Could Be The Move: The Best Instagram Account You're Not Following Yet

Idk... CBTM

I promised a change of pace from the Spooky Season blogs, so here we are. I will be posting a Spooky Season blog because I have to follow up on the V/H/S piece because a fifth installment was released yesterday, October 20th, that I didn't even know was coming out. Forgive me for not doing my research.

Also quick announcement: 1 AM Media has joined Instagram. You can find me at @oneayemm . Toss a follow!

Anyway, today I will be sharing with you all my favorite Instagram account, @couldbethemove.

CBTM is a podcast/Instagram account/TikTok account/experience that I discovered back in my days on TikTok. Created by Bobby Dolan, the goal of CBTM is to explore the obscure practices in social situations that have underrated potential to be cool/interesting. These “moves” can be pulled from movies, television, or real life. Dolan has an original way of describing how and why these “moves” play.

The first move I ever saw was during my time on TikTok (I’m retired now, TikTok is far too dangerous to my time management). The move was Tom Cruise as Maverick in the original Top Gun dramatically ordering an ice water. The way Dolan defends this move is bar-none. He illustrates the intensity of Maverick’s order when he could have casually mentioned “Oh this is just a water”.

Here is the clip that hooked me as well as a few more examples.

Now that I have set the scene, I need to describe the culture of CBTM. The instagram account has around 7,000 followers, but they are the most dedicated, tight-knit. group of followers. Dolan has turned his brand into an interactive experience for both himself, and his followers. Followers consistently send in potential moves for him to dissect and discuss on the podcast. He also reposts moves that were sent in which allows for followers to weigh in. In my experience, CBTM has been very welcoming and engaging when I decide to weigh in on a move. I knew I stumbled upon something special when I originally saw that first TikTok.

There is some jargon in the CBTM extended universe that should be defined.

Move: A practice.

CBTM: Could Be The Move - phrase used when a specific practice would work well in a certain situation to make the person cooler/more interesting/efficient For example: “Exiting the pool during adult swim at the age of 34 because you thought it was stupid when you were 11. -@couldbethemove

CHOP: The definition of CHOP is highly debated. Contributors tend to describe a move as CHOP whenever it is bad. For example: Losing your keys, CHOP. I personally do not think this is the correct use of CHOP. To me, CHOP has to follow the same formula as CBTM. The correct use of CHOP is a move someone makes that sucks. Maybe the person doing the action thinks it could be the move, but everyone else sees how bad the move is. An example I felt fit the mold of a CHOP move is: “Spitting gum out in a urinal: CHOP. Where do you think it’s going to go? Do you think a janitor wants to pick your piss soaked gum out at the end of the day? - @zakhermann

I will keep this brief, but this blog serves as a soft pitch for you guys to toss @couldbethemove a follow. I can only explain it so much, you just have to see for yourself. The instagram serves as the main stomping ground for the CBTM community. However, you can find CBTM on Podcast platforms, and it is worth the listen. The 30-45 minute episodes consist of Dolan diving into moves that were pitched to him. He also supplies his own moves. I highly recommend checking out CBTM when you get the chance. It’s good lighthearted fun. You won’t regret it.

Instagram: @couldbethemove

YouTube: Could Be The Move

Website: couldbethemove.com

Writing a blog about a slept on Instagram page… Idk… CBTM

Talk you soon.

-CJ