September 13, 2012
In the midst of an election season, you'd expect Michael Moore – whose last film, Capitalism: A Love Story, was released three years ago – to be playing his traditional role as liberal provocateur. Instead, he's been most visible as . . . a guy taking long walks. Since March, in what began as a jokey tweet urging his followers to join him on a stroll, Moore's regular #miketakesawalk Twitter outings have drawn thousands.
So how did this begin?
It was a Sunday night. I'd read earlier in the day in The New York Times that more Americans are on antidepressants than go to the movies.
It was a Sunday night. I'd read earlier in the day in The New York Times that more Americans are on antidepressants than go to the movies.
That's depressing in all sorts of ways.
Exactly. I thought I'd tweet that out. This began a little bit of a firestorm. One group started tweeting that Hollywood movies are so bad, they'd make you more depressed. Then a fight broke out between people for and against antidepressants. Finally, some guy tweets to everyone, "I've found that all I need is a brisk walk." I laughed and retweeted him and wrote, "I think he's got the right idea. I'm putting my shoes on right now. Anyone who wants to join me can go." And I went on a 30-minute walk.
Exactly. I thought I'd tweet that out. This began a little bit of a firestorm. One group started tweeting that Hollywood movies are so bad, they'd make you more depressed. Then a fight broke out between people for and against antidepressants. Finally, some guy tweets to everyone, "I've found that all I need is a brisk walk." I laughed and retweeted him and wrote, "I think he's got the right idea. I'm putting my shoes on right now. Anyone who wants to join me can go." And I went on a 30-minute walk.
And it grew from there?
Yes. The next day, I thought, "I'm gonna try this again." Mind you, I'm not doing this for any reason! I wasn't planning any kind of walking routine. But I got even more responses, and I felt an obligation to keep going. People started tweeting pictures of their walks, or things like, "If you're going at 7 p.m. on the East Coast, do I have to go at 4 p.m. on the West Coast?" Europeans are weighing in: "Seven is too late! That's midnight here!" By the end of the month, I was having too much fun to stop. And I was feeling good, personally.
Yes. The next day, I thought, "I'm gonna try this again." Mind you, I'm not doing this for any reason! I wasn't planning any kind of walking routine. But I got even more responses, and I felt an obligation to keep going. People started tweeting pictures of their walks, or things like, "If you're going at 7 p.m. on the East Coast, do I have to go at 4 p.m. on the West Coast?" Europeans are weighing in: "Seven is too late! That's midnight here!" By the end of the month, I was having too much fun to stop. And I was feeling good, personally.
I think people have been surprised by the lack of a political element.
People say, "What's the cause?" The cause is putting one foot in front of the other. There's honestly no rhyme or reason behind this. I deplore exercise. Diets are a scam. I don't believe any of this stuff. I just started doing it because it was a weird thing to do, and then it became a collective thing to do with thousands of people around the world.
People say, "What's the cause?" The cause is putting one foot in front of the other. There's honestly no rhyme or reason behind this. I deplore exercise. Diets are a scam. I don't believe any of this stuff. I just started doing it because it was a weird thing to do, and then it became a collective thing to do with thousands of people around the world.
Great Story. I'd like to know if he has felt the benefits.
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