Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

There was some discussion about the relevance of Michael Jackson's death to Hacker News. lyime mentioned the moonwalk as a "dance hack", and this reminded me of the patented anti-gravity lean -- a genuine hack. Look at http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/32/Smooth_crimina... and http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Smooth_cr... to quickly see why this is cool.



The moonwalk actually existed years before MJ used it.

Here is a clip of a guy doing it in 1955: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VbPd2iu4bg

Later, street dancers in California incorporated the move into their style known as "popping." It was these same street dancers that taught MJ the move. And I mean these people were literally hired as teachers, not that he just saw people doing it.

But none of that takes away from what Michael accomplished as a dancer and as a singer. Clearly the man was a special talent.


He used the hack, that makes him a 'dance-hacer if such concept exists. No need to be the inventor of the hack itself.


The moonwalk was at best an exploit as it was a well known move in the popping scene at that point. MJ just took it into the mainstream.

The shoes though appear to be a fresh concept.


Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I believe he was also known for perfecting the move, wasn't he?


I would doubt this. Popping isn't my speciality (i'm more a breaking geek). There were probably people more dedicated to specifically that dance style that would have outshone him at the time.

Dance that is exposed in the mainstream is a very thin slice of what is actually out there. Nor is it usually the "best".

I will confess that his moonwalk is pretty damn good though.


I have watched a ridiculous amount of popping in my life. I've been to several of the premier popping events and I have also been to many underground jams. I also have watched a ton of video.

And while I will say that there are a large number of people that dance "better" and certainly more technical than MJ...

I have never seen anyone TOUCH his moonwalk. As far as I am concerned he was the greatest there ever was at that move by far.


These shoes have nothing to do with the moonwalk.




Consider applying for YC's W25 batch! Applications are open till Nov 12.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: