| Hunter S Thompson was once terrified by the fact | | | | 'Afro Ninja' on You Tube), the |
| that any fool could have his likeness projected two | | | | animals-do-the-funniest-things effect ('Fainting Goats', |
| hundred feet tall over downtown Las Vegas, 'twelve | | | | 'Sneezing Panda', 'Dramatic Chipmunk'), or simply an |
| times the size of god.' Were he alive today, he would | | | | innate 'so bad it's good' quality ('Chocolate Rain', |
| no doubt be all the more terrified by the prospect | | | | 'Numa, Numa', 'Rick Astley'). Whatever the reason, |
| that anyone with a cheap camera phone and an | | | | these video's often clock up hundreds of millions of |
| internet connection can project themselves to every | | | | hits each, and with the recent introduction of the |
| corner of the earth with less effort than it takes to | | | | You Tube Partnership Program, popular users could |
| make a cheese sandwich. | | | | soon be set to get their hands on some of that |
| Yes, whether you be an over-enthusiastic Star Wars | | | | theoretical internet money. |
| fan, a washed up eighties popstar, the Queen of | | | | However it is not only for mindless titillation that this |
| Jordan or a skateboarding bulldog, you too have the | | | | new medium is being exploited. Corporations, NGO's |
| power to reach literally millions of people around the | | | | and individuals around the world are increasingly |
| world. Is that too much power? In many cases, | | | | turning to viral vids for a range of purposes and |
| possibly. | | | | agendas, including marketing and the distribution of |
| Viral video's are named such because they spread | | | | information. Viral Videos look set to grow as both a |
| rapidly from internet user to internet user. Often less | | | | cultural phenomenon of the information age, and as a |
| than a couple of minutes long, they nonetheless | | | | potent new means of quickly communicating ideas to |
| contain a certain je ne sais quois that compels the | | | | a mass audience. |
| viewer to immediately pass it on to his friends, | | | | In the meantime, search 'South Park Internet Stars' |
| family,work colleagues, and passing acquaintances. | | | | on You Tube for a run down of some of the best, |
| This may be a result of the subject's | | | | and worst, viral vids, South Park style. |
| to-be-laughed-at-ness (search for 'Star Wars Kid' or | | | | |