(First) Kiss(es): A News 'n' Trends Post

By now, I'm sure most of you have seen Spencer and Wren's infamous "First Kiss" video that virally circulated the internet a couple of weeks ago. A friend of mine had posted the video on Facebook when it first dropped, and I, along with millions of others, was caught up in the adorable and unexpected intimacy of those first kisses. The awkwardness, the connection, all of it, was captivating whether you agreed with the premise or not.

However, if you've seen the video, you've probably heard the backlash. When it was "revealed" that the video was in fact released by a clothing company and featured 20 actors kissing, internet viewers were upset. Reactions ranged from mild to extreme, as with any betrayal on the internet. Some of the best reactions were parodies on the video ("First Raspberries" is a safe bet, but watch what you google if you try to find more! ;) ); but overall, people were upset.

I read an interesting perspective on Verily Online by Monica Gabriel in which she used the upset over the video's trickery to discuss what physical intimacy means for emotional intimacy. Her point is valid: perhaps the greatest reason why so many internet viewers were so passionately upset was because they had thought they'd witnessed honest, passionate, love-at-first-sight intimacy.

The truth is that WREN and Tatia PIlieva the filmmaker cleverly dropped that video to disassociate it with the clothing brand only to reveal it later. The truth is that, whatever their "commercial motives" that many internet viewers assume, the group did ask strangers to kiss for the first time on camera, whether they were actors or not. Perhaps it was more scripted than many of us would like to admit. But the overall message is one of intimacy. Gabriel hits the nail on the head by relating the internet backlash to a discussion on the connections between physical and emotional intimacy. We spied on these quick (or in some cases not so quick) moments of physical intimacy. In some couples, we thought we saw that spark of connection. In others, we commiserated with their awkwardness. And we felt betrayed when we were told that the intimacy was in any way staged, somehow assuming that these models had scripted out every laugh, smile, and touch. 

We don't know exactly how the video was created, but despite our betrayal, the short film is sweet. We don't know that we're witnessing love-at-first-sight kind of intimacy, but that doesn't mean that we don't notice the connection, if only assumed by ourselves when watching, between that first kiss and the road to real intimacy. The fact that video was created by a clothing brand doesn't negate its authenticity, but it does mean that this is one creative clothing brand. And hey, they got you looking!

Absence

Oh hello. How are you going? My name is Sarah, in case you forgot about me.

I have very little to say in defense of my lengthy absence. To be honest, you were probably all wondering if I just decided to move back to Virginia after the last (month's) post. Never fear, I'm still in Ireland (for 16 and a half more days-- woohoo Christmas break! xx). But into my previous boredom flew a million and one assignments, guests, schedule conflicts, and all around crazy things. And thus, my absence. That's all I have to say for myself. Forgive me if you will. I will understand if you can't. But at least let me make it up to you!

I have a bunch of posts and pictures heading your way in the next couple of days, including but not limited to:
1) An American visit (once again, are you sick of these yet? Trust me, this one is awesome...)
2) An Irish Thanksgiving (it exists! At least now that my American housemate and I have done it, it does).
3) A revised bucket list (please don't look back on the old one, it's pathetic how many things on there I haven't accomplished yet.... )
4) Christmas prep and musings (Cork has been decorated since NOVEMBER 1st! We're just catching up now really)
5) And some exciting news!

So stay tuned, if you still care about me/remember me/aren't yet completely offended by me/are bored.

Happy belated Thanksgiving xx