The Hive Learner community asked about why people would do outrageous things just to go viral. People put themselves in danger, humiliate themselves, or do creepy things to others just to "go viral". Not too long ago I read about a person who decided it was a good idea to remove straws from a public orange juice machine, lick the straws, then put them back in the machine...then post it online. The teenager is facing 2 year in prison for the publicity stunt.
That is just one example. Go back a few years and it was "Tide Pods". Go back a few more and it was "Pen, Pineapple, Apple, Pen". Go back even further and it was the "Numa Numa" dance. Personally I don't follow what's viral. Too many silly pranks and bad ideas but the question remains "Why do people do it?".
I doubt there is just one reason why.
I would not be at all surprised if a desire to "be someone" didn't lead a big portion of people doing silly stunts online. It seems that many people see their worth in their followers. More followers = more worth in the eyes of many.
What will people do to be popular?
Considering I was a teenager in the 1980s and considering some of the clothing styles that were considered popular at the time I'm going to say people will do a lot of silly things.
But
A lot of viral video's that I've seen have nothing to do with someone trying to find followers. Some people just do something interesting and it catches on.
The Numa Numa guy from all those years ago? He was just having fun in front of his WebCam.
Bella Poarch who went viral for her facial expressions on M to the B video. Trying to have fun.
And
Then some people post something which wasn't expected to go viral and suddenly everyone sees it. Good for some but can lead to being cancelled for others.
Hive Learners in their prompt asked why
Some partake in challenges that put their life and freedom at risk
and then ask why people would do this and is it worth the risk.
The funny thing to me is that the question is asked like it is a modern issue. Personally I think it is a modern take on an old problem.
Some people are desperate
Some people have run out of options or at least don't see any.
What do you do?
Some people have the looks and charisma to make things work on OnlyFans. Others? Not so much. But trying to go viral on Youtube, X, or other social media has become an option for virtually everyone on the planet.
Is it worth the risk? That's a tough call. If someone truly has no option and is going down a path with no future? A gamble may be worth it. Indeed, I often think what would I do for my family? Of course I would always look for the best option available and look for any viable path forward.... but if I looked at every avenue and saw trying a viral stunt as the only possible path? Absolutely I would take it.
However, this isn't new. The face is new but the idea is very old.
Go back a couple centuries and there were still people who had little hope for the future. Gold had been found in the wild west and guess what? People risked everything for a chance at striking it rich. Many died. Most failed. A few did indeed become rich. Locally that would be people like "Billy Barker" who has the town "Barkerville" named after him.
Go back a little further and you have those people who were responsible (in large part) for developing the land of Canada (and I suppose the United States). There was a time where Canada was giving out free parcels of land to anyone willing to work it. If you are a person who has nothing, free land and a chance at a future is very enticing. Many people came. Some died. Some didn't succeed. Some made a better life for themselves.
How many people dream of "making it big" in Hollywood. How many people have dreamed of becoming an actor and gone to California trying to be the next big star? Auditions, Casting Calls, Agents, and working terrible jobs to make ends meet while dreaming of stardom? Guess what. Just like before... Some waste years of their life, many more never achieve their dream, and some get very rich.
Have you started to see a pattern?
Social media has just put a new face on an old issue. Many people will do whatever it takes to try and get ahead and make a name for themselves. With social media it has just become much easier to see what exactly that entails. Sometimes it is funny entertainment. Sometimes it is cringeworthy. Either way it is nothing new.
Or at least that's my take on today's Hive Learner prompt. As always feel free to disagree or maybe leave a comment. Either way, thanks for reading.
