As an avid user of Google Reader, a constant Twitter link clicker and a YouTube video forwarder, sometimes I sit down and ponder why certain things go viral. After all, it’s amazing how much exposure a video, trend, or person can get with just the right amount of pizazz. Is there really some sort of unspoken formula to going viral, or is it just random happenstance?

Of course, we all know what it looks like when a company, advertisement or person “tries too hard.” Sometimes it works (think MSI notebooks being hurled at someone’s buttocks) and other times…well, it doesn’t. That’s when you get the battery of insults and derision across the Internet, much to the chagrin of the highly mocked Windows 7 party planners.

Although it isn’t exact science, I think there are overarching reasons why someone forwards content. This conclusion came from moments of introspection. Why do I forward a link to a friend? Why do I laugh at certain videos?

It all goes back to one question: why do people tell other people things? Although this isn’t comprehensive, I think common answers would be -

1. We share things to entertain

2. We share things to inform

3. We share things to “wow”

Things sent for sheer entertainment like funny videos are self-explanatory, as well as news and gossip that are meant to inform. (Much like how news about Michael Jackson’s passing or the recent Balloon Boy debacle spread like wildfire). I think the third thing, the “wow” thing, is the tricky one. When I mean “wow,” I mean it’s something out of the ordinary, something rarely seen before.  To expand upon the “wow” reason, here are a few common themes that I have found:

Execessive use of simple things. Something as normal as coat hangers, jello, or rubiks cubes used in a massive amount to creative something new is usually enough to entice someone to send it along to their friends. Sure, these are everyday household items that nobody cares about. But when they’re a sculpture, a landscape, or a mural of the last supper, it’s a whole new beast.

Aesthetic designs of almost anything. Unique packaging, furniture, shoe, you name it - if it’s designed well and constructed in a way that isn’t often seen (much like the above reference to unique uses of simple objects) it’s something that people will inevitably ‘oooh’ and ‘ahh’ over.

Uncommon human and animal behavior. A baby that gives an uncanny ’serious evil look’ or a dog that can say “I love you.” These aren’t the typical things that babies and animals can do (at least, not any babies or dogs I know), so of course almost everybody and anybody would find it interesting…right?

What do you readers think?  Why do you pass along certain links and information, and why are certain things viral and others not?