The phrase "dance like nobody's watching" might have been memed into meaningless, last seen on the Bebo profile of a girl you sat next to, but never spoke with, in GCSE science, but there remains a powerful sentiment at its core. I was reminded of this when I stumbled across "Library Shuffle" on Facebook. While on first view it may appear to simply be a young man shuffling in Kings College University's Round Room, on repeat watches it becomes clear the video is in fact an expression of freedom. Is this really nothing more than a bored student trying to peak 100 likes on Facebook? Or is it a refusal to be restrained by the shackles of institution? A rallying cry against the chains of academic indoctrination?
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We managed to track the shuffler (called Robbie) down, and he kindly offered to both upload the video to Youtube for us, and to answer some questions about his shapes.Thump: Good moves, how long have you been shuffling?Robbie: Since February this year.Do you shuffle when you go out?
I'm starting to!Is that room normally used for shuffling?
Funnily enough the 'round room' is normally the busiest in the library, it's an incredible room, it was used as the set for Dumbledore's office in Harry Potter! It's also the quietest room in the library as well, there's this unspoken rule (literally) that absolutely no noise is allowed, and you would only venture in there if you were committed to doing some hardcore work.Why did you suddenly decide to shuffle then? Did the moment just seize you?
It was completely spur of the moment, I'd been trying to finish an essay all day and by 4am I was willing to do ANYTHING to put it off.That's why, when I found myself alone in there at 4am, I just had to give that rule the middle finger by putting on the loudest music possible and dancing to it!Badman. What did you do next?
Safe to say, I didn't get much work done after that and found myself wandering around central London until about midday when I collapsed in exhaustion at St. James' park in the sun and grabbed a couple hours of sleep and some sunburn!That sounds quite mad. Why the music choice?
It's an absolute banger!
I'm starting to!Is that room normally used for shuffling?
Funnily enough the 'round room' is normally the busiest in the library, it's an incredible room, it was used as the set for Dumbledore's office in Harry Potter! It's also the quietest room in the library as well, there's this unspoken rule (literally) that absolutely no noise is allowed, and you would only venture in there if you were committed to doing some hardcore work.Why did you suddenly decide to shuffle then? Did the moment just seize you?
It was completely spur of the moment, I'd been trying to finish an essay all day and by 4am I was willing to do ANYTHING to put it off.That's why, when I found myself alone in there at 4am, I just had to give that rule the middle finger by putting on the loudest music possible and dancing to it!Badman. What did you do next?
Safe to say, I didn't get much work done after that and found myself wandering around central London until about midday when I collapsed in exhaustion at St. James' park in the sun and grabbed a couple hours of sleep and some sunburn!That sounds quite mad. Why the music choice?
It's an absolute banger!
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What are you studying? Does shuffling help you with your degree?
I'm an undergraduate studying International Relations at King's College London. Shuffling has not as of yet helped me with my degree, however I'm hoping in future negotiations with terrorists et al this could be a vital tool.Do you have any advice for people who are inspired by your video?
Get absolutely shitfaced with your best mate, put on some sick beats and just dance! You may be shit, but that doesn't matter because you're both shit - but you'll improve! – and you just don't care because every thing's hilarious when you're that drunk! Also wear at least one item of ridiculous clothing.How do you respond to haters who might say this is a misuse of a study environment?
Haters? What haters?Robbie's complete unabashed confidence in his behaviour is refreshing. How amazing to know that while you are in bed, readying for another working day, he is out there somewhere…silently shuffling…in luminous trainers.Follow Angus on Twitter.
I'm an undergraduate studying International Relations at King's College London. Shuffling has not as of yet helped me with my degree, however I'm hoping in future negotiations with terrorists et al this could be a vital tool.Do you have any advice for people who are inspired by your video?
Get absolutely shitfaced with your best mate, put on some sick beats and just dance! You may be shit, but that doesn't matter because you're both shit - but you'll improve! – and you just don't care because every thing's hilarious when you're that drunk! Also wear at least one item of ridiculous clothing.How do you respond to haters who might say this is a misuse of a study environment?
Haters? What haters?Robbie's complete unabashed confidence in his behaviour is refreshing. How amazing to know that while you are in bed, readying for another working day, he is out there somewhere…silently shuffling…in luminous trainers.Follow Angus on Twitter.