>> ^joedirt:

Since when is a fucking manicure a "doctor"... did you notice all the nail polish.

Also, since when is really bad CGI and fake acting on a dumb viral video count as a "prank"

You really cracked that case, didn't you, Sherlock?

Since when is a fucking manicure a "doctor"... did you notice all the nail polish.



Also, since when is really bad CGI and fake acting on a dumb viral video count as a "prank"

Not every commercial is viral but anything that is *viral is in fact a *commercial. At least according to the Sift's definition of viral. This stunt was done at Franken's expense for the sole purpose of creating a sensationalized clip in the hopes that it would spread (as a viral video) and increase his book sales.

Any video made under the pretense of specifically creating a viral video is flawed from the outset, imho.

According to Damian, there is one edit: "We did actually shoot it in long, single takes. We only made it all the way through three times. But the truth is, one part, where we come down a waterfall, the action got a little behind, and three times, we actually got all the way through, the camera guy only got it once," Kulash explained. "So there is a bit of an edit in there. One edit. The machine did run all the way through each time, though, which is important."

Sarzy's comment that this feels "cynical and soulless" makes me sad. Obviously the band is trying to make viral videos, but that's been true since they recorded their first dance video and handed it out to some fans at concerts a number of years ago now. It wasn't cynical then, and it's not cynical now; it's just good marketing.

It's hosted on the Doritos Canada channel- followed the trail of comments and videos to this user here http://www.youtube.com/user/9096361. Same guy featured in all 3 videos. Seems like a talented-enough fellow, but this isn't the forum for a self-linking viral video contest. Not to say that a regular user couldn't choose to submit some of the better ones, but self-linking is the first rule of Fight Club.

>> ^dystopianfuturetoday:
I find the tension and conflict of this video interesting, but I don't think there is any justification for making the old guy a hero or internet celebrity. He clearly has issues and seemed to be just as interested in violence as his counterpart.
I think peggedbea is right, that interjecting race into the title and tags is creepy, and issykitty makes a good point as to how appealing this has become to the racists of youtube. It doesn't mean that everyone who voted for this is a raging, lynching klansman, but it may be indicative of the subtler prejudices that all of us harbor deep inside our subconscious. Either way, it's worthy of discussion.
If this hot, viral video were framed as two crazy idiots fighting on a bus, I wouldn't see much problem with it, but that's not how it's been framed. Instead, it's young black thug vs. elderly white marine. Or even worse Ignorant, illiterate black gangbanger vs bearded Nordic God.
In America, intercity blacks are feared. They are portrayed in the media as either criminal thugs or lazy bums who live off of government aid. The only positives you ever hear are about the occasional football or basketball player who gets a scholarship and escapes. Black neighborhoods are avoided by white people, who describe these places with words like 'scary' 'sketchy' or 'rough', but if you actually take the time to explore these areas, you find regular people. People who work. People who love their children. People who mow their lawns. As a white person, I've felt no overt prejudice against me in these places. I've felt no danger or threat upon my personal safety. It's just not the warzone it's made out to be in the media.
For some, this video will not only confirm false media stereotypes, but also goes the extra mile to punish that stereotype with violence. Don't get me wrong, the black guy in this video seems like a creep, and goes to great lengths to live up to the most negative of negative black stereotypes, right down to his inability to pronounce a very common word, but for many, this one single man's behavior will serve as a confirmation and justification for irrational, subconscious racial fears.
I'm not judging nomino, or anyone. I voted this thing up, myself, before bea and issy gave me some pause, so I'm not claiming to be better or wiser than anyone else here. Race is a really tough subject for Americans, complicated by history, tradition, media, politics and economics. I think it's OK to find this conflict on a bus compelling, and to also admit that there might be more going on in our subconscious minds than we'd like. dark fear
Since I'm in the confessional, I might as well mention that I wish I could take my vote back from another video, featuring a European man slapping a woman, causing her to cry. Lots of subconscious shit going on there too.


I agree both the guys would have been wiser to defuse the situation. It's an expensive risk to absorb that anyone you meet like that might be carrying a knife or a gun. The stakes in life are high, and all it takes is one bout of bad luck...

I can understand it sucks for the younger guy... he can't complain since he certainly carries some amount over 50% of the responsibility for what happened, but his brain made him think it was a good idea, and now he just feels more victimized by life than he did before he got the tables turned on him.


"He clearly has issues and seemed to be just as interested in violence as his counterpart."

I think it's certainly a good instinct to be understanding of both sides... it's a higher human impulse... but it seems like this can also go so far as creating a false symmetry. The younger guy (1) did force the older guy to the other side of the bus, (2) did then go after him and throw the first punch, and (3) did legally commit assault (touching someone who doesn't want to be touched, particularly while threatening violence). For all the old guy knew, the next punch could have had a knife with it.


describe these places with words like 'scary' 'sketchy' or 'rough', but if you actually take the time to explore these areas, you find regular people ... confirm false media stereotypes... this one single man's behavior will serve as a confirmation and justification for irrational, subconscious racial fears... there might be more going on in our subconscious minds than we'd like. dark fear."

Yeah, it's good to not excessively vilify high crime areas... but I feel like some of this goes so far as to imply that statistics are irrational. On another note, this video would be just as appealing to many people if it featured an Aussie thug (a small minority of Aussies) and an Indian-Australian.


That being said, I think you're right... it'd be better to not inject race into the title, and most people who live in statistically risky areas are good people, same as everywhere.

I find the tension and conflict of this video interesting, but I don't think there is any justification for making the old guy a hero or internet celebrity. He clearly has issues and seemed to be just as interested in violence as his counterpart.

I think peggedbea is right, that interjecting race into the title and tags is creepy, and issykitty makes a good point as to how appealing this has become to the racists of youtube. It doesn't mean that everyone who voted for this is a raging, lynching klansman, but it *may* be indicative of the subtler prejudices that all of us harbor deep inside our subconscious. Either way, it's worthy of discussion.

If this hot, viral video were framed as two crazy idiots fighting on a bus, I wouldn't see much problem with it, but that's not how it's been framed. Instead, it's young black thug vs. elderly white marine. Or even worse Ignorant, illiterate black gangbanger vs bearded Nordic God.

In America, intercity blacks are feared. They are portrayed in the media as either criminal thugs or lazy bums who live off of government aid. The only positives you ever hear are about the occasional football or basketball player who gets a scholarship and escapes. Black neighborhoods are avoided by white people, who describe these places with words like 'scary' 'sketchy' or 'rough', but if you actually take the time to explore these areas, you find regular people. People who work. People who love their children. People who mow their lawns. As a white person, I've felt no overt prejudice against me in these places. I've felt no danger or threat upon my personal safety. It's just not the warzone it's made out to be in the media.

For some, this video will not only confirm false media stereotypes, but also goes the extra mile to punish that stereotype with violence. Don't get me wrong, the black guy in this video seems like a creep, and goes to great lengths to live up to the most negative of negative black stereotypes, right down to his inability to pronounce a very common word, but for many, this one single man's behavior will serve as a confirmation and justification for irrational, subconscious racial fears.

I'm not judging nomino, or anyone. I voted this thing up, myself, before bea and issy gave me some pause, so I'm not claiming to be better or wiser than anyone else here. Race is a really tough subject for Americans, complicated by history, tradition, media, politics and economics. I think it's OK to find this conflict on a bus compelling, and to also admit that there might be more going on in our subconscious minds than we'd like. *dark *fear

Since I'm in the confessional, I might as well mention that I wish I could take my vote back from another video, featuring a European man slapping a woman, causing her to cry. Lots of subconscious shit going on there too.

>> ^gwiz665:
There is a bit of overlap in viral and meme. Viral does not only mean "viral ads". A video can also "go viral", which is basically that it's popular and shown on all sorts of sites.

Actually, that's not really true, but thank you for proving my point that there are a lot of misconceptions about what the viral channel is supposed to be, and that it needs to be renamed (or at the very least needs a moderator of some sort).

You'd think that the viral channel would include videos that have gone viral, but this isn't the case. From the viral channel definition:

There are many definitions for the term "viral video" but those that belong in this channel are ones in which a product or service advertisement is attached whether obvious or stealthy.

When you think about it, if the viral channel were to include videos which have gone viral, it would be way too broad as pretty much every video on the internet wants to go viral or has gone viral. The viral channel needs someone like Deano who can enforce what goes in there and what doesn't.

Congrats GQ! No time to sit still and relax, however. 2010 just started, and you still have to find the next ultimate viral video!!!

Good job gwiz, btw. That's some *quality stalking.

What do you mean fake? Every time I see a saw blade cut through wood the sawdust always flies into the air a few inches then disappears. Must be real!

These viral video guys need to work harder at making their videos look actually homemade.

*promote

Here is the original viral video:

http://www.videosift.com/video/kid-gets-way-excited-about-his-new-game-system

>> ^antimatter:
fake

There are no real videos on the internet, didn't you know that? Somewhere in CERN there's a fake viral video generator that feeds the masses with clips to numb their sense of reality!

*nochannel *wheels *fear *actionpack

This has got to be a Viral video connected with McDonnalds!
Absolutely "No One" should get this excited about McDonnald's Food! EVER!

>> ^Pong:
Pretty clever publicity stunt by Hyundai. Get to capitalize on that viral video popularity and it only costs them one car.


Seriously, most commercials cost way more than that to make.

And a Transformers fan to boot... seemed kind of underwhelmed though. At the risk of spoiling their brilliant viral campaign (sorry), "Damn, I was hoping to move up from a Hyundai... wonder how much I can sell this for... oh wait, instant depreciation hit. Damn. ...."