Miranda July’s phone app, Somebody, is a combination of art and social experiment, something that is intriguing and revolutionary and something you should want to be apart of. Unfortunately, this is no longer possible due to the fact that the app has been shut down. However, the legend still lives on through the movies (ad-like) that were produced and can be watched on YouTube, as well as a Tumblr page with stories from past users.
July’s idea behind the app is not to gain fame or money through technology, but to show that phones can be a tool to facilitate human interaction - sometimes.
I would most definitely have participated in the app if I had known it existed when it did. I think it’s crazy and fun and a new idea, and although going up and talking to strangers seems kind of scary, it’s also exciting to know that they understand whatever the message is about and they know the person who is sending it to them. It’s a revolutionary new idea with technology that incorporates old technology (telegrams!).
There are some incredible stories people have shared about their experience with the Somebody App. My favorite was a proposal. This guy had a pretty chill relationship with his girlfriend and decided to propose to her via the Somebody app. The messenger went up to his girlfriend and began reading the message, and actually got down on one knee and asked her to marry him! While I feel this isn’t a very personal proposal, it is very creative and fun and probably represents this couple well, as she loved it and said yes!
Check out an interview with Miranda July, the app’s creator, and why the Somebody App was shut down.
https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-miranda-july-killed-somebody
jimmyeatworldofficial
titsay