Written by Thomas Burke
This summer, I had the immense pleasure of participating in one of the most important cultural events of the year: Barbenheimer. Of course, this portmanteau refers to the July 21 releases of both Oppenheimer and the Barbie movie – more precisely, viewing both as a double feature. These two films couldn’t be more different: one is a colorful, creative, fun-filled journey with a strong emphasis on feminist values and personal development. The other is a biopic of the man who created the nuclear bomb. In fact, the only thing these movies have in common is their release date.
Both movies were incredibly successful. The combined ticket sales are over $2 billion worldwide, with Barbie expected to become Warner Bros.’ highest-grossing movie ever. Both are fantastic in their own right, but much of their success can be attributed to the massive hype generated by the Barbenheimer movement. I call this a “movement” since Barbenheimer was not a corporate marketing campaign or promotion but something formed and fueled by a collective desire to poke fun at an absurd coincidence.
I think it’s important to realize this: It wasn’t anyone’s doing that created Barbenheimer. In fact, no one party could. It happened almost naturally – people participating in something for the sake of participation, participation so powerful that “Barbenheimer” has become a household name. Pondering the meaning of trends like this has made me notice all of the inside humor my circles have. I’ve been more appreciative of all of the weird things we do when we’re together, and I can’t help but feel happy to be a part of something collective, large or small.
Barbenheimer came and went. Brief but beautiful, bountiful with lessons we can learn. It started as a joke but grew to be something that people from around the world communed in. It taught me to appreciate being a part of something, even if it’s something silly. So maybe, as we each go our separate ways, if we smile with those around us a little bit more, we can find our own Barbenheimers. This Ken is signing off.
