For example, when a niche video of a skateboarder drinking cranberry juice while lip-syncing to Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” went viral in 2020, it wasn’t just one video that dominated the discourse. Users collected every iteration—the original, the celebrity homages, the dog versions, the failed attempts. These collections became a living museum of a cultural moment. By gathering disparate clips into a single narrative (e.g., “best of the trend”), users transform random noise into a searchable, discussable archive. Social media discussion then pivots from “What happened?” to “Which version was the best?” or “How did this evolve?” Thus, collection provides the raw data for critical and humorous analysis.
As the videos rack up likes and shares, the comment sections have become battlegrounds for a deeper debate.
Who is the ? (The person who filmed it or the person who crashed?)
Consider the “Sea Shanty” craze of early 2021. It began with one Scottish postman singing a solo. Within days, a “part-team” of musicians added a bass line, a harmony, a beatbox track, and a cello. The final viral product was a polyphonic masterpiece that no single person authored. Social media discussion around these videos focuses on credit, skill hierarchy, and innovation. Comment sections become negotiation tables: “He carried the team,” “She saved it with the bridge,” “The original was better.” This collaborative structure fosters a discussion that is inherently comparative and evaluative, turning a comment thread into a virtual directors’ commentary.
Once a video hits the "For You" page or the explore feed, the conversation shifts to the comments section and cross-platform sharing. This is where the true longevity of the content is built.
: A team-focused trend where coworkers are tricked into a "squat test" that ends in them looking like they are dancing at a club.