March 2010 April 2010 May 2010 June 2010 July 2010
August 2010
September 2010 October 2010
November 2010
December 2010 January 2011 February 2011 March 2011 April 2011 May 2011 June 2011 July 2011 August 2011 September 2011 October 2011 November 2011 December 2011 January 2012 February 2012 March 2012 April 2012 May 2012 June 2012 July 2012 August 2012 September 2012 October 2012 November 2012 December 2012 January 2013 February 2013 March 2013 April 2013 May 2013 June 2013 July 2013 August 2013 September 2013 October 2013 November 2013 December 2013 January 2014 February 2014 March 2014 April 2014 May 2014 June 2014 July 2014 August 2014 September 2014 October 2014 November 2014 December 2014 January 2015 February 2015 March 2015 April 2015 May 2015 June 2015 July 2015 August 2015 September 2015 October 2015 November 2015 December 2015 January 2016 February 2016 March 2016 April 2016 May 2016 June 2016 July 2016 August 2016 September 2016 October 2016 November 2016 December 2016 January 2017 February 2017 March 2017 April 2017 May 2017 June 2017 July 2017 August 2017 September 2017 October 2017 November 2017 December 2017 January 2018 February 2018 March 2018 April 2018 May 2018 June 2018 July 2018 August 2018 September 2018 October 2018 November 2018 December 2018 January 2019 February 2019 March 2019 April 2019 May 2019 June 2019 July 2019 August 2019 September 2019 October 2019 November 2019 December 2019 January 2020 February 2020 March 2020 April 2020 May 2020 June 2020 July 2020 August 2020 September 2020 October 2020 November 2020 December 2020 January 2021 February 2021 March 2021 April 2021 May 2021 June 2021 July 2021 August 2021 September 2021 October 2021 November 2021 December 2021 January 2022 February 2022 March 2022 April 2022 May 2022 June 2022 July 2022 August 2022 September 2022 October 2022 November 2022 December 2022 January 2023 February 2023 March 2023 April 2023 May 2023 June 2023 July 2023 August 2023 September 2023 October 2023 November 2023 December 2023 January 2024 February 2024 March 2024 April 2024 May 2024 June 2024 July 2024 August 2024 September 2024 October 2024
News Every Day |

Want to go viral this #Halloween? It’s all about tapping into fun, fears and algorithms

Here they come: an apron and tattoos that make you look like chef Carmy from The Bear, or weird insect-like accessories resembling the infamous Paris Fashion Week bedbugs – new year, new over-the-top inventive Halloween trends. Thanks to the proliferation of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, we’re in for a treat for this year’s online Halloween extravaganza.

What used to be a traditional holiday celebrated with reverence by the people remembering the religious meaning of All Hallow’s Eve, or simply an excuse for phantasmagorical parties by those who didn’t, Halloween is now exhibiting a whole new digital layer.

Last year, the hashtag #Halloween was viewed three billion times in a week. We live in a time of “information fatigue”, “information anxiety” or even “infobesity”, as some academics call our oversaturated media environment, with plentiful, often unpleasant stimuli coming from the news and social media.


No one’s 20s and 30s look the same. You might be saving for a mortgage or just struggling to pay rent. You could be swiping dating apps, or trying to understand childcare. No matter your current challenges, our Quarter Life series has articles to share in the group chat, or just to remind you that you’re not alone.

Read more from Quarter Life:


All this badly affects our biological systems, which have not developed as fast as the media environment. As a result, we are overwhelmed, anxious, overstimulated and struggling with processing so much information. It is hard to cut through this noise, whether you’re a journalist, politician, influencer or just someone having fun in a pumpkin latte costume.

In my research on viral journalism, I discovered that even professional communicators struggle to keep up with the changes in social media algorithms and various new functions of these platforms. Many feel discouraged by the non-transparency of social media giants and prefer to rely on classic principles of strong reporting and creative presentation formats. But what are the triggers for media virality for those who still want their posts to explode online?

Not a virus, but a choice

Halloween, like St Valentine’s Day and other annual celebrations, presents a chance to be the new viral sensation, simply because using the hashtag #Halloween instantly grants additional visibility.

Virality stands on two pillars – the opaque algorithms of social networks, and people’s emotional reactions. Unlike viruses, from which the word “viral” originates, virality online is not a malady, but a choice. People instinctively choose content that will satisfy their needs. These can be having something to think about, or a distraction, so we don’t have to think about other things going on in the world.

Engagement with stories online is seldom rational – research has shown that emotions dominate our relationship with news and social media. The feelings of awe, anger and anxiety are the strongest predictors for a post to go viral.

So how, when creating content, do we achieve the coveted reaction of “awe”? This feeling can be described in a variety of ways, from a religious epiphany, to deep appreciation because we’re impressed, to the sense of calm experienced through nature. This is where the theory of memes can help.

Halloween costumes on social media are, essentially, wearable and broadcastable memes. These, as my book Internet Memes and Society explains, are half-baked jokes and weird cryptic artefacts that tempt users to figure out why they are supposed to be funny.

Memes are used as everyday language, political tools, and “fast-food” media. Will a costume based on Only Murders in the Buildings’ Christmas fitness influencer make it to viral stardom? Will it be another take on the brat summer? Or perhaps some twisted commentaries on the cost-of-living crisis?

Theories of humour and Halloween costumes

I predict that virality this season will demand either to go full-on maximalist, or be understated and minimalist. The theories of humour stand on three pillars: humour as release, humour as aggression, and humour as incongruity.

Perhaps we will also see the manifestations of what Plato called comedy as scorn: “Taken generally,” the ancient Greek philosopher mused, “the ridiculous is a certain kind of evil, specifically a vice.” Expect the highest-earning or most influential celebrities to be shoved off their pedestal and roundly mocked in a Halloween costume.

What about incongruity? Some of the more absurd costumes from last year featured a drink coaster and a paper bag, or a man dressed as a ULEZ street camera. These examples generate a reaction of awe, surprise and glee, making the posts worthy of sharing.

And finally, release. Humour is invaluable when it comes to dissipating worries or letting off steam. The recent viral sensation from the music band The Kiffness’ “Eating the cats” ft Donald Trump hilariously reimagined a phrase from the US presidential debate as a soft reggae hit – and a hit it has become, amassing eight million views in a matter of weeks.

This Halloween will surely see a couple of TikTokers dressed as cats, or dogs, or even “a catalogue of other things to eat”. Humour allows us to reveal the ridiculousness of certain political claims, and therefore serves as a soothing tool that unites people and challenges those in power through mockery.

Virality as modern mythology

Virality – memes included – forms the modern mythology. The media informs our collective identities and often the things we think about, which means the themes of this Halloween will most likely reveal what people are scared of as a way to release those fears.

Who will people mock because they feel intimidated by a particular public figure’s power, wealth, talent, influence, looks or profile (aggression). Or who or what do people find awe-inspiring or puzzling this year (incongruity)?

After all, Halloween is the one time of the year that reminds people of the medieval carnivals of the 14th century – the only time jesters and critics could come to the main square and have a go at the king. The digital carnival (as academics like myself sometimes call the digital mockery of the elites) is not limited to a specific time in the year.

The never-ending flow of ridicule, sarcasm and dressing up online never ceases to amaze viral studies academics. But the end of October sees a particular concentration of this subversion, attracting the attention of the digital crowds seeking to laugh at the rich, famous and powerful.

People form and negotiate cultural codes through viral cultures, by choosing what posts to share, like, and comment on. Through these interactions, valuable meanings and identities emerge, and it will be fascinating to see which meanings the collective beehive wants to focus on this Halloween 2024. Whether that’s Carmy Berzatto in his blue apron or the cats and dogs of Springfield.

Anastasia Denisova does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Симферополь

Прогноз погоды в Крыму на 27 октября

Lindsay Hubbard's Baby Shower Details Revealed, Including Which 'Summer House' Co-Stars Attend

Revealed: SC Freedom Caucus leader had numerous electronics seized by federal officers

Inside the dark world of randy sex pest dolphins who terrorise swimmers & try to ROMP with humans

You need the eyes of a movie hero to spot the 5 horror villains lurking near the crime scene in under 90 secs

Ria.city






Read also

Catching Up With The Sex Lives of Super Graphic Ultra Modern College Girls

EU ‘attaches particular importance’ to Cyprus problem for Turkey relations

CRFFN gets new registrar

News, articles, comments, with a minute-by-minute update, now on Today24.pro

News Every Day

You need the eyes of a movie hero to spot the 5 horror villains lurking near the crime scene in under 90 secs

Today24.pro — latest news 24/7. You can add your news instantly now — here


News Every Day

Lindsay Hubbard's Baby Shower Details Revealed, Including Which 'Summer House' Co-Stars Attend



Sports today


Новости тенниса
WTA

Рыбакина узнала первую сопернику на Итоговом турнире WTA-2024



Спорт в России и мире
Москва

«Зенит» разгромил «Самару» в матче Единой лиги ВТБ



All sports news today





Sports in Russia today

Москва

Мебельная компания «Мария» поддержит шахматистку-вундеркинда из Саратова


Новости России

Game News

Рецензия на игра Metaphor: ReFantazio


Russian.city


Москва

Автобус въехал в лес в Мытищах


Губернаторы России
Бизнес

Компания «Мария» рассказала о новых решениях для девелопмента на конференции Московского Бизнес-клуба


Межрегиональный фестиваль татарской культуры «Милли көй» пройдет в Нижнем Новгороде

В Якутии вводят туристический налог. Предприниматель из Олекминска: как они собираются отличать туриста от вахтовика и нефтяника

В Мытищах состоялась отчетно-выборная конференция профсоюза жизнеобеспечения


Игорь Бутман: "Я люблю, когда у музыкального коллектива каждый день новый город"

Недостаток витаминов или древний инстинкт: токсиколог Кутушов рассказал, что толкает людей есть землю

Органистка Мария Макаренко выступит с концертом «Бах и органные миры» для псковичей

Концерт с песнями группы Metallica был отменен еще в апреле, а организатор до сих пор уклонялся от возврата денег за билеты


Арина Соболенко ударила по голове фотографа. Видео

Елена Рыбакина вылетела на Итоговый турнир WTA

Стефанос Циципас одержал 100-ю победу на турнирах серии «Мастерс»

Рахимова обыграла Приданкину и вышла в 1/4 финала турнира WTA в Цзюцзяне



Компания «Мария» рассказала о новых решениях для девелопмента на конференции Московского Бизнес-клуба

Отделение СФР предоставило 11 жителям региона с нарушениями зрения собак-поводырей

Компания «Мария» рассказала о новых решениях для девелопмента на конференции Московского Бизнес-клуба

Заместитель управляющего Отделением Фонда пенсионного и социального страхования Российской Федерации по г. Москве и Московской области Алексей Путин: «Клиентоцентричность - наш приоритет»


AMD's Dr. Lisa Su predicts AI GPU market will grow to $500 billion by 2028 or 'roughly equivalent to annual sales for the entire semiconductor industry in 2023'

Собянин рассказал о развитии дорожной сети возле станций метрополитена

Собянин поздравил команду Москвы с победой на чемпионате «Абилимпикс»

Компания «Мария» рассказала о новых решениях для девелопмента на конференции Московского Бизнес-клуба


В Москве проходит значимый для времени российский культурологический конгресс

Президент Венесуэлы Мадуро: нужно увеличить частоту авиарейсов для россиян

В России в 2031 году могут запретить пользователям самокатов ездить по тротуарам

Новая котельная в Подмосковье снабжает теплом 6 тыс. человек



Путин в России и мире






Персональные новости Russian.city
Михаил Кутушов

Как руководителю организовать день и выжить в потоке созвонов



News Every Day

Inside the dark world of randy sex pest dolphins who terrorise swimmers & try to ROMP with humans




Friends of Today24

Музыкальные новости

Персональные новости