Cringe as Ultimate Evil: Cringe is considered the ultimate sin online; it's the most unforgivable action in the eyes of internet communities.
Virality of Cringe: Cringy content often goes viral, sparking debates and negative reactions.
Viral Cringe Videos Discussed
Pancake Boilerplate Video
Content: Woman celebrates her pancakes with an exaggerated, goofy dance.
Reaction: Video received over 100 million views; sparked intense debate online.
Public Response: Mixed reactions; some found it humorous, while others were annoyed and disgusted.
Impact: The performer responded to negative comments aggressively, which led to more backlash.
Love Surge Video
Content: Couple demonstrates an overly affectionate routine called 'Love Surge.'
Reaction: Highly criticized; people found it extremely cringy and responded with hate comments.
Performer’s Reaction: Posted a follow-up video to express the hurt caused by the hate comments. This follow-up led to even harsher comments.
Analysis of Online Behavior
Weaponized Cringe: Cringe can be seen as a 'weapon' used to attack people online. Those who post cringy content are often subjected to extreme backlash.
Nature of Online Hate: When people dislike something online, they often express their disapproval in the most extreme ways possible.
Anonymity and True Colors: Anonymity often reveals people's true nature, which, unfortunately, is not very kind.
Broader Implications
Comparison to Real-Life Events: Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign suffered from a cringy outburst known as the 'Dean Scream,' illustrating that the disdain for cringe isn't limited to the internet.
Forgiveness in Online Culture: People are more likely to forgive severe transgressions than cringy behavior—e.g., Chris Brown's continued success despite his criminal record.
Final Thoughts
Cringe elicits extreme emotional responses and harsh judgments from internet users.
The cultural expectation to share personal moments for online validation can backfire, leading to public shaming.
Online communities have little tolerance for what they perceive as “cringe,” often leading to ongoing cycles of negativity and backlash.