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The Viral Vault: How Ordinary Moments Become Extraordinary Online
- 2025/01/09
- 再生時間： 3 分
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あらすじ・解説
In the vast expanse of the internet, there are moments that transcend the ordinary and become etched in our collective memory. These are the viral videos and content pieces that capture our emotions, challenge our beliefs, and often leave us in awe.
One of the earliest and most significant viral videos is "Me At The Zoo," uploaded by YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim on April 23, 2005. This 19-second clip of Karim standing in front of elephants at the San Diego Zoo may seem mundane, but it marked the beginning of YouTube's journey to become the world's most popular online video-sharing platform. With over 340 million views, it's a testament to the power of ordinary moments becoming extraordinary[1].
Another landmark video is "Lazy Sunday," a bootleg copy of the Saturday Night Live skit "The Chronicles of Narnia Rap," uploaded in December 2005. This video skyrocketed YouTube's popularity, garnering 1.2 million views in its first 10 days and increasing visits to YouTube by 83%[1].
Emotions play a crucial role in making content go viral. According to Jonah Berger, a marketing professor at the Wharton School of Business, content that evokes high-arousal emotions—whether positive or negative—is more likely to spread. For instance, the video "David After Dentist," uploaded in 2009, features a young boy's hilarious reaction after a dental visit. The video's cuteness and the boy's amusing comments captured the hearts of millions, amassing over 142 million views and enabling the family to monetize it through the YouTube Partner Program[1][2].
Surprise and awe are also potent drivers of virality. The "First Kiss" video, created by the fashion brand WREN in 2014, asked 20 strangers to kiss for the first time. This unexpected and intimate moment generated over 153 million views and a significant boost in website traffic and sales for WREN[1].
Anger and controversy can also propel content to viral status. The "Angry German Kid" video, where a teenager's frustration with his computer game boils over into a rage, has become a classic example of how negative emotions can spread content rapidly. Similarly, the "Leave Britney Alone" video, where a fan passionately defends Britney Spears against critics, highlights how strong emotions can drive engagement[3].
Sometimes, it's the unexpected and the bizarre that capture our attention. The "Star Wars Kid" video, featuring a teenager swinging a golf ball retriever like a lightsaber, became an internet sensation due to its sheer absurdity and the numerous parodies it inspired[3].
The internet's viral vault is filled with moments that surprise, delight, and sometimes shock us. These videos not only reflect our shared experiences but also demonstrate the power of digital content to connect and influence us on a global scale. Whether it's the simplicity of "Me At The Zoo" or the emotional depth of "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch, these viral moments remind us of the internet's ability to amplify the ordinary and make it extraordinary.
One of the earliest and most significant viral videos is "Me At The Zoo," uploaded by YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim on April 23, 2005. This 19-second clip of Karim standing in front of elephants at the San Diego Zoo may seem mundane, but it marked the beginning of YouTube's journey to become the world's most popular online video-sharing platform. With over 340 million views, it's a testament to the power of ordinary moments becoming extraordinary[1].
Another landmark video is "Lazy Sunday," a bootleg copy of the Saturday Night Live skit "The Chronicles of Narnia Rap," uploaded in December 2005. This video skyrocketed YouTube's popularity, garnering 1.2 million views in its first 10 days and increasing visits to YouTube by 83%[1].
Emotions play a crucial role in making content go viral. According to Jonah Berger, a marketing professor at the Wharton School of Business, content that evokes high-arousal emotions—whether positive or negative—is more likely to spread. For instance, the video "David After Dentist," uploaded in 2009, features a young boy's hilarious reaction after a dental visit. The video's cuteness and the boy's amusing comments captured the hearts of millions, amassing over 142 million views and enabling the family to monetize it through the YouTube Partner Program[1][2].
Surprise and awe are also potent drivers of virality. The "First Kiss" video, created by the fashion brand WREN in 2014, asked 20 strangers to kiss for the first time. This unexpected and intimate moment generated over 153 million views and a significant boost in website traffic and sales for WREN[1].
Anger and controversy can also propel content to viral status. The "Angry German Kid" video, where a teenager's frustration with his computer game boils over into a rage, has become a classic example of how negative emotions can spread content rapidly. Similarly, the "Leave Britney Alone" video, where a fan passionately defends Britney Spears against critics, highlights how strong emotions can drive engagement[3].
Sometimes, it's the unexpected and the bizarre that capture our attention. The "Star Wars Kid" video, featuring a teenager swinging a golf ball retriever like a lightsaber, became an internet sensation due to its sheer absurdity and the numerous parodies it inspired[3].
The internet's viral vault is filled with moments that surprise, delight, and sometimes shock us. These videos not only reflect our shared experiences but also demonstrate the power of digital content to connect and influence us on a global scale. Whether it's the simplicity of "Me At The Zoo" or the emotional depth of "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch, these viral moments remind us of the internet's ability to amplify the ordinary and make it extraordinary.