I was recently watching a video on YouTube last night that has sparked some interesting questions and responses from people, and I had to write about it because I find it interesting and I hope you will as well. The film centers around a single, yet startling question, “Are you anybody’s favorite person?”

If you have trouble viewing the video click here



     The film, based of off a Miranda July story, contains subtle satire, that shows that our point of view has a lot to do with how we acknowledge ourselves and how we think people acknowledge us. The woman for example was certain that she was her ex-girlfriend’s favorite person, which seems ironic and contradictory. Why would she be the favorite person of an ex-friend? However, when asked how sure she was of the question, she lost confidence, and seemed to grow closer to the actual truth.

     When the guy jogging was asked the same question, he gave the entirely opposite response, even though he had a girlfriend, and was considerate enough to get an orange for her as well. Why wouldn’t he think he could be his girlfriend’s favorite person? It seems that both of these people answered the question based not on the truth of the answer, but on how they saw themselves through other people’s eyes.

     The third man, who didn’t want to be involved in the survey hits the core of why this question can be so difficult to answer, saddening to think about, and pertinent to so many people. This man immediately refused taking the survey, without understanding what it was about, and seemed annoyed at being asked. He is the perfect example of the disconnectedness that currently exists in modern society.

     It is this disconnectedness among people created by technology, social views, and egocentricity that has made a question like, “Are you anybody’s favorite person?” alien to people.


     Some would argue that technology has increased our connectedness, and in certain ways it has, but it has limited our person-to-person interactions, and in this fashion, has separated people. More and more often we talk to people through devices like phones and computers, shut out the outside world with an iPod, while at the same time removing our personal interaction, and non-verbal communication which encompasses over 90% of human communication.

     Other than the growing separation of people from each other, I think the other major issue with the question is that it’s hard to define what a favorite person is. What makes a person worth being a favorite? What qualities make this person special above all others? Do you possess any of these qualities?

     It’s hard to find the answers to these questions when they’re such personal and subjective questions. Different people may have very different answers, based on what they would determine a favorite person to be. I personally, don’t have a favorite person in my life, but there are people I like more than others, and the reason I like them has a lot to do with the quality of their character.

     A person having a high quality character in my opinion is someone who is genuine, honest, trustworthy, understanding, caring, motivated, positive, helpful, compassionate, giving, and probably several other characteristics I am forgetting to mention. I like these people because I admire them. I respect them, look up to them as a person, and want to be like them. They are role models, heroes, and all around good citizens.

     I think most people would agree with me that their favorite person, or imagined favorite person would be someone whom they admired greatly, and looked up to as a role model.

     I’m not sure if I’m anybody’s favorite person out there, and I doubt that I am, but I know that if someone did think of me in such high regard, that I would be truly honored for their consideration. You must be doing something right if someone out there thinks that about you, and you know that you’re truly appreciated.

So, are you anybody’s favorite person? Who’s you’re favorite person? Do they know?

Fell free to answer in a comment. I enjoy hearing from you!