by Sebastian Rose

Created on: December 07, 2008

Lets face it, pranks are funny. It is basic human nature to laugh at the misfortune of others. People walking into glass doors, falling down and other abnormal behavior is hilarious. Online prank videos capture these moments for eternity and allow everyone to enjoy the fun over and over and over again. While online videos can have a malicious intent, the prank is nothing like that at all. The intent is to catch people being too involved in a virtual realm. Every day people are becoming more and more immersed in online facilities that every now and then someone needs to wake them up. And the best method of awakening someone from the lull of LCD screens and stereo speakers is to prank them. There is nothing like having Billy from Human Resources turning up the volume to a movie he cannot hear only to have his speakers scream "I love Thai hookers!" on repeat until he furiously spins the volume knobs down with a red flushed face. There isn't any harm being done there but now Billy can be more aware of whats going. He will not just blindly walk through his Facebook wall to check new movies and updates. He will actually be a more savvy computer user, even though the price was laughter at his expense. People need humor and the online prank video is now just another outlet. Almost like a virtual toilet papering. Harmless fun at the expense of someone's super inflated ego.

People think they can browse the Internet without any harm coming their way, prank videos are wakeup calls to those people. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. The Internet is not a safe place. People are out there trying to steal your bank information, credit card information and anything else they can find out about you. If you are going to fall for a prank, wouldn't you rather it be a prank video on your myspace or facebook? Take the example of this child: "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh87njiWTmw ", the next time he plays a game he will not be so submerged in the virtual environment and we probably won't see the same reaction that occurred there, even though it is really funny. This is the prank at its purest, catching the victim completely off guard and in a heightened state of perception. When they think they are in control, suddenly the prank jumps out and takes over. The prank is a funny way of telling people to lighten up and keep on your toes no matter what situation you are placed in. It shouldn't be looked at as harmful, but beneficial to the people who are pranked. So vote yes on proposition funny and watch out when you get past level three of the scary maze!

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