Living Life as the World Burns
In such uncertain and hopeless times, it’s natural to wonder what we could, or should do about it. We only get one life, so is it wrong to think about yourself during what feels like the end of the world? Or, are we just justifying an inherently selfish nature? That’s what this video essay will discuss.
The anime Dead Dead Demons Dededede Destruction (DDDD) follows Ouran and Kadode, long time friends dealing with uncertain and historical times; is the world ending? With an alien mothership hovering above Tokyo and invaders about, it seems likely that end times are near. And yet, Ouran and Kadode don’t join in protests and analyze the invader situation like Futaba, but rather focus on their own lives, themselves over the world. As the news plays in the background, they discuss new games or crushes. From this contradiction, Dead Dead Demons Dededede Destruction explains an important question: Is it selfish to take care of yourself, especially as the world is coming to an end? Should we simply be living our same old, average, mundane lives as the world burns around us? Could they even do anything about the state of the world, with a massive alien mothership overhead? From these character relationships, DDDD explores what it means to live through historical times, if humans are selfish by nature, and what divides us so much about these important issues. And the anime explains an interesting conclusion (at least as this video essay analysis sees it); everything is inherently personal. Leaning into this selfishness, putting yourself first, is where selflessness comes from.
0:00 Introduction
4:25 Part 1
19:38 Part 2
27:00 Part 3
40:39 Part 4
53:18 Part 5
#anime #dededede #dddd #videoessay
27 Comments
thank you for making this video, and thank you for sharing a peice of yourself. i'm young, and scared, but with many of your videos, you've helped me find hope and understanding in a world that often times doesn't allow either. i may not register all of your words and their complexities, but i can feel the heart, and i can feel the tone in my chest. i don't know if this is weird or not to say, but you've helped me feel brave enough, at least for now, to say it anyway. i will never know all of you, or even most of you, but it means everything to me to see glimses and to know i'm not alone. part of me wishes that i had some kind of wise words to say, something to comfort you, or to provide something in return for the emotions you have made me feel. but, all i know i can say, is that i see you. just a little. forgive me if i phrased things a bit dramatically, i'm in that kind of mood right now, i guess. i hope that at least part of this reaches you, and please forgive me if i unintentionally said something weird. i hope you have a good day.
I am one of those folks who is completely unsurprised, and also proud and happy for you. Keep 'em coming!
As I listened, I thought about what I would tell someone about why I had a kid. That's a whole new person in the world. As they grow, you get to see the wonder of discovery on their face, and as a parent you get to discover who they grow into. Sometimes it's such a surprise – the kind little kid I spent 17 years with thinking was a boy turned out to be a girl after all. And she's beautiful.
Welcome to the world, Miss Professor. There's a big community out here to support you.
Several of the biggest losses in my life all aligned with the week Trump was elected and you truly captured the exact feelings I (and clearly others) are swimming in as well. So glad you keep posting Viral, you help me feel less alone in these feelings and experiences.
this channel might be one of the better philosophical/poetry channels ive seen
"I am a trans as hell woman–or at least I hope to be one day" well congrats, girl, because mission accomplished!! for real, all the kudos to you for speaking your truth, especially when that's becoming less and less safe to do these days, and even if it wasn't your intention I know hearing you share your experiences is gonna inspire a whole lot of people to explore their identity and live their truth whatever that means to them. plus, I know I, for one, am hella excited to meet (in that parasocial internet way, granted) the woman you will become/already are/maybe always were even if the specific words weren't there yet
edit: oh, btw, what pronouns do you use, if you don't mind my asking? I don't think you've said so I wanna make sure I actually use the right ones
I have watched a number of your videos and I made it that far in this video and you being just that but happier changes nothing about the quality content you make.
I wish you a bright and successful future, and look forward to the next video.
blud thinks we finna hate cuz of who they wanna become💀💀💀💀💀 no but like if fr someone has been watching you for a long time and just decides to stop because of what YOU wanna do with YOURSELF? they can go and they will not be missed lol. Can’t wait for more content. Keep up the good work! Ur awesome! 🙂
Fantastic video! And congrats! 🏳⚧♥
The word family hurts. Desperately. I have to understand that the family I was promised will never exist. I have to come to terms with the fact that when others hear the word family, they probably think of safety, care, loyalty… or… just anything other than the betrayal that I felt.
I have since found amazing people. I refuse to call them family. Such a painful word. They are better. So much better that i honestly need a word which is unstained.
Unrelated to that, injections; I'm getting used to them too. I messed up a few different ways, but the cleanest ones tend to be deep enough into the muscle (usually in my thigh) and i pull the skin of the injection site a bit to the side. It makes it so that when the needle is removed, the holes become staggered. Preventing bleeding.
I've been watching your videos for a little over a year now, and I really enjoy the personal anecdotes you put at the end of most of your videos. I always figured that the footage is of Pittsburgh because of the bridges, and I'm not terribly familiar with the city, but that Ritter's Diner in this one finally gave me definitive confirmation.
As for the coming out announcement, I'm less supportive than other commenters here. I'm indifferent about it overall, but I can't bring myself to unquestioningly support someone for coming out as trans. They say hate is a learned behavior, and I've unfortunately learned over the years and personal interactions to treat trans people with suspicion and doubt. I sincerely hope that doesn't happen with you and your content. You're easily one of my favorite video essayists. I suppose we'll see how things progress and if they change.
Your videos are always a delight to this mind that loves to overthink but also struggles to put those big thoughts into words – and this one is certainly no exception. I remember that the first time I saw you pop up in one of your videos, my immediate thought was that you looked very similar to a friend that I met pre-transition in college – and if she's anything to go by, you'll be a real cutie! Congrats and good luck on your journey! <3
You have brought me to tears on more then one occasion now for I deeply and violently understood the feelings you've put into word hear and in other videos. All I will say is as someone who also came to terms with those feelings. Last month was my 1st year and Im overwhelming happy to see you start that journey.
@ProfessorViral idk if this is rude of me to ask or not, but could you give your videos names and/or titles? I like watching your videos 85% of the time but like, I just need something, ANYTHING i can use to determine the videos topic before investing several minutes of watching just to figure out if i even understand what your talking about. I may not be the only person whos missed out on content they would of liked and enjoyed just due to the fact it was impossible to tell the video was about that
Damn I really was wondering this question but I don't want to spoil more shows for myself
You are a beautiful human, and your courage is inspiring.
Congratulations!
Was busy… but now I can enjoy this masterpiece 😈✨️🔥
I hope this video essays grows to be irrelevant, for the sake of the world
I love your videos and insights, they help be figure out who i want to be and how i can make those choices to be become more of myself. Your amazing, and part of my insperation thank you
You are a brilliant woman. Thank you for these videos. From one trans person to another, that was a healing moment in this dark year. Thank you so much.
I think its important to remember that no one can bear the weight of the world on only their shoulders, and just remembering that can give us a breather from a lot of the strife we see in this world. I like to think we're allowed to live our lives as our selfish selves, but that doesn't necessarily have to mean anything negative. When I refer to being selfish, I mean to refer to the fact that we each our own selves living this life. It is my genuine opinion that true kindness comes from a selfish place, and before we can tackle understanding the rest of the world better, we should first come to better understand ourselves and hopefully accept ourselves. After all, we see the world only through our own eyes, our own perspectives, but that doesn't mean we don't have the ability to attempt understanding from a different perspective. These things can be difficult and at least for me has taken long amounts of thinking and reflecting to come to this point, but through all that contemplation I think I've felt better about life over time. Great video!
I first found your channel through your Princess Jellyfish video so. As a to-the-bone Haruhi Fujioka, I felt some big feels about that one, and I'm happy to see you feeling free to be so open about where youre at.
Your videos have always been so thought provoking, insightful, and introspective. I've always felt if there were anything for you to discover about yourself, whether or not you chose to share it publically, that you would always find the fulfilled you, someway somehow. The you who is still insightful and introspective, but maybe just slightly more at peace with yourself and the life you are creating for yourself. ❤
I dont even have the words to express just how great this one was and how much thought and conversation it has inspired. Showed it to my husband as well, as you touch on so many real world topics and really relevant feelings we've talked about recently. We ask so many of these questions and seeing them from this relatable but still new angle is. Idk Affirming? Comforting?
Congrats on becoming yourself! I've been watching your videos for a while now, and it is definitely no surprise. I am 2.5yrs on hrt currently, and it has been so worth it. Even in this time and climate, being able to be your authentic self is so worth it. Thank you for all the videos, and I wish you the best on your journey!
🖤 great vid as always, and congratulations
I want to have deeper relationships, and I want to have deep conversations with my friends, but I struggle to do so. Others don't seem to want to engage with me, and my insecurities amp up to 11 whenever that happens. "If they don't want to talk to me, Should I even try to go deeper? Is it even worth the hassle? What's the point of trying if I'm gonna fail 7 times out of 10? Why do I even go to such lengths to try and deeply understand them when all they seem to want to is to have mindless fun? What am I to them, if anything?" I know it's not just their fault. Of course I've done something that makes them unwilling. Or maybe that's just how they want to be. It will ne hypocritical to accuse them of ignorance when I know I do it to myself. As a 21 years old uni student stuck in a third world country with a failing economy and no way to transition without losing my life (both metaphorical and literal), I spend most of my days terrified of what the future may hold and to see how abysmally POWERLESS I am… Fucking hell. I don't even know how to put the rest of my thought into words.
My teachers, my parents, and my childhood friends always used to tell how smart and special I am (classic case of ADHD). I've come to peace with the fact that I'm not special, and all I am here for is to just live my life. But, I don't know how I can do that, if I don't figure out what I mean to myself.
I think I need to call one of my friends and check in on him.
I love DDDD 😬 one of my favorite anime from last year for sure.