The Honey Badger: YouTube's Most Feared Video

Over the summer, I was introduced to an obscure video that a coworker showed me. Based on the title of this piece of writing, many of you probably already are aware of what I am talking about. This video can simply be titled “The Honey Badger.”

I had never heard of a honey badger prior to watching this video, and I don’t recommend the video as your most appropriate source to gain an education about them. However, it is slightly informative on some aspects of their life. As I began to watch the video, I was not sure what to think. I was not entirely drawn in at the start of the video. As I continued to watch it, though, I began to become more amused by it.

Now, there is really no good way to describe the video, and there is no for sure reason why it may be funny. To you, it might be completely stupid; you may absolutely hate it. I found it quite hysterical. I cannot really pinpoint why though. I think for the most part, it has to do with the narrator. He puts a very peculiar slant on things in a tone of voice that just makes it comical. It is incredibly dumb humor but also addictive. I would venture to say this video could be described as a satirical documentary of a sort.

Shortly after I saw it the first time, I began to hear more and more about it. The video went viral. Apparently people are into stupid humor and like to share it with others. Besides the video having over 32 million views, it has made headlines other places. There is now a pistachio commercial in which a honey badger cracks open the nut by whipping it with a snake. Or take Louisiana State University’s Tyrann Mathieu. He plays football for LSU and acquired the nickname The Honey Badger for his aggressive style of play. Along with the excessive views and other things, the honey badger video has also inspired several quotable lines. You have probably heard some of them said, but you just didn’t know where they came from.

I am not telling you that you need to go watch this video immediately. That is a choice for you to make on your own. I will forewarn you, there is vulgar language throughout the video. The video did inspire me to do a little reading on honey badgers. They are actually quite unique and incredible animals. Where my true amazement lies, though, is with the popularity of this video. Why are people so drawn into it? What makes a video go viral like the Honey Badger has? It is truly impressive how far the internet can take you in today’s current age.