See an inspiring educational pep talk and an innovative customisable smartphone in our rundown of the top online clips
As nights are getting longer and winter is closing in, what better time to deliver some viral video sunshine, courtesy of Kid President, a boy who manages to just dodge the overbearingly cutesy bullet to slap a big smile on your face.
This week he's got a pep talk to teachers and students, commanding them to "look for the awesome". It is important to go to school because, he points out, if Shakespeare had not studied "his plays would be even more confusing". And don't feel intimidated by great thinkers such as Confucius, Einstein and, er, Justin Timberlake, as they put their trousers on one leg at a time, just like Kid President – though he does it while dancing.
If that's no cure for your wintertime blues, how about two generous gentlemen who decided to film their waiters as they discovered the $200 tip left on the table? For foreigners still unfamiliar with the US tipping system, the reactions of the servers may tug enough on the heartstrings to think twice about stiffing them next time. Then again, maybe not.
Continuing with the sunshine story theme, Spencer's Home Depot marriage proposal may just tip you over the edge. Imagine doing some furniture shopping only to stumble upon a dance troop resembling a Benetton ad strutting their stuff to a song called Somebody Loves You. Then family members enter the frame as well – and before you know it your partner gets down on one knee.
It looks almost too good to be true (though the awkwardness of the family members makes it look genuine). Judging by the huge number of views there are millions of people out there less cynical than we are.
Finally, Dave Hakkens' Phonebloks idea of consumers being able to build their own mobile phones is brilliant. Not only would they be custom made according to our individual needs – Phonebloks would also save the world from tons of poisonous discarded phones every year. There's a tiny problem, though – we'd have to convince the manufacturers that it's a good idea, as well. Maybe we could get Kid President to make a video on the subject ...
Guardian Viral Video Chart. Compiled by Unruly Media and whipped into shape by Helienne.
1. Phonebloks
Phone of the future?
2. Spencer's Home Depot Marriage Proposal
Shopping for love
3. Kid President's Pep Talk to Teachers and Students
The kid's alright
4. Tipping Servers $200
Tipped over the edge
5. The Scarecrow
Hit animated game trailer
6. Ohio University Marching 110 does The Fox by Ylvis
Down to the musical detail of the Norwegian hit
7. The Jewish Hunger Games: Kvetching Fire
Fasting furiously, no schtooping
8. Flying Kittens vs Flying Puppies (Slow Motion Battle)
Pets unleashed
9. Ben Affleck Tells Parenting Stories, Talks Batman
Kids say the darndest things
10. The Fox by Ylvis
Tiny paws up the hill
Source: Viral Video Chart. Compiled from data gathered at 14:00 on 19 September 2013. The Viral Video Chart is currently based on a count of the embedded videos and links on approximately 2m blogs, as well as Facebook and Twitter.
Digital media
Ben Affleck
United States
Helienne Lindvall
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