Charles CastleberryJun 4

I’m not sure I’d ever heard The Carpenter’s version of this song, and it’s fascinating how much better I like the Kermit version. The Carpenter’s version is super ethereal. Kermit’s sounds more real to me, more grounded, a faith that things will go well in spite of the pains that he knows from experience often come with reality.

How strange that a felt puppet feels more real to me than people. But of course, that’s Jim Henson in there that I’m connecting with. ❤️

https://bitbang.social/@NanoRaptor/116689623784372967

Nanoraptor (@[email protected])

Which is the better version of Rainbow Connection - Kermit's or Carpenters'? Carpenters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYuE2roIkH0 Kermit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS3Lkc6Gzlk [ ] Kermit [ ] Carpenters

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Andrew OrtweinJun 7
Show threadCharles Castleberry

It occurs to me that Muppets are the anti-AI.

AI personas look real, but have no soul. And, despite being made of complex technology, they generate uncanny valley reactions, when they’re visual and not just chatbots.

Whereas Muppets look fake, but they have all the soul. They’re made of simple materials, animated just by human hands, and are immediately attractive. They’re people you want to know, despite never forgetting they’re artifice.

Henson & Co ftw. ❤️

Jun 4 at 11:30amIvory for iOS
Show threadDave FischerJun 4

@MythingPerson

The fact that they stay in character bumps them up a notch. Muppets stay in character backstage, between takes. Amazing.

Show threadAdmiral MemoJun 8
@davefischer @MythingPerson "I only had 3 lines!" https://youtu.be/URgOttlcLLo
Elmo and Robin Williams (blooper reel)

YouTube
Show threadAdmiral MemoJun 8
@davefischer @MythingPerson Heck, John Oliver and Cookie Monster outtakes are THE BEST. https://youtu.be/H916EVndP_A
John Oliver & Cookie Monster Out-Takes

YouTube
Show threadPaul SomeoneElseJun 5
I sorta fixate on a few sayings and "the artist embraces the
constraints of their medium" is one of them. It sure does
apply to the muppets! I can tear up watching a hand in a sock :P
And I don't feel weird at all about it. Art speaks to
something in us. Maybe it's something we can't pin down,
but AI does not speak to that part of us.


Show threadIndieterminacyJun 7
@pkw I always have a soft spot for the spoof trailer for the Wickerman staring the Muppets.
https://redirect.invidious.io/watch?v=tH1VdD-nAc0
Despite being 15 years old Its held up well as an artistic repurposing.
It would take an awful lot of tokens for a machine to stumble on it being better done.
@MythingPerson
Select instance - Invidious

Show threadëRiCJun 5
@MythingPerson 🥳 https://ohai.social/@GIFS_of_Puppets/116663484537512267
Muppet GIF of the Day (@[email protected])

Attached: 1 image Today's #Muppets GIF of the Day is...

ohai.social
Show threadThe Witch of Crow BriarJun 5
@MythingPerson im not crying your crying
Show threadDamien (TIG BUSINESS)Jun 5
@MythingPerson tagging @swearyanthony on this :)
Show threadNetzblockiererJun 5

@MythingPerson nodds in agreement

Also said Muppets and espechally the "Sesame Street" ones actually do convey some valuable messages.

  • They may be artifical and obviously not human, but they are way more relateable on an emotional and factual level.
    • Maybe it's because they ain't beibg sold as new omnipotent beings we must pray towards or get killed by once they achieve said omnipotence…
Show threadWendiGoose 🇺🇦Jun 5
@MythingPerson ♥️
Show threadD2Jun 5
@MythingPerson excellent point. But we repeatedly (even conversing 1:1) forget they’re artifice.
Show threadanyGouldJun 5
@MythingPerson The only thing the Hensons ever did wrong was sell to Disney. (And the fact that he refused to sell the CTW side means in his heart he knew it was a bad idea.)
Show threadMichael GemarJun 7
@MythingPerson @john Sure, but do you have any idea how much water and electricity Muppets use?
Show threadStarkRGJun 7

@MythingPerson I've heard that people interacting with them in person almost immediately fall into interacting with the puppet as a person rather than interacting in character with the person doing the puppeting. Like, you can see them lying there and holding the sticks or whatever and speaking the words, but your brain just ignores that and says, yeah, that bunch of felt is a real person.

I think my favourite muppets are the ones designed after their puppeteers: https://youtu.be/XlAAzbLk8Ns

Muppet Songs: Country Trio - In the Summertime

YouTube
Show threadmaxotafJun 8
@MythingPerson