I was goofing around on Twitter today and tried to think of the dumbest viral video trend possible (in the fashion of planking or Harlem Shake videos). Here’s what I came up with!
(I don’t know if these Twitter embeds will show up on a feed, so if not, click through to the post to read them.)
New viral trend: videos of people in public places suddenly opening their arms wide to reveal long streamers attached. “streaming videos”
— David Malki ! (@malki) February 21, 2013
It’ll be hard to Google. That’s what makes it UNDERGROUND
— David Malki ! (@malki) February 21, 2013
Business meeting? SUDDENLY, STREAMERS! Witness testimony? SUDDENLY, STREAMERS! State of the Union? SUDDENLY, STREA
— David Malki ! (@malki) February 21, 2013
It’ll be the new “you’re on Candid Camera!” “Madam, is this the body of your husband?” ~pulls back sheet~ SUDDENLY, STREAMERS!
— David Malki ! (@malki) February 21, 2013
Then it started to strike me as not just an idea for some funny video, but instead as commentary about the impulse to disrupt society:
The best SUDDENLY, STREAMERS videos are totally ineffectual. “Do you have the time?” SUDDENLY, STREAMERS! ~quiet fluttering for 30 seconds~
— David Malki ! (@malki) February 21, 2013
And the most interesting idea of all was psychologically getting into the head of some imaginary person who would — assuming that making SUDDENLY, STREAMERS! video is a prima facie dumb idea — nonetheless spend a lot of time and effort making them.
I’m now more interested in the sociology of a person trying to popularize SUDDENLY, STREAMERS videos despite all evidence that it’s terrible
— David Malki ! (@malki) February 21, 2013
Until finally…inevitably…the mad conclusion:
What I am saying is that I will mail an original drawing to the first 10 people who send me SUDDENLY, STREAMERS! videos
— David Malki ! (@malki) February 21, 2013
There has to be a Keyboard Cat-style music cue that always hits when the streamers come out
— David Malki ! (@malki) February 21, 2013
AND JUST A LITTLE WHILE LATER:
This is why I love the internet.
There’s still nine drawings unclaimed, everyone.
BONUS GREAT IDEA:
@malki I’m surprised “Batmanning” never took off. Turn camera sideways, pretend to climb Main Street.
— Dan S. (@elbasunu) February 21, 2013
OBLIGATORY KICKSTARTER UPDATE
The Machine of Death card game campaign is now over 500% funded and still going strong! I’ve been posting videos every day with updates. Thanks to those who are supporting the campaign, and we’re working on lots of cool new stuff to show you in the coming days!
There are also a few things I’d love some help with. Please email me (dave at wondermark dot com) if you are:
an infographics designer and would like to perhaps design an infographic for me. Please include links to past work, and your rate information.UPDATE: Got this. Thanks!- in the Southern California area and have an adorable kitten, just the sweetest, most adorable little thing. Ideally a little one, I’d say under six months old – and the rompier, the better. We need to make a video!
Thanks!