Jerry Springer
Like Jerry Springer’s ratings, viral videos are gained because people like watching other people and in most case having the ability to laugh at someone or simply feel better about ones self.
As Joseph Cross played Owen Reilly in the 2008 film, “Untraceable”, he saw the explosion of viral video. Unfortunately for him it all started with a video, of the death of his father, spiraling out of control on the internet. In turn he started killing people on live streaming video, where the death was actually caused by more viewers. Is it the same as we think when we mention a viral video? Maybe not, but the premise is there, many people are attracted to negative things: a live slaying of a journalist by a terrorist, simply the negative way one lives so that the viewer may compare themselves to someone else in order to feel better about themselves.
However all viral videos aren’t necessarily bad, just look to You Tube which hosts the largest number of videos viewed of all time. There you’ll find great things like: “World of Marcel the Shell”, Justin Bieber singing Chris Browns, “With You”, America’s Got Talent Star, “Jackie Evancho” or “Unicorn after Wisdom Teeth” or “Double Rainbow”. Oh wait the last two were watch by people because they were or “appeared to be” on drugs and people thought they were funny.
YouTube
Are you or have you attempted to created any? What videos do you like and why? While you may be trying to Braid Your Brand, maybe your tips will spur ideas for others to create that next spiraling viral video.
