BDG's GDBs (Gosh Darn Bees)

"I'd like to see a caterpillar do THAT" is my new go-to response whenever I do anything remotely noteworthy

You’ve got 10 more months. You better be a beekeeper by September or I will cry myself to sleep for your betrayal.

We are about halfway there now. In a year and a half BDG will be the beekeeper he deserves to be

Brian woke up, realized he was never going to be a butterfly, and decided to shit on caterpillars to quell his rage

Alright Brian, if you don't become a beekeeper within the next 3 years, you are legally obligated to make a sad apology video

Brian has less than 8 months to become a beekeeper, otherwise it will be a major victory for the caterpillars

Time is running out Brian, you better be getting your bees in order.

I feel like someone said something like "A caterpillar does more than you" to Brian once, and it spawned this incredibly specific callout song

"I'd like to see a caterpillar do that" do not taunt the Lepidoptera, Brian.

Alright, Brian. You have under a year left to become a beekeeper. We're all watching

Mr. Gilbert, you have precisely half a year to get your bees in a line or we'll be very disappointed in you young man.

Oh to be in the mind of BDG for even a single moment

Fun fact! Caterpillars retain some degree of memory after being liquefied during metamorphosis. Some sick twisted scientists tested this by hurting caterpillars while a tone played and after being reduced to primordial goo in the chrysalis to become a butterfly, they still freaked out when the tone played. So they do have some idea of what's going on sometimes! Just a fun science fact

6 months, brian. we're excited to see your bees!

There’s actually theories that insects can have genetic memories so there’s a chance that caterpillar knows exactly what’s going on and still chooses not to be a bee keeper because caterpillars are menaces to society

Here, Brian is clearly pulling what we call a “Bookman's Bluff.” The caterpillar is quite obviously not actually a caterpillar, but instead a metaphor for Kirby

I'm so glad I can finally listen to a caterpillar song that's not also a metaphor! thanks Brian!

Only 9 more months, Brian. You better keep those bees.

The prophecy must be fulfilled. Brian has one more year to become a Keeper of Bees.

These caterpillars having a single golden bead at some part of their body, makes me feel like they are a videogame enemy, and if I hit exactly on the golden bead I will get double coins or something.

This song really spoke to me. I believe this ballad represents humanity’s core elements; elitism, growth, and pointlessness. Both the caterpillars and Brian represent a different part of humanity’s struggle. On the one hand there’s Brian, who believes he is superior to these beings known as “caterpillars”. We can tell this based on the verse where he criticises caterpillars for being unable to perform basic human tasks such as long division. This symbolises humanity’s desire for superiority, and their general elitist mindset and disregard for other species. On the other hand, the caterpillars symbolise both pointlessness and growth. It is stated that caterpillars don’t know where they are going and where they are from, and this general cluelessness means they are without purpose. This directly aligns with humanity’s constant search for knowledge, and our inability to have definitive proof of our origins or where we go after death. Despite this, the caterpillars show that happiness can be found in pointlessness, and that growth is possible in any condition. Despite their lack of knowledge of their surroundings and their general vulnerability, the caterpillars are happy to eat and sleep. Finally, the caterpillars indicate a desire to become something more. They metamorphasize and Brian indicates his frustration that he can’t do the same through his attempts to compare himself to the caterpillars. Brian and the caterpillars, though seemingly conflicting points of view in existence itself, are both an allegory for the human condition and how if we seek satisfaction it will never be found. These comparisons lead me to see this video as the great piece of literature that it is. Too bad this video is not a metaphor.

376 days remain until Brian's beekeper arc

the one year warning to become a bee keeper or you will have to apologies to caterpillars

The song isn’t a metaphor, it’s a metamorph.

“Don’t know why we respect something that can’t do long division, write petitions, and pay with a check.” Me: …

4 months and 9 days left till brian becomes a keeper of bees

Five months left Brian.

Brian appearing from the left side and yelling "I can do all of those things" got me good, I appreciate this.

"I go years without knowing what a song is actually about. And I’d have a much easier time writing songs if everyone was like that, but some of you are those maniacs who instantly focus in on understanding the lyrics and you know right away if it’s a good song or just a good sounding song. And I live in fear of you people. Please, just let me sing about bugs." - Niel Cicierega

Its been two years, you have one more to become a bee keeper

at 0:23 you can hear faint voices in the background going to the end of the song. I have spent months deciphering this mystery lyric, and have uncovered the truth. It’s just “this song is not a metaphor” repeated over and over again

The "they're dopey as heck" verse flows so well I can't even explain it it's just so catchy in such a satisfying way

Once I found out Brian's into bees I realized that he's a keeper.

0:00 : Opening Image 0:01 : Setup 0:02 : Theme Stated 0:06 : Catalyst 0:12 : Debate 0:21 : Break into 2 0:23 : Fun and Games 0:29 : Midpoint 0:33 : Bad Guys Close In 0:35 : All is Lost 0:38 : Dark Night of the Soul 0:40 : Break into 3 0:42 : Finale 0:43 : Final Image

At the time of writing Brian has till September 9th to become a beekeeper

Actually one of my caterpillar friends just graduated from Uni and he has his whole planned out. Im very proud of him for staying true to himself

Fun fact, caterpillars have a genetic memory, so during their migrations their children know where to go even though they were perhaps born in the middle of the journey and have never been there before

Fun fact- caterpillars actually liquify into a soup in their cocoon. Yet somehow, they still remember everything they knew when they were caterpillars. Which isn't much, admittedly. I mean, you watched this song, right?

The clock's ticking Brian

I know we're supposed to talk about how cool it is that this song is so literal and not a metaphor at all, but I just wanna say that I freaking love the chords so much. They're so perfect. I love them.

I love how after leaving polygon, Brian has gradually become more and more unhinged

This song is holds real value to me as a commentary on society’s denigration of childish behavior. The caterpillar is a symbolism for children and childhood (the specific of it being a caterpillar could be an allusion to The Very Hungry Caterpillar or the caterpillar beginning at the first stage of its metamorphosis). it “doesn’t know what’s goin’ on,” it’s “dopey as heck,” and Gilbert says that he doesn’t know why we respect it, all in what I think is an attempt to convince himself that society’s distaste for childishness is justified. He cites this ability to write petitions, do long division, and pay with a check as reasons for his superiority to the caterpillar, as well as the fact that he can do what the caterpillar can (eat leaves, climb trees). He neglects to mention that, unlike many things in an adult world, the caterpillar, and the child, do not do things primarily to reach a desired end (I feel it is appropriate to assign desire and emotion to the caterpillar as he also personifies it in the song), but for the enjoyment of it. The world of a child is simple and usually very happy, in stark contrast to the adult world Gilbert is in. At the end of the song, Gilbert says that he believes he will become a beekeeper. I believe this occupation is a metaphor for dealing with the struggles of the adult world in modern society. He does not run from the bees, though. He *keeps* them, and in a way, relies on them. The struggles of adulthood and the struggle of any worker under capitalism are unpleasant, but it is hard to reject them fully. He cannot run from the bees as a child would, so he keeps them close, permanently integrating them into his life. This is why he rejects the caterpillar, why he calls us to not respect it: he is too deep in the struggles of his life to admit that it could ever be different. This is why he says that "this song is not a metaphor." He is denying this conflict inside himself and trying to stop us from uncovering it. edit: there used to be a "haha maybe it's not that deep" thing here but no, i was and am being entirely sincere and you can still find meaning in art even if it isn't intended. it's not a trick of some kind, it is an essential and beautiful part of art and culture at large. i also rewrote the whole comment.

4 more months until the timer is up, hurry up and become a beekeeper!

Musically, this has no right to be as good as it is. These chord progression are undeniably legendary.

"I'd like to see a caterpillar do that" is my new self confidence boosting mantra. Genuinely I will say this now to myself when I accomplish something to make me appreciate it that much more. I love it. And that'll be reason #24,601 that Brian has made my life better.

Very well Brian, you have until September 9th of this year to become a keeper of bees (a beekeeper)

5 more months, the clock is ticking

Brian’s really metamorphosed since leaving Polygon

I am willing to bet 5 bucks that BDG googled: "Can caterpillars keep bees?" before posting this. Thank you for your inquisitive mind Brian!

5 months brian, gotta get them buzzers

Clocks tickin' no bees?

Do you ever think about how caterpillars' bodies entirely liquify to become butterflies in their cocoons. And you just wonder if they have any idea what's happening to them or why? Do they know they they will become something beautiful and important? Or do they feel like they're dissolving inside their own self-made coffin? Do you think they're scared?

As someone who grew up on a butterfly farm, I can confirm that all caterpillars know is monch and crawl.

You have six months to become a beekeeper brian... we wouldn't want you breaking any promises

A mere 1 year left for him to reveal he has become a bee keeper

"Please, let me just sing about bugs... bugs that don't matter" - Neil Cicierega aka Lemon Demon

This song is clearly a metaphor for the ambiguity of adolescence, a caterpillar that doesn't even know its on the cusp of metamorphosis, and "not being a metaphor" is an allegory for reality not being nearly as complex as it's made out to be. That they should just take the complexity of life one step at a time, like a bee diligently collecting a mouthfuls of nectar.

NOT A METAPHOR 🎹🎹🎹

197 days left to learn how to keep bees

My 2 year old was throwing a tantrum and I started watching this video (for my own entertainment, popped up on my feed) while he cried. And he stopped and becomes completely entranced so I’m now playing it on loop for the last 15 minutes. First time our interests align and it feels wonderful. We’re sitting here cracking up at this video

In three years, BDG will be a beekeeper. This means that he will have roughly 5 years and 8 months (from then) of being a beekeeper (or whatever else he does in that time) until he dies.

He has 9 months to become a keeper of bees

Brian, you have roughly 4 months to become a bee keeper. If you don’t become one sometime within the next few months, the caterpillars will claim a major victory

Can't wait for the quality apiarist content in 3 years.

Brian has clearly made a song that is a simile, ergo it is not a metaphor. Edit: I see my joke has brought out the English experts. I may be wrong but I don't particularly care

I'm going to analyze this song's deeper meanings. You see, this song is not a metaphor about caterpillars directly, it has much deeper themes than that. Caterpillars are often symbols of change and growth due to their ability to metamorphize. Despite the song title's warnings, the listener is still lead to interpret the song through the lens of viewing the caterpillar as a symbol of transformative growth, perhaps allowing themselves to feel a sense of wonder towards caterpillars. Perhaps they don't notice the warning, or don't believe it, or just play along anyways. Then, the work subverts the listener's expectations by declaring more unambiguously that the work is not a metaphor. Instead, the work wants the listener to re-analyze the sense of wonder they felt or the symbolism of the caterpillar. It asks the listener to question why they feel a sense of wonder towards what it argues is such a lowly creature. It makes rhetorical arguments against admiring caterpillars, but the arguments are very silly. This implies to the listener that their admiration for caterpillars is actually *not* invalid, but instead it simply wants the listener to come to their own conclusion as to why we feel that sense of admiration towards the little things in nature.

One year left.

Ah, I missed the short songs of old. I absolutely adore the longer things he’s been putting out, but it’s nice to return to roots every once and a while

This song represents the metamorphosis that Brian David Gilbert went through after leaving Polygon. Wow. Only a true artist could make a song so metaphorically meaningful.

i cant believe this guy voiced the winter king

the months are counting down Brian, only 5 left

The great thing about BDG is that we can totally expect him to be a real beekeeper in 3 years

Wow such a cool song, i wonder if it's a metaphor for something.

The deadlines coming up Brian

Time's about up. Where are the bees, Brian?

My favorite part about this song is how you can’t tell if its about him liking caterpillars or not. The lyrics can be used for both complimenting and dissing these little wormies

The editing is so specific; he either spent days getting it right or three and a half minutes slapping it together

The clock is ticking, Brian. Your three years are running out, Brian. The bees, Brian, the bees. They're waiting. Don't make them wait, Brian.

I can't wait to see your first beekeeping video.

Reasons why caterpillars aren’t respected members of society: - Can’t be bee keepers - Can’t do long division - Can’t pay taxes

This made me experience happiness.

Popping up to remind Brian that he has a year to become a bee keeper

One more year, Brian. Then your time is up.

This is a absolutely amazing and complexly contemplative metaphor for capitalism, truly wonderful work.

I really appreciate all of the care that went into constructing this deep and introspective metaphor about how our human nature drives us to pursue violent and barbaric urges that often conflict with our moral principles

Times running out, Brian.

ON SEPTEMBER 9th YOU BETTER BEE A BEEKEEPER

I’ll be very happy if Brian makes a song about beekeeping exactly three years from now

I've always said that a well known author should write a book called "There is no deeper meaning, this is all literal and for fictional entertainment", and this is the closest I've seen anyone come! Thanks Brian!

In less than a year you must become a beekeeper

4 months, Brian. We're waiting.

Brian i am compelled to think this song is a metaphor

The caterpillar community been real quiet ever since this banger dropped O.O

you have until spetember 9 to be a beekeeper

Your time is coming, Mr. Gilbert.

I sent an mp4 of this video to my english teacher as something for in class analysis. He spent 10 minutes breaking down the first 15 seconds, but then the “this song is not a metaphor” hit and we watched the rest in total silence.

Is this on spotify? Id like to add it to my "non metaphors" playlist

He running out of time for those bees

1 more year, then bees