12.6. The Experience of Going Viral

While many people on social media post in hopes of getting attention and even going viral, those who have actually had their content go viral often have mixed feelings about it. For example, author Roxane Gay has said, “Content going viral is overwhelming, intimidating, exciting, and downright scary..”

The Washington Post wrote a series of articles on the experience of going viral, first On TikTok, instant fame often comes with a price: Sleepless nights, shadowbans and viral cruelty, and then Sorry you went viral. TikTok’s explosive stardom has created a new kind of celebrity. But nothing goes viral like rage.. Researcher Dr. Casey Fiesler was interviewed for these articles and talks more about it in this TikTok video:

@professorcasey Sorry you went viral. TikTok article from Washington Post! Features a lot of your favs plus co-authored by @Taylor Lorenz. Some more of my thoughts on virality, social media accordances, recommender systems, and Twitter vs TikTok. #tiktok #aiethics #recommendersystem #contentmoderation #contentcreators #greenscreen ♬ original sound - Dr. Casey Fiesler