The ever-evolving Internet age we live in seemingly never disappoints when it comes to watching hilarious and crazy videos. Never before have we shared video content at such a high rate. Mashable reports that every minute there are 400 tweets tied to a YouTube video. Sites like YouTube have given the normal person the ability to become an internet sensation over night. With the rise of Twitter and Facebook, videos can garner millions of hits within a matter of weeks, days, and sometimes even 24 hours, otherwise known as a video going “viral.” The “Kony” video is a one that comes to mind. My personal favorite has to be the “I Like Turtles” vid that has gotten over 37 million views. PBS’s Off Book just released a video examining the world of viral videos and the different components that go into making one.
“Viral Video is the signature phenomenon of internet media. Something akin to pop songs, these videos with irresistible hooks have saturated video culture online and have now evolved into a multitude of sophisticated forms. Whether rooted in comedy, spectacle, schadenfreude, cuteness, politics, performance, or deep meaning, the idea of viral videos, and the huge audiences they generate, have forever changed the values and potential impact of video online.”
