the power of silly
a YouTube Short research on a century-old meme 👰♀️🔪
YT short of the week #010
Hello friend 👋
I love when creators approach silly things seriously.
Life is a parade of silly things begging for questions:
Why do people drink cow's milk?
Why do we dance only at parties?
Why do we stop drawing for fun?
But we need to keep it together for the LinkedIns. I get that.
That's why I appreciate the ones exploring what others dismiss as unworthy.
Future meme archeologists will be thankful for "The Hesitant Fiancee explained in 60 seconds" - because VOX did them a solid.
Have a look.
7.6M views // 710K likes // 2.6K comments
51 seconds // 152 words
“The Hesitant Fiancee" recipe is:
headline
when
who
where
why
how
what
closing words
1. Headline. If Female Rage Was One Picture...
"if female rage was a painting, it might look like this"
Imagine yourself selling newspapers in the street.
But instead of the street, you're promoting “La Gazeta de lo Silly” in the vacuum of the internet, floating adrift, where a billion other sellers scream for attention in unison.
What will make you stand out?
You guessed it: A good headline.
Female rage? Yessir. Tell me more.
2. When.
"this French painting from 1866 is called the hesitant fiance"
When sets the stage. We are products of our time.
That's why the painting is called "The Hesitant Fiancee" instead of "My death-staring BAE got me simping, bru".
3. Who.
"it was painted by this guy: Auguste Toulmouche. Who was known for his paintings of fashionable and emotionally expressive French women"
Be rigorous with the facts, even when covering the sillies.
The who will give your story weight and credibility.
Who created the yo-yo?
Who discovered black holes?
Who shot the sheriff?
4. Where.
"he was part of a group of French artists who sought to depict candid visions of everyday life called realism"
The where can be beyond physical locations.
Punk Rock, parkour, telenovelas, scientology.
As the song goes: “home is wherever I'm with you”
5. Why.
"which emerged in France after the French Revolution artists had different takes on the art style"
That's the power of a good meme. We started with an upset fiancée, and now we're delving into the art vibes of post-revolutionary France.
You gotta love the internet ❤️
Exploring the "why" will make your audience smarter. And they'll thank you for the enlightenment 😌
6. How.
"which is why some French paintings depict the humble working class and the hesitant fiance looks like this"
You don't have show without how.
So this is how "The Hesitant Fiancée" looks.
If this was Mexican wrestling, the "WHY" has done its best to finish the opponent, but "WHY" is out of tricks, and its opponent: “la pinche ignorancia” is having a dangerous comeback.
That is until "HOW” flies into the ring, hi-fives "WHY” in slo-mo, and smashes a chair on the back of “la pinche ignorancia”. Who crumbles and sizzles in pain on the Mexican ring.
It's a team effort, you know.
Viva la questions 🇲🇽
7. What
"in this painting, August depicts a bride's overtly reluctant feelings towards her arranged marriage her hands are held by two women who appear to be trying to comfort or persuade her, one kissing her forehead and the other kneeling by her side"
After the headline, the when, the who, the where, the why, and the how.
They are ready for THE WHAT.
Open the cosmic floodgates of wisdom and bathe your audience with thy knowledge.
They've been waiting for it.
In other words, what makes the piece special?
8. Closing words.
"but really it's her expression that has made her a meme 157 years later."
The nut of the painting's modern appeal - a doomed bride with a meme-worthy expression.
Embrace the silly. It's a powerful tool.
One could argue that the viral response to 'The Hesitant Fiancee' reflects the ongoing conversation around women's autonomy over their bodies.
Or not.
Mayhaps.
Time will tell.
See you next week 🫶
Matias Ruiz-Tagle
Founder of Atomic Stories