Blue Helm

Apparently, Hitler likes the 1982 Disney film, Tron.

I’ll admit that I liked a lot of the videos on YouTube parodying Hitler in the the 2004 film, Downfall. I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something hilarious about one of world’s most villainous tyrants throwing a hissy fit over banal pop culture events such as Tiger Woods’ affair, Susan Boyle and the Twilight DVD.

But, as many of you savvy news junkies out there already know, the film’s distributor, Constantin Film, asked YouTube to remove all Downfall parodies from the site. Many are still up, but it irks me that such a large film production company (or any company) is so completely dim that it would attempt to kill all viral content celebrating one of its products. Sure the videos are parodies, but they still have the potential of driving thousands of people to watch the original clip, if not the original film. How, in this Viral Age, can companies still think they can censor or destroy user-generated content online?

Corynne McSherry, an attorney specializing in intellectual property and free speech issues, has already said that the parodies constitute fair use and aren’t infringing on any copyrighted material. It’s satire, which is protected speech. But regardless, Constantin Film should be embracing the free attention its film is getting from this huge online phenomenon. Don’t bight the hand that feeds you.

Needless to say, Hitler is not happy.

I’ve posted several hilarious videos in my previous “YouTube Gems” editions (click here and here if you have extra time to watch them), but a YouTube Gem doesn’t have to be funny. Funny is great, but I think a viral video can also be smart, emotional, scary, intense, or just plain cool.

Maybe this edition will expose my nerdy side a little too much, but I just love how far technology has evolved. Check out these cool/remarkable robot videos:

This robot is amazing. One of the biggest challenges engineers have in making a truly mobile robot is balance. When you balance you’re using hundreds of muscles just to stay upright. When someone pushes you or when you walk on ice or any type of uneven or abnormal terrain, you use another set of muscles and brain functions just so you don’t fall over. With that in mind take a look at this incredible robot:

The fluid and quick motions of these robots is pretty amazing:

This is just cool. Look out Wall-E:

No post dedicated to robots is complete with out seeing some classic robot fighting:

What are some cool videos you like?

Cozy up to social media more often.

Using social media all of the time can get a little tedious. When you’re using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blog, or other forms of social media, it’s easy to get bogged down. You get wrapped up in making sure you post to your blog, that you tweet or that you check your Facebook News Feed. These online activities are all important (particularly for your business), but you need to make sure you’re having fun with it!

Take a few minutes today to rekindle your love for one of your social networks. Get on your blog and write about something different and exciting. Go on YouTube and watch some videos that make you laugh (click here and here to see a few of my favorites). Get on Twitter and try to connect with someone in your industry. Don’t just follow them, connect with them. Log onto Facebook and really get in touch with an old friend. Actually message them and start a genuine conversation. If you’re only seeing their updates from time to time, then you haven’t really re-connected with them.

Have fun, do something meaningful, renew your love!

What do you do to keep your social love affair going?

I want to apologize for not posting more of these awesome videos. I’ll try to be more diligent in the future. If these videos aren’t enough for you today then check out the last time I did a YouTube gem tribute. What are some of your favorites?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRbhE3GRiUE&feature=player_embedded
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgee4_aOPWw
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnjb8Hx76u8&NR=1
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7ehztRDhZc

Coca-Cola’s new “Happiness Machine” video is viral genius, plain and simple. Released earlier this month, it topped one million YouTube views this week, and was almost entirely shared through social networks like Twitter, Facebook and blogs.

Social media and viral marketing is about people, not products. Coca-Cola gets that, and successfully produced a compelling, entertaining and human campaign that connects with the consumer in a deeper, more memorable way than a traditional advertisement might. Ravi Sawhney said it perfectly in his Fast Company blog post yesterday:

“How can designers create these special moments–this magic? And not just ‘viral video’ magic, but that everyday life magic of the emotional connection that bonds people with your brand. Can we conceive of the complete story and lead people down a path of creating smiles?”

If your social media campaigns aren’t cultivating inspiration, motivation and smiles, you’re probably doing something wrong.