video recs: brand activism, parrots, Experts Guess [$], hurdy-gurdy history

[cimorene]

WOKE BRANDS by hbomberguy on Youtube

"Can a product be truly progressive? How can I free my skin? Let's discuss!" A video that doesn't say anything new if you've heard that Corporations Aren't Your Friends before, but it's an entertaining and clear explication of 'brand activism'. And wow, I didn't know quite HOW MUCH money Nike made by pissing off conservatives. I guess I have to admire the hustle.

Mikey The Macaw || London Tourist (Official Music Video) - YouTube

"London Tourist is the 2nd Parrot Music Video starring Mikey The Macaw." (It's catchier than the other one, though. I keep singing it more than a month after first listen...)

Marlene Mc'Cohen - TOP 5 My Parrot Vinny Talks with subtitles (Talking Bird Compilation) - YouTube

This galah cockatoo, Vinny, is without a doubt the weirdest and most hilarious talking parrot I have yet learned of during my time in parrot fandom. These subtitled clips give an idea of his manner, which is weirdly like he was raised on The Sopranos and The Godfather???; his quirks, such as being ready to throw down about cardboard boxes; the surprising degree to which he understands what you're talking about; and his hilarious, croaky little cockatoo voice.

Epicurious's Price Points series on YouTube

This now 20-strong series started with "Cheese Expert Guesses Cheap vs Expensive Cheeses" and "Meat Expert Guesses Cheap vs Expensive Deli Meats" and has included hits like coffee, pickles, ice cream, hot sauce, beer, vinegar, and most recently whiskey. But it really doesn't matter whether I'm familiar with the thing they're talking about or even interested in it; it's always fun and fascinating to watch an expert explain their speciality to you with real excitement. I was thinking it would be great to have a fandom parody of these, like "Doujinshi expert guesses cheap vs expensive doujinshi" and "High School AU Expert guesses cheap vs expensive high school AU" (although in that case I'm not really sure what 'expensive' would be code for... popular? old? long?)

The Hurdy Gurdy | Down the Rabbit Hole - YouTube

All the history of the hurdy-gurdy that I never knew and never knew I wanted to know. For a brief time in there I was seriously thinking about how likely it is that I can arrange to touch one in person. (I have heard one in person, but it was on a stage mixed with a lot of other instruments at the time and I didn't really realize quite how strange it was.) Also I can't help feeling like my grandmother's medieval folk music ensemble was a bunch of posers for not including one.

Comments

[hebethen]

Hurdy-gurdies are really fascinating! I wish it weren't the case that you could only get them custom from super specialized instrument makers -- I too would love to fiddle a bit with one and try to make it do things.

[cimorene]

Yes, I did notice that. There's a college of music and a medieval cathedral and the Sibelius museum in town, so there may well be somewhere I can go to SEE a hurdy-gurdy, but they aren't likely to just let anybody try to touch them (nor are there hobbyists hiding behind every corner who might let you have a go like with a guitar or fiddle).