person shake your hand.

[@superymariowest2403]

where I am handshakes are standard when in business or meeting acquaintances and colleagues. Even among friends we greet with a handshake-to-hug or a standard handshake to backpat or standard handshake. Fistbumps are dated and impractical (usually miss lol) so they're rarely used in my area. Go for the Handshake, less awkward

[@Kathkere]

Never experienced it myself. I have, however, experienced high five-fistbump mixups. And those tend to get awkward, no matter how much you try to joke it off. :p

[@ot2081]

thank you, bald science man

[@rainbowisticfarts]

but he has 4 k g mustach

[@mingzijeff5431]

Kirby superstar lol dude, all he said was bald, and you start attacking him, its hilarious you think thats an insult

[@Lucas.02.]

kirby superstar was that a joke? Please say that was a joke.

[@GodsTodd]

kirby superstar are you trolling or joking?

[@ihavenosociallifedaddy0253]

Bald man of science

[@TweekLudwig]

VSauce giving all the examples at the start, but he missed the biggest one: Waving at someone you thought was waving at you

[@harveypotts9259]

I remember exactly where I was when I first acknowledged sonder. I was on a roundabout looking at cars on a shopping trip with my mum and I was mindblown by it.

[@YoMamasLlama22]

A conversation I had in passing: “Hey, good to see you” “Good, you?” “You too” “Enjoy your day”

[@That-One-Auden]

Haha

[@7yep4336dfgvvh]

I was so tired and rushed one day that I said 'How's it doing?' To someone, then immediately tried to regain my balance and said, "how are you going?" Lmao

[@Maca64N]

@@7yep4336dfgvvh as a non-native English speaking person, I don't see the error. D:

[@7yep4336dfgvvh]

@@Maca64N lol

[@MatVeiQaaa]

@@7yep4336dfgvvh i, as a non-native too, would describe it as maybe slightly weird (but acceptable), but overall it wouldnt matter and fly out of my attention in next 10 seconds.

[@jonathan-zo9nh]

Me: time to sleep Brain: heres some cringey stuff happened last year

[@gokulkrishna9037]

OMG so true so true so true so true

[@tunahairextensions5008]

its alright, if you remember a cringe moment it means you have developed as a person :)

[@pixtron8936]

@parpanbacyrcym well true. it also depends on that person

[@diegomo1413]

Mine sometimes goes for the classics, from 5 years ago 😀🔫

[@NoSaysJo]

@@Reality_Gamer_2 tf are you on about you git

[@heyimkira5332]

I’ve overcome awkward interactions with pure confidence and enthusiasm. Making myself comfortable with it eventually helps the other person overcome the awkward feeling.

[@hiroshizurati656]

"words put handles on things" that is a beautiful metaphora which will stuck in my head for too much

[@churmmmcuz2823]

“What is awkwardness? Why is it good? And... Who is the main character of the universe?” Wait, what?

[@winterwraith8339]

Ikr? I was like "...... God??............."

[@mrtwistr]

Michael is the main character of the universe

[@slimeypiston574]

Every vsauce video in a nutshell

[@graciliraptor3990]

IKR XDD

[@NobodyYouKnow01]

Narrative hook is best hook

[@bills1377]

Waiter: "Enjoy your food" Me: "You too"

[@captainbirch9835]

All around me are familiar faces

[@sylviak2538]

delivery guy dropping off your pizza: "pizza smells good" me: "you too"

[@MrMudslap]

Oh GOD NO!

[@theowlhouseseason3213]

@@sylviak2538 why

[@raybrunken9707]

sylvia k insert phub intro

[@AgushhLondres]

I don't think you have an idea of how much your videos mean to me, Michael. You put out the best content on this app. Without a doubt.

[@herrbois7985]

The fact that Michal used cringe is amazing

[@Iosima]

What is awkwardness? *skip 5 seconds by accident* Who is the main character of the universe?

[@damienbenson9985]

original

[@yacy5954]

@@damienbenson9985 very.

[@kath.h.523]

don't get it

[@Untiforgins]

@@kath.h.523 Boy. He's talking bout' the first five seconds of the video. Go rewatch it.

[@kath.h.523]

@@Untiforgins Still don't get it

[@leandrotavarez9]

When I forget someone's name they automatically become bro

[@gareyal3172]

When I forget someone's name they automatically become "hey"

[@ChaosRayZero]

@LTU MOVIES Then there's that *awkward* moment when people call me "dude" or "bro" online, and I can't help but *wonder if they think I'm* some annoying weirdo when I bother to correct them that I'm actually a "dudette" or "sistah." >﹏>

[@gareyal3172]

@@ChaosRayZero that's why I just say "hey" because its gender neutral

[@leandrotavarez9]

@@ChaosRayZero Now if you were to change you channel name or profile picture we wouldn't have to go through these problems

[@ChaosRayZero]

@@leandrotavarez9 I've asked before why people think I'm male. I've ONCE before gotten the answer "your screen name", but the person didn't elaborate when I asked why. =^/ Not to mention there was no difference during the time when I temporarily changed my profile pic to Vanellope Von Schweets.

[@ZaidIsm007]

Being confident in our awkwardness, while also looking down in submission to the social order of things (etiquette, being normal) helps reintegrate (welcome) ourselves into the social ranks. It tells other people you want to work together, and that you're mostly innocent. All of which conveys trustworthiness. Owning who you are with confidence and not running away from it, be it social errors or failing, is key here. People who aren't confident seem untrustworthy, because they look like they're hiding something by not owning who they are, what they say, or do. Which could be malicious.

[@jjtrades7186]

I love how Michael puts things into perspective. I always leave his videos feeling better about life in general. Thanks awkward bro

[@ezman-vn8zy]

"You can't wear pants made out of molten lead." Well, there goes my Friday night.

[@mr.nolife4697]

I wanna see what your weekends are like

[@ezman-vn8zy]

@@mr.nolife4697 Oh believe me you don't

[@mr.nolife4697]

@@ezman-vn8zy clowns, peanut butter, and hardcord acts of intimacy that would cause God to shutter?

[@ezman-vn8zy]

@@mr.nolife4697 h-how did you... How did you know?

[@mr.nolife4697]

@@ezman-vn8zy lucky guess?

[@swarnimvajpai6373]

"Hey! Happy birthday!" "You too!"

[@swarnimvajpai6373]

@RayRexDex or are they? 🤨 *Vsauce music intensifies*

[@brindleyadolphus4905]

Happens All the time hahahahaha

[@SadisticKillerXx]

*at the restaurant* Waitress: Have a good meal. Me: You too!

[@aimohsin1380]

Waiter: *What would you like to eat?* Me: *uhh, yes*

[@Has7DCT]

*Wait, that's illegal*

[@realityorfiction]

The problem is those judgey people. We have all encountered that one stuck up person who when we make a mistake or accidentally say something awkward they will say "thats awkward " and make things even more awkward. That moment lasts 100 years or it feels like it. We feel like we messed up and in the future we remember how life changing that moment so we try to avoid it but in the process we just become more awkward, it's a viscous cycle.

[@ebishrimpy9366]

Listening to this helped me more with social and performance anxiety than all the psycho therapist youtubers I'm subscribed to 😆

[@anguskeenan4932]

“Welcome to McDonalds can I take your order?” “Sorry”

[@terseplayz4757]

😭😭

[@shahxad6533]

I thought it was a public restroom

[@digitmidget6973]

me

[@Wolf_runner12]

gUYS ITS impossible to finad a music at 0:12! Please someone help with that!

[@odisclemons9700]

Nope...

[@blacknaker5200]

A group of friends: The ice breaker guy The popular guy The popular guys girlfriend The tag along and join in guys The guy who just stands there saying nothing I'm that guy who just stands there saying nothing :(

[@OrangeUtan1]

Blacknakers im not on de list because i have no friends.

[@AfonsodelCB]

I know those guys. I always try to make them talk

[@madhavsingh5693]

Blacknakers i am the guy who just stands there saying nothing :/

[@AfonsodelCB]

I'm the guy that I dont think gets a classification, because I just stay out of the groups. I don't like talking to more then 1 person at a time, because I feel like when there is someone else, people act differently. Usually I make a couple of friends from each group, and I just talk with them at school, and at home I stick to my web friends.

[@bobbybrogenlie6177]

I try to be the snarky guy. Then again, we're all snarky, so it doesn't even matter anymore.

[@Entropy67]

I can't believe I used to watch these videos in middleschool and high-school. Vsauce really provided the foundation of a lot of my beliefs and understandings about the world. Truly wonderful. Thanks, Michael.

[@Coreyahno]

This is the video I randomly needed recommended to me the day of my interview for a new job.

[@dickiemckay]

The acting is real. When are we going to see you in a major Hollywood film Michael!? 10/10 would cast.

[@Adam-cq2yo]

That sounds so rude, even when it's flat true. XD

[@Tryler_]

How did you find out he's been an actor this whole time dickie damn never would have saw that coming WOW

[@machinegun20]

You know why I think that Michaell would be a great actor. Because I saw a video of him that wasn't scripted on the Foodtube channel with Jamie Oliver, and there, Michael acted a little of awkward. But when it's scripted and it is his own thing, he is gonna rock it!

[@Adam-cq2yo]

+neuralshock7 It's because the typical arch villain is Dr. Reallysmart. ;) "Hello, Micheal here. What if… Hitler succeeded in his quest for world domination? Could it happen in our time? What would it take?" ;)

[@Tryler_]

machinegun20 nah bro havent you seen the video when he was on jimmy kimmel talkin bout the grand canyon or sum shit he was awkward on there prob just as much as where you saw him idk if he is an actor for this vsauce channel im lovin it no one could do these videos like him just as ray with =3

[@jaimitoelcartero5758]

6:37 just imagine being on a first date and the other person body instinctively contracts into a protective fetal position because of an awkward silence

[@llama4763]

Lol this is the funniest comment here.

[@whataminow_1d]

underrated comment... :D

[@joeyc_yeet6207]

HAHAHAHAHA laughed at this for prob 10 minutes

[@e-towncuber5522]

Lmao

[@WAITyesTHATguy]

Call dat bish a rolli-polli

[@nothingisordinary]

This video actually helped me with lack of confidence going to the gym for the first time. Thanks Vsauce!

[@xemirov9298]

It feels so good to look small The feeling when emptyness replaces anexiety It's amazing

[@HessSR]

lol how is vsauce so good at acting awkward

[@usermikaelm]

Mekkel because he's a drama student

[@HessSR]

Really?

[@JustinMacFadden]

because he likes French fries

[@ijs8548]

Mekkel he always jump from down or from leaft or right.. its like watching a PowerPoint slides xD

[@anntony5585]

You should watch LAHWF

[@jimmypratt]

I refuse to believe Michael has ever been awkward. He’s too charismatic. In a...enthusiastic cult leader way.

[@yoongiboongi7307]

Deadass. 😂😂😂😂

[@PULVERIZER01]

Lol he even looks like joeseph seed..

[@rando0ne975]

*an I'm not sorry

[@psicopaticduck]

@@PULVERIZER01 yo i found a ubisoft fan

[@psicopaticduck]

@@PULVERIZER01 i didn't knew they existed

[@mintyhippo8125]

Realizing that everyone has a life as complex as me doesn’t make me feel small; it makes me feel happy I get to be a part of a world that is so complex. It’s really freeing to know how many possibilities are out there, and that your life has so much potential because every life has so much potential and you will bounce off of countless people who can make your life new and better and different.

[@Ipomoea_Alba]

I realized while Michael was explaining things that he’s such a good actor!

[@huhneat1076]

My grandma: "You're so handsome, you must get all the girls!" Me:

[@nahfid2003]

@Aakriti Poudel nice try grandma

[@hlw2499]

So hum ... is your grandma single ?

[@Rinkawaiii]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@thanoscube8573]

Lol my grandfather in a nutshell, I needed this

[@daddylonglegs1538]

So fkn truuuu

[@adloltery]

What is awkwardness? AND WHO is the main charcter in the universe? Me: well that was quick

[@FluorescentGreen5]

lets face the main character is Morgan Freeman

[@roodycall1033]

morgan freeman and samuel l jackson

[@orabetic]

No, I believe they're the narrators

[@pen4uin332]

i was like "HERE WE GO AGAIN"

[@mysticmac5555]

Find out ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF DRAGON BALL Z!

[@215Xavier]

Holy crap, that cardboard analogy was baked in my brain. Revisiting this video after 8 years… can’t believe it’s been so long.

[@Cupcakecat58]

the way to beat awkwardness is to acknowledge the awkwardness and laugh at your selves over it. It releases tensions and breaks the ice allowing for a more natural flow of conversation

[@kaamn1829]

i came here to get unawkward.

[@sidneyverite1219]

Nope

[@TrounceJ]

Didnt work

[@plxnetastro]

Knowing the problem is the first step to fixing your issue!! Good luck!!

[@THE-NC2]

In order to not make something awkward, you should not say anything at all lol

[@iiromutanen5719]

123MRFRIENDZONED your username and comment are a good duo

[@gui18bif]

Why doesn't school teach us like vsauce does.

[@daniel117100]

because most people only become teachers because they are too stupid or lazy to get a good job with their degree

[@gui18bif]

daniel117100 well then i will become a teacher

[@adrianpawlik6616]

daniel117100 More like they dont want a different job because they would rather just have an easy job. Despite what people might think the job of a teacher is actually quite easy. You just repeat what you already know, you dont need to work to hard either physically or mentally. The only downside is that kids can be shits but just like patients at the doctor or people buying at the shop or getting a taxi etc. Basically in most jobs you encounter people who will make your job harder/more annoying from time to time

[@daniel117100]

+Adrian Pawlik I'm currently in high school and I can't understand why they get paid for the extremely little they do

[@chickendew2223]

+daniel117100 Well the bad ones yeah... But the good ones they deserve more money. They work harder than they need to for their pay just so we get good grades that allow us to earn way more than they ever will. I have a huge amount of respect for good teachers. The fact they work harder than they need to for our benefit is so generous.

[@JustinRiray]

Things to remember: Negativity Bias - we remember and subconsciously give more weight/value to negative experiences and emotions than we do to positive Protagonist Disease - Thinking we are the center of the universe Fundamental Attribution Error - when evaluating situations, you view yourself as a complex character, when posed with the same situation, you judge others as just that one simple mistake/success Sonder: seeing other people's as having as vivid lives as the ones we see ourselves, and understanding that we are a blip in their universe

[@MicrowavedGod]

13:15 normal person: "It makes all of us look small" Michael: "It makes all of YOU (mortials) look small"

[@Eedelia01]

Finally, this explains why I can't watch awkward social moments in movies. I always find an excuse to leave so as to not watch because it makes my muscles physically hurt.

[@amouramarie]

I can't watch most reality tv. Even interviews, like on late night talk shows, I can only sit through about half the time. Yup, I know that tense muscle feeling.

[@bills1377]

U guys should watch impractical jokers 😂

[@miranda.cooper]

This is why I hate what I call "dumb comedy" where the "funny" part is that they're so clueless lol

[@emmote77]

It's so bad for me I can't even watch the news when they interview someone from the general public. I know before it even happens that it's going to hurt so I have to leave. It's horrible. I hate being EEE.

[@antarchi80]

Me too! I cringe so much I can’t even watch certain scenes from Harry Potter despite knowing exactly what happens. It causes me physical pain and I always have to skip it or walk away or put the video on mute

[@tashaz1232]

When he showed the clip of Biden, I knew he was a time traveler.

[@barnacles1352]

TashaZ123 how?

[@ballsach8864]

Creepy joe has been molesting for ever

[@pranavlimaye]

Yes Joe is pretty creepy, but what does that have to do with time travel?

[@mannyyy6993]

this was the comment I've been looking for 😂

[@xxxod]

trump has 25 allegations against him so yes trump is creepy as well just look at his 'locker room talk'

[@PapaJohn144]

This is something I notice I struggle with and I just wish there was a way to change this about me. a lot of the things described in the video made me realize these are remedies that play in my life everyday

[@worthfightingfor2299]

THAT ENDING. MY WRITER'S HEART JUST- 😍😂

[@ShadeWMD]

Whenever I get socially awkward I violently vacate my bowels and pass out.

[@CircusQueen8]

Same

[@maxonite]

Dude what the fuck.

[@ShadeWMD]

Michael Proctor High five! Actually, we should wash our hands first.

[@polarbjorn3335]

seconded

[@mattk6343]

And this is awkward because....?

[@quatreunhuit]

If we're all the protagonist of our own story/life then every interractions I have with other people is a crossover.

[@lij4335]

Krenjura 🤯

[@squidlytv]

Marvel ain't got nothing on Earth.

[@samyuktag4842]

Krenjura hi I’m just a random character

[@hewhomustnotbenamed5912]

I'm guessing Trump the UN is the real life equivalent of the Avengers movies.

[@davivasconcelos7632]

​@@samyuktag4842 hello i'm just a random character who liked your comment

[@Dhips.]

Sonder is something I've thought about for a very long time, but I see it as a beautiful thing. It should fill you with joy and wonder.

[@--luke--]

I rewatch this every once in while so I can remember to just chill lmao

[@lurategh]

One time I included quarters in my purchase and the cashier said, "Oh thanks, we needed these," and I started with "you're welcome" but switched to "no problem" and ended up saying "your problem."

[@glitter_bomb7260]

LOL😂

[@lehti95]

and then corrected "no welcome"

[@bravo803]

Its all good unless you say welcome problems

[@karla3153]

Did you actually?

[@meelia4593]

Fucking hell I literally cried from laughter. Thank you for this.

[@3FishProductions]

Vsauce: it's not illegal not to cover a sneeze Corona-Virus: *laughs microscopically*

[@WildStar2002]

I came down here looking for this comment! :-)

[@ezramgabriel6822]

😆😆😆

[@heavy0119]

... now it is

[@EduardoGarcia-ww8su]

"Or is it?"

[@muhammadomarsiddiq7066]

As soon as I heard Michael mentioning sneezing in public, I was expecting coronavirus comments 😆

[@KITT.007]

I love how Micheal demonstrates emotions and body language so well! Because I’ve always had a hard time connecting the dots between awkward things, and what’s called normal things. This makes me understand how other humans socialize and sympathize more clearly. (I especially like how different emotions will affect certain situations. Life really feels like a video game in hard mode, you got one life. :D )

[@emmanuelzambrano641]

1:14 “We don’t like awkwardness” i feel like a masochist by saying that i love that feeling

[@Ryan-Streams]

*me flirting with girls* “hey can you take this nasal spray please”

[@masken8355]

Ryan's Rants Just say ”Hey Vsauce Michael Here”

[@marwan4358]

@@masken8355 Oh my god 😂😂

[@marwan4358]

This comment is so underrated tho 😂

[@danielvanroggen2275]

Or offer some mdma :) less awkward

[@5H4D0W_60D]

I thought your name says Ryan's Pants for a sec there...

[@alik250]

That clip of Biden trying to kiss that kid sure didn't age well

[@alisa8869]

So that was Biden?? Lol. I thought it was because he was creepily kissing some girl, but I wasn't sure if I was just imagining it

[@jojo.s_bekaar_adventures]

@D JL whatever

[@TheSlicingSword]

I came to the comments looking for this hahaha

[@wijny4222]

now this video is deleted from all platforms.. hmmmm

[@ethanwild3301]

@@jojo.s_bekaar_adventures once you past the threshold of evil corruptness all you can do is just focus on your self. and local and state politics.

[@philippburger923]

Great Video. Even though it takes a lot more to "overcome" awkwardness than knowing about these concepts, it really made me think different about social interaction. Next time I feel the "pain", I will have that in mind. Thanks!

[@dogeboigd5377]

Bro started with, “What is awkwardness.” To “Who is the main character of the universe.”