Ouch!
That's a little harsh, Kamani. For me initially it was just a chance to see a video of my place and of my people having fun with a silly song. Secondarily, it was a reminder of how quickly a pop culture song from the U.S. can penetrate even into very small, distant areas.
In this particular international incarnation of this song, I think there
was a marketing aspect in terms of tourism, but is that so bad? As Le Brok said, "They are selling their beautiful place to potential tourists, happiness is just a tool, to move people with positive emotions, to attract visitors."
However, the internet is full of people making silly videos using this song. Some are just students having fun with it, while others are connected to this: the U.N. International Day of Happiness. See:
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/l...International-Day-of-Happiness-251186571.html
I think it's all very harmless. More, I'd say anything that lifts people's spirits for even a little while is a good thing.
Another thing that occurred to me is that videos like this are a fun way to get a peek into another place and its diverse people...sort of like tourism on a budget.
Now I'm going to torture you all with some more...although of course you don't
have to look.
Once my cousin sent me the LaSpezia one, I looked for a Tuscan one, as I'm part quasi Tuscan, and found this one for Siena that I liked a lot.
<em>
This one from New York is a hoot! I
dare you to watch the Orthodox Jew and the buttoned up Wall Street type doing it and not smile.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Lz6SF3s0h0