Understanding Viral Videos

Kevin Alaka discusses how videos go viral on YouTube, highlighting the roles of tastemakers, community participation, and unexpectedness. He uses examples like Double Rainbow, Rebecca Black's Friday, and Nyan Cat to illustrate these concepts. The talk concludes with insights into the evolving nature of media and culture, emphasizing the democratization of fame and creativity in the digital age.

What are the three key factors that contribute to a video going viral according to Kevin Alaka?

• Taste makers, communities of participation, unexpectedness

• Celebrities, social media, advertising

• Quality, length, humor

• Timing, location, content

How did Bear Vasquez's Double Rainbow video become popular?

• It was featured on a popular TV show

• Jimmy Kimmel tweeted about it

• It was advertised on YouTube

• It was part of a viral marketing campaign

What role did taste makers play in the popularity of Rebecca Black's Friday?

• They produced a documentary about the video

• They criticized the video on social media

• They shared the video with a larger audience

• They created parodies of the video

What was a significant outcome of the community's engagement with Rebecca Black's Friday?

• The video was banned in several countries

• It inspired over 10,000 parodies

• The song was remixed by famous DJs

• It was turned into a feature film

What is Nyan Cat, and why is it significant in the context of viral videos?

• A famous cat video that won an award

• A popular meme that inspired a remix culture

• A documentary about internet culture

• A viral marketing campaign for a new product

How did the remix culture contribute to the popularity of Nyan Cat?

• It was featured in a popular video game

• It was used in a major advertising campaign

• It resulted in a variety of creative versions

• It led to the creation of a movie

What example does Kevin Alaka use to illustrate the unexpectedness factor in viral videos?

• Nyan Cat

• A viral dance challenge

• A famous travel vlog

• A popular cooking show

What does Kevin Alaka suggest about the future of media and culture?

• Traditional media will regain control

• Anyone can become part of pop culture

• Only celebrities will dominate the media

• Media will become less accessible

What is a key characteristic of the new kind of media discussed by Kevin Alaka?

• It is controlled by large corporations

• It is defined by audience participation

• It is limited to specific regions

• It relies heavily on traditional advertising

According to Kevin Alaka, what is not a characteristic of old media?

• Audience defines popularity

• Content is pre-approved by gatekeepers

• Limited access to content creation

• High production costs