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The Subway Where I Used To Go (Somebody That I Used To Know / Gotye Parody)

2012-05-25 · Hank · watch on YouTube · Internet & YouTube · reflection essay

After a parody song breaking up with Subway for Jimmy John's, Hank argues that the affluent eyeball is a hugely valuable commodity; he dislikes ads but says a free internet leaves them the only model, and invites talk of alternatives.

What is said

00:00:00 — Greeting; Hank thanks John for Monday's discussion of advertisements, then 'something completely different'

  • ★ In the description Hank thanks a private person (DeFranco) for shouting the channel out and welcomes 'the DeFranco nation'; Michael Aranda shot and edited the music video. — 00:00:00 · Michael Aranda

00:00:08 — Parody song of Gotye's 'Somebody That I Used to Know': Hank leaves Subway for Jimmy John's delivery

  • ★★ In a parody song Hank 'breaks up' with Subway (kind sandwich artists, crumbling bread) for Jimmy John's, whose delivery is frighteningly fast and website stores his favourites. (playful) — 00:00:11

00:01:49 — Not an ad; the affluent eyeball as a commodity; Hank dislikes ads but free internet makes them the only model; let's talk about alternatives

  • ★★ Hank says the song was not an advertisement: Jimmy John's paid him nothing, he just saw a picture on Tumblr; though 'that thing over there' is an ad. — 00:01:49 · Tumblr
  • ★★★ Hank argues the affluent eyeball (anyone with internet fast enough for YouTube counts as affluent) is one of Earth's most valuable commodities, so valuable that services are given free for it. — 00:02:02 · YouTube > «the affluent eyeball»
  • ★★★ Hank says he doesn't like advertisements: he has seen too many Geico commercials that say nothing to believe ads aren't wheedling around in his brain, making him do things unknowingly. — 00:02:21 · online advertising
  • ★★★ Hank argues the internet is built on the idea that content should be free, which leaves advertising as the only model: a free YouTube that keeps its staff means looking at ads. — 00:02:33 · online advertising, YouTube
  • ★★ Hank says YouTube employs thousands of people. — 00:02:39 · YouTube
  • ★★★ Hank invites a conversation: if people want YouTube neither ad-supported nor free, or know a way to run an online company without auctioning users' psyches and habits, let's talk. — 00:02:45 · online advertising, YouTube

00:03:04 — Sign-off; Hank bought three subs for the shoot; outtake of Hank eating something hot

  • ★ Hank bought three subs for the music video because filming in the shops without buying felt weird, so now he has three submarine sandwiches. — 00:03:05

Humor (significant)

  • Explaining why he left Subway, the song nods to Jimmy John's 'freaky fast' delivery boast. — 00:00:52 > «So when I found that their delivery was so fast it almost frightened me»
  • Admitting Jimmy John's doesn't toast its subs, Hank shrugs off toasting by naming a rival chain. — 00:01:20 > «but if I wanted toasted then I'd go to Quizno's.»
  • The song's chorus lands on Jimmy John's lettuce-wrapped 'unwich' and the Gotye hook. — 00:01:27 > «I prefer an un-wich though, so now you're just a Subway where I used to go.»
  • Hank imagines commenters asking how much Jimmy John's paid him for the video. — 00:01:49 > «and the answer is "No", no dollars at all were exchanged»

Threads in this video

Replies to

  • You ARE The Product — «Thank you for your thoughtful and intelligent discussion of advertisements on Monday.»

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