The internet can sometimes be a pretty strange place. Because everyone has pretty much equal access, which trends go viral can be a democratic process – and what people choose to consume isn’t always what’s expected. Nowhere is this more true than in the realm of the online “challenge,” iterations of which we’ve seen blow up over the past few years.
Some of the most well-trained fighters on the internet have been sharing one very peculiar skill on social media – and a lot of famous faces have gotten involved.
The internet has really taken over the world.
Trying to imagine life before we had such constant online access seems almost impossible now. And because we’re now all so intrinsically connected, the internet can offer some us something pretty unique.
The fact is, basically anything goes online. It’s a place that’s both incredibly individualistic, but also gives us a sense of belonging and community – which sometimes leads to pretty strange results.
And when you have a space wherein literally millions of us can interact, that means there’s also a space wherein literally millions of us can compete.
That of the “online challenge.” Basically, someone comes up with a bizarre concept, dares others to try it, and it spirals out of control for a number of weeks … or until the next challenge comes along.
Perhaps the first online challenge, the cinnamon challenge peaked in popularity in early 2012. In this challenge, users had to hold a spoonful of the painful, powdery spice in their mouths for sixty seconds – a feat which proved near impossible.
In the summer of 2014, a popular social media trend involved dumping an entire bucket of ice water over one’s head. Rather than just being an unpleasant experience, it was supposed to raise awareness of ALS, too.
At the end of 2017, teens around the world decided to give into their basest instincts and start consuming Tide laundry pods. This challenge was actually incredibly dangerous and resulted in six deaths.
In some ways, they seem to appeal to our most unattractive qualities as humans – the desire to show off, the desire to fit in, and, of course, the desire to get attention.
And the latest challenge that has taken the internet by storm is surprisingly skillful – and actually interesting to watch.
On June 28th, the star posted a video of him spinning a bottle cap off using only his swiftly moving foot, tagging pal, John Mayer, to do the same.
While Holloway had tagged celebrities, many “normal people” got in on the action, eager to see if they could pull of the trick – with impressive results.
Some of the joke responses to Holloway’s incredible skill were absolutely hilarious.
But perhaps the most impressive example of all?