Viral videos

A video becomes viral through a process of Internet sharing. These videos have a social impact, like music promotions or education (they are used as teaching and instructive aids). There are also financial implications -> Dave after dentist earned more then100.000 dollars for their owners, who were made YouTube partners. Ultimate Dog Tease entered an agreement with Paramount for the development of a future film. At first glance, its hard to understand why these clips are so famous, since nothing much happens. The clip is called Charlie Bit My Fingeragain! Two little boys, Charlie and Harry, are sitting in a chair when Charlie, the younger brother, bites Harrys finger. According to a new study by Jonah Berger, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School, its related to the emotions they arouse in viewers.Harry and Charliethey are incredibly expressive kids. In 56 seconds, we see their faces go from anticipation to agony, then to laughter. Just when were worried that Harry might actually be hurt, he breaks out in a wide smile.Mr. Berger argues that the popularity of such videos is rooted in the way they excite the body,Our heart rates increases and sweat glands open; the body prepares for action. These are the same physical changes that occur when we encounter any strongly emotional content, from a scary movie or a love poem.In his study, Mr. Berger demonstrates that such states of arousal make people far more likely to share information. Mr. Berger initially assumed that people would share articles with practical implicationshe imagined lots of pieces on diets and gadgetshe discovered instead that the most popular stories were those that triggered the most arousing emotions, such as awe and anger. We dont want to share factswe want to share feelings.Researches in social psychology have shown that people often share strong emotions as a mean of fostering connection and solidarity.Because people have a deep need to share their emotions, there will always be in insatiable demand for funny baby videos, angry political rants and Justin Bieber songs. Such content can often seem frivolous and superficial. But the content isnt the point. The viral clip is merely a means to an end, an efficient way to tell someone else that, for a few moments at least, wed like to feel the same thing.