On Saturday, thousands of you voted for my pet adoption/ASPCA video in a contest held by YouTube. The video received the largest number of votes, and I was tickled pink to discover it on the front page of YouTube’s US homepage yesterday. So first off, thank you to everyone that voted – you really helped raise awareness on this important issue.
But perhaps most fascinating of all, were the many comments left behind by fellow YouTubers. While a small majority of these comments were sweet and endearing, the vast majority were anything but. I’ve long-since learned to be unfazed by the content of comments – or compliments and criticisms in general – so I was unmoved when reading about my “faggy voice” and “man man boobs.”
As a side-note, my kindhearted friend Dan told me that my voice wasn’t overly flamboyant, and that my chest is great. I reminded Dan that it’s not the point. And, I’m not in denial. I know my voice is very shrill (I’m almost always mistaken for a woman on the phone), but so what? Some people do have high voices. Not everyone has Marky Mark’s chest. And this is okay.
I was more fazed by the pervasiveness of these comments, and the implication that a great number of people are still very much unconscious. As someone who is on a path of awakening, I suppose I tend to surround myself with like-minded people. My friends tend to be relatively conscious, and I suspect you are probably quite conscious – otherwise, most of this blog wouldn’t resonate with you. It’s easy to forget that we may, in fact, still be in the minority.
The challenge for me is in accepting the unconsciousness of others. Not that I am so wonderfully evolved (I’m far from it), but I almost want to wake them up! I want to say, “Look at the energy you are putting out into the world – can’t you see that you are creating a toxic environment for yourself? Can’t you see that you’re contributing to your own suffering?” But I don’t, because I know it is both unhelpful and an act of unconsciousness.
The best way to wake someone else up is to be awake yourself – and to accept where they are at in their journey. This is a great challenge for me. It’s best not to get in the habit of rowing any boat beyond your own, and ultimately it is up to everyone to take their own steps on the path to awakening. We can all do our best to light that path, but we can’t walk it for anyone that doesn’t share our own two feet.
October 28, 2009 at 7:45 am
Your voice, your views, your man-man boob, and all else about you are just “parts”…of you…
the sum of which = the wonderful person you are!
October 28, 2009 at 7:48 am
“Get out of the closet” he said. That guy was funny, had me laughing at his comments. Once you start reading those types of remarks it starts getting really funny with them showing off their IQ’s. You did good DW.
October 28, 2009 at 8:42 am
You are fine. Thanks for all you do. It is appreciated.
October 28, 2009 at 9:28 am
I’d love to ask some of the Davey-haters on YouTube how come they were so immediately interested in his pecs. If they are so straight, and assuming most of them were guys, how come their eyes went straight to his torso, instead of to his message or to his dog? Hmmm? I bet this question would make them squirm. Like Sen. Larry Craig, the toe-tapping champion of airports, the worst homophobes are usually closet gays. I would pity them if they weren’t being so toxic to all of us.
October 28, 2009 at 11:44 am
contrary to popular belief-men str8 or gay-openly or covertly worship the human body.go google Denis Sergovskiy or Josh Bergeron-youll see what i mean.
October 28, 2009 at 9:34 am
You’re doing so much great…!! Dun have to care about those stupids idiot brainless ppl’s comments.. Well..There always still lot n lo ppl who love n support you..! Cheers..!! Davey…. =D
October 28, 2009 at 9:34 am
You’re doing so much great…!! Dun have to care about those stupids idiot brainless ppl’s comments.. Well..There always still lot n lo ppl who love n support you..! Cheers..!! Davey…. =D
October 28, 2009 at 9:48 am
Congrats, Davey!
You are a true inspiration.
October 28, 2009 at 11:32 am
Hey DUde, when I first heard your voice a year ago, I thought it was a bit odd. But now it doesn’t seem odd at all — very pleasant in fact. Probably because I associate it with the great things you say and write. Use your position of getting people to listen to you now, as it doesn’t last forever. I used to take for granted that people were interested in me. Well, it seems like over night I went from 33 to 44 and people just aren’t “automatically” interested anymore— HA ! (No bitterness at all– I just have to get used to the new reality).
And I guess I’m just not as mature or “enlightened as you, Dave. Because I WILL be saying this to certain people:
“”Look at the energy you are putting out into the world – can’t you see that you are creating a toxic environment for yourself? Can’t you see that you’re contributing to your own suffering?””
October 28, 2009 at 11:35 am
i just dont get the hate in cyberspace.the net is a place of thought.i guess if one is young-in shape-articulate-somehow-to some thats a bad thing.one thing is quite clearly evident here over time-most blog buddies can actually spell and construct a sentence.to those who make English there second language-even they make an attempt at clarity.as for your voice-DW-i wouldnt change a thing.i think haters out there are mostly jealous.
October 28, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Hello , I think you have a perfect body . When I was in art school we never had a male life drawing model that looked as great as you do .
Some times people complain about things because they know that THEY will never have them for themselves. I think we are ;looking at envy about your chest and just rudeness about your voice .
If you wanted to change your voice you could but what would you gain ? I fund your voice rather up beat and ,”bright ,” . These people should read what you have to say , content is the real message not vocal pitch .
“What you do speaks to loudly I can not hear what you say ,” You are doing great everyday .
thank you , Don
October 28, 2009 at 1:57 pm
“Leave me Radiant Light” (from Semele) ….. but then again the MOON may be out soon.
Hope so.
October 28, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Hey Davie, you, your voice, your pecs, and your dog – all rock!
October 28, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Sucks how some people can ruin a positive message like the video you made with their negative comments. You did a wonderful thing for a great cause. You are a very passionate person, otherwise the comments wouldn’t have offended you. I don’t think your voice is flamboyant either. I did hear mine on the answering machine the other day and was surprised by how “gay” I sounded. We can’t let the negative comments cancel out all of the positive ones. There will always be those people out there and we have certainly come a long way. Chin up!
October 28, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Davy don’t feel bad about the stupid comments so people make, I too have the same trouble with my voice sounding like a woman on the phone and pals and others always made jokes of my man boobs! You are perfect from where I see, so hang in there! A fan from Southwest Florida!
October 28, 2009 at 6:55 pm
I have to say i’m shocked to hear that these comments were made. I guess I could understand the voice comments, although personally i’ve never thought that about your voice. But the chest?! I think your chest is perfection…..i’m amazed people would say anything….simply because it’s your work of art, by being fit….don’t feel bad, i’m sure the majority of the negative comments are made from jealous minded people….sad or them, not you.
October 28, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Some people are just so self-centered these days, why I am not sure yet, I am still trying to figure that out. Like everyone else has said, most are jealous of your now fabulous fan base, and I am thinking everyone kind of wants to be their own most famous star. I’d hate to judge such a wonderful person on how their voice sounds or how beautiful their body is ( through years of work and motivation ), when really inside all you want to truly do is just be someones friend ! We aren’t out to please the world and everyone in it, and you know that, you write the book on most of it . I put it this way. If they don’t like you for you, it’s their loss, they could be missing out on the best person they may have ever met ! I know ONE thing is for sure, with someone putting forward THIS much commitment into projects such as these with ASPCA, and everything else, i’d say someone CARES.
October 29, 2009 at 12:58 am
True words. The challenge in itself is to accept ppl and respect their journey, however it might frustrate you.
True self-esteem: Immune to criticism and flattery. Beneath no one, superior to none. (Deepak Chopra)
October 29, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Davey, your voice is not “faggy” – you are just enthusiastic! And anyone who things you have moobs (man boobs) is just looking for something to criticize. Because you are not cynical, cruel, cranky or critical (working the “c” words!) some people who are these things will always give you crap. Please don’t change-we need sweet kind people in the world.
PS-the pic caused my old heart to act up-I almost thought we were going to see little Davey!
October 29, 2009 at 9:41 pm
It is really very sad that you attempted to do a good thing and idiots strike out due to their own insecurities or issues they are dealing with themselves. You were completely wonderful in your presentation and message. I was beyond shocked and saddened by some of the moronic comments people made. Pay them no mind it was good, and I enjoyed it. My dog sends word of encouragement as well.
November 1, 2009 at 2:59 am
http://graphjam.com/2009/10/30/song-chart-memes-comments-youtube
November 1, 2009 at 3:42 am
Hey Davey,
I was reading this blog and the concepts that you put forth in this one in specific of all parts is what to ME is Christianity. I hate referencing religion to people who so honestly share that that is not apart of their life. Tonight Clarissa and were actually having a really a convesation on those similiar concepts. She is a very strong Christian and tells me that with that perspective I will be rewarded in the end. I also consider myself a really stong Christian but to me the topics you impress in this blog come naturally to me and I always feel like humbled when she says I will be blessed in the long run because I feel especially with the world the way it is now and our realities that there is no other way than to show non-judgement on all levels with out that we kind of loose our humanity. I just feel that in this world the way it is there is no other choice then to respond to the world in this way. If we truly want to improve the state of things that are here now.
Kenneth R. Livingston
P.S. Sorry I rambled again!
November 2, 2009 at 12:40 am
What amazes me is the way the YouTube community has changed. As far as I remember, it didn’t used to be so hateful. It seems now that any video posted without successfully being humorous gets bad vibes.
PS. Congrats! But can you post a link to your video? I can’t find it.
November 2, 2009 at 2:04 am
You are a great guy for trying to make this world a bit better and a more accepting, tolerant place. The stupidity of some people is shocking and saddening. Keep up the good work man. I think you’re great.
November 7, 2009 at 12:20 pm
You have the power to make the difference in the world, and you did it. Those people that try to make you look bad with their negativity are not in the possition you are. They were not choosen to be a spokeperson for the SPCA you were. Do you see the difference???
Don’t let no one rain on your parade.
Believe & Smile… Siempre Sonrie!!!
December 22, 2010 at 7:50 am
Some people are just too damn narrow minded… and don’t worry, I still get asked “Am I speaking to Mrs. Caldwell?” Its more like a private joke now, “*laughs* No its Ben her son”… I just don’t let it get me down, my cloak of invisibility works just like yours!
December 22, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Yeah, i have no idea why this hating goes on. But haters are just insecure people and unhappy with their lives so they make other people’s lives a target. Anyway, you’ve got a great chest, looks and so what if you’ve got a shrill voice? Many guys do and no one’s perfect. Besides, the way you speak is very endearing ^_^ Keep up the good work with the videos!
January 27, 2011 at 2:30 am
Your beautiful pecs are what drew me to click on your first video that I saw. And your wonderfully unique and happy voice and attitude is what has kept me coming back.