Brandon Stanton's Blog, page 422

So a couple of nights ago, my girlfriend threw me a sort of...

So a couple of nights ago, my girlfriend threw me a sort of early surprise birthday party for my 30th. (And by party, I mean 10 people, some cheese, and some crackers— my kind of scene.) Anyway, at one point, everyone gathered in the living room, and my young friend Miles got up to make a speech. “I made a short film about someone who’s really inspired me these past two years,” he said. I immediately started to blush. “This is going to make me cry,” I said. Then he turned on the television, and this happened: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeodxF1gPro

"Before the chemo, I had this long, beautiful hair that everyone...

"Before the chemo, I had this long, beautiful hair that everyone was always commenting on. But when we first met, he walked up to me and said: ‘Has anyone ever told you that you have the most beautiful smile?’"

"A coworker asked for my number the other day. My friends...

"A coworker asked for my number the other day. My friends overheard and said: ‘He must have a thing for Indians.’ I was like, ‘Or maybe I’m just really fucking cool.’"

"Do you mind if I take your photograph? I run a popular website...

"Do you mind if I take your photograph? I run a popular website called…"
"I don’t give a damn!"

"If you could give one piece of advice to other kids, what would...

"If you could give one piece of advice to other kids, what would it be?"
"God is real and he can do miracles."

"I’m taking a puddlegram."

"I’m taking a puddlegram."

"The army stationed me down South when I was younger, and I...

"The army stationed me down South when I was younger, and I couldn’t even use the same bathroom as white people. But things have changed so much. The younger generation isn’t nearly as racist. I’ve been sitting here for fifty years. So much has changed. This neighborhood used to be all black. A white person couldn’t even walk down this street. All the races kept to themselves. Now you’ve got Indians talking to Pakistanis, blacks talking to whites, everybody is here and learning from each other’s cultures. I’ve been sitting here for 50 years. Things are getting better."

"My happiest moments probably involve anything that invokes...

"My happiest moments probably involve anything that invokes childhood." 
"Can you give me an example?"
"My cab driver and I missed a turn yesterday because we were swapping pictures of our cats."

"I’ve climbed over 100 mountains. For some reason, I just...

"I’ve climbed over 100 mountains. For some reason, I just like to get on top of things."
"Why do you think that is?"
"I think it’s because climbing forces me to rely on myself. In the city, anything I need is a phone call away. When I’m climbing, I’ve got to figure it out on my own."

"With all the good it’s brought, technology is destroying...

"With all the good it’s brought, technology is destroying our communication skills— especially the ability to listen. The older generation can still listen, but many of the youngsters can’t even look you in the eye while you speak. If they aren’t looking at their mobiles, they’re looking over your shoulder or glancing around the room."
"Why is verbal communication more important than communication through a device?"
"Because there’s only so much you can learn from your Facebook friends."