The Viral Experience: It Keeps on Going, and Going, and Going…

After writing about the viral phenomenon on my last post, I thought some more about the infamous “pie the face” prank and it got me thinking about what other kinds of viral activities we have seen over the last few years.

One of the more “visual” viral phenomena witnessed during the previous few decades has got to be the act of streaking. The idea of abandoning clothes for a romp across campus is something that got started back in the 60’s, but streaking has remained a favorite cult activity for many joyous nude individuals. If at one time it was considered shocking, now it is generally considered more humorous than anything – as this funny video of Anna Kournikova’s encounter with a stripper goes to show. Take a peek.

It isn’t easy to say just what prompts these people to go spontaneously nude, some obviously love the attention, some are into nudity, and other seem to relish the prank as being one of the easiest ways to embarass others. All in good, squeaky clean fun of course. If you want to see just how many different kinds of streakers there are, take a look at this funny post from Unibrow called A Winning Streak: Top 10 Moments In Streaking History.

I came to realize that actually there are a few kinds of different viral activities. Sometimes, like in the example of the streakers, a common medium provides the viral aspect – in this case streaking – and every one participating gives their own interpretive twist on the popular public spectacle.

There is another type of funny viral act that has become popular lately. This is the act of taking an everyday item that everyone is familiar with, and photographing it in different locations around the world, or with different celebrities.

This is the story of a Mr. Potato Head that made its way around during one of the 2008 Presidential Primaries, finding great photo-opportunities with the candidates freely available.

Why you may ask, did someone decide that it would be cool do this? Well, it turned out to be an excellent way to introduce the candidates, many of whom we did not know much about at that point, alongside someone that we all know and love – Mr. Potato Head. For a little more background on how the candidates met our hero – Mr.Potato Head (as well as the American public) take a look at the Candidates Pose with Clinton’s Potato Head.

Here’s what Andy, the mastermind behind this funny stunt had to say about it.

“The candidates have been in Iowa forever. Why not have fun with the whole process?” says Andy Green, a 20-year-old with a wide face and a perpetual smile, like he’s been hiding a big joke he’s just dying to tell. He’s the kind of guy you’d imagine rushing up to Clinton, breathlessly saying: – You need to pose with Mr. Potato Head. You’re the last Democrat to do this. – She complied.” (of course she did!)

What other types of items get a chance to see the world? Beans. Black beans to be more specific. It turns that 2 crazy guys (you would never have guessed, huh?) decided that it would be cool to photograph a can of black beans around the world, and then maybe folks would get the idea and join them on their crusade.  Sound crazy? You bet. Think people had time to take a can of black beans around with them on their own family vacations? Yes they did, and it has turned into quite a movement. Take a look at Beans Around the World for the whole story.

So the world of the viral goes on, and on, and on… There are just too may crazy things that everyone hasn’t heard about. At least, not yet…

In the meantime, take a look at these Beans!

Beans at Mt. Rushmore

Beans at Sea

Beans in Malibu

Beans at Disneyland

Beans on Hollywood Blvd.

Beans on a Cruise

Beans near the Great Wall of China

Now isn’t that something that you’d like to try for your next vacation?

Beans!