As with many viral videos on social media, there are always people who feel the need to copy them. A funny sketch, a prank, an inspiring phrase — something designed to hit you right in the feels.
Normally I don't bother much with these, since I know that at the end of the day the plan is simply to get clicks. The incentives are obvious to everyone, so I'm not trying to question that. What I do want to question is how some of these things become viral.
This doesn't mean I don't understand all viral videos. I obviously do. I've even done my part sharing videos, which is the unitary component of virality. But I'm talking about videos that defy logic, or that are so basic — in my view — so empty of wisdom, and yet are sold like golden nuggets.
A man claims he can demonstrate that your life is the most valuable thing there is. A claim that hardly seems controversial. Who would question that life is the most precious thing we have? Someone who needs help, I would assume — but he's talking to an audience, an audience I presume is not having the darkest of thoughts.
“Would you accept 20 million dollars right now, if you knew you would die in a week?”
“No,” the man replies. “I would never.”
Then the logical "magician" concludes:
“This demonstrates your life is more valuable than 20 million dollars.”
“Wow,” says his captive audience of one.
In his face, the calculations are being revealed. You can almost read it like a page of a magazine.
That's a lot of money. I'm worth a lot of money. I matter. I'm valuable.
The video ends.
You see, when I watch this, I don't see wisdom. Not really. There's some information there, I accept that — but hardly something so profound that it required a formal tone or a stoic pose from a talented orator.
You must drink water, because without water you will die. Water is very important to our life.
Oh no… I've just come up with wisdom right there.
After all, it's true. And there might be someone out there who doesn't know this. I mean, it's basically the same depth of thought being shared. Today on my blog, and yesterday on TikTok.
That is the trick of sophistry.
And sophistry is a trick.
I don't know if most people think about this as much as I have, but I almost have an allergic reaction when I hear it.
But let me be clear. I mean sophistry when it’s used to compensate for a lack of protein. Speaking beautifully, with pauses, in a stoic manner — but laying on the table some reheated rice and eggs.
Not gourmet? How dare you.
But to finish my little rant — if you can call it that — the pointless video, the pointless point, said precisely something you already knew.
Without breath follows nothingness.
Somethingness is better, even if we are talking about two quarters and a dime as your budget for a week.
Would you rather have 20 million dollars but die instantly, or bathe in a pool of rotting animal guts and live?
Oh wow… animal guts are more valuable than 20 million dollars.
Seems like I have the makings of a new viral TikTok.
Now I just need to shed my shame.
ha!
—MenO
