Dave Gorman hits the intriguing spot! (Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure (DVD))

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure (DVD)
Date:	26/02/09 (75 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent lecture/stand up/documentary

Disadvantages: None

I first saw this on TV, and was enthralled with the notion of it. Dave Gorman, generally known as a presenter and comedian, presents this as a cross between a lecture and a stand up routine, and it actually turns out to be a thoroughly entertaining tale of one man's obsession with something called a 'googlewhack'.

A googlewhack is a pair of words that, if you google them, return you with just the one hit, as in only one site found. Gorman found out about this when he was trying to write a novel, and he found it incredibly hard as the internet was there and he was wasting time on it. He came across googlewhacks and it was explained to him as a game that is played online with people sharing their googlewhack experiences. His site contained one, as it was pointed out to him, and his friend (also called Dave Gorman!) bet him that he couldn't find concurrent googlewhacks from 10 people!

Not one to lay down when there was a challenge to be undertaken, Gorman set about it, and this 'performance' is him recounting the traveling and seraching and friendships he encounters along the way. It is filmed with Dave standing on stage and giving a powerpoint presentation, and it is absolutely mesmerising. You really want him to succeed, and he really appeals to the audience. It is also thoroughly entertaining and extremely interesting challenge and study, but the best bit about it, is that it is completely and utterly useless and pointless. It is more a game than anything else, and isn'ty likely to earn you money or gain you fame, but Dave has turned it into a popular presentation.

I like Gorman's work. His comedy is rather dry and intellectual, much like a poor man's Stephen Fry (sorry Dave!). If you think you have found a googlewhack, then email him with the link. The only problem is that you will become obsessed, so intriguing is the challenge of finding one, let alone the ten Dave had to find. The trip took him all over the world, but to find out what happened, watch the DVD. It's well worth the time, and is thoroughly entertaining.

I actually found a googlewhack, and was immensely happy with myself. The problem was that as soon as I announced it, the page I announced it on also now had this pairing of words, stopping it being a googlewhack! I did email him the previously saved google page with it on, although I haven't had a reply (boo hoo!) I recommend watching this - it was well worth the hour and a half or so. His other documentaries are very good as well, particularly the recently aired one on Channel 4 which features him travelling across the US using only small, local independent retailers for everything: car, petrol, food and lodging!

Summary: Very engrossing DVD