From hugely important (work) wipeouts on YouTube to awkward moments on TikTok, there's something weirdly fascinating about watching someone fail online. It's the afraid-looking face, the noise and confusion, the "did that really just happen?" moment--and it's everywhere.
But why does failure content go so
viral? And what does it say about us?
Let's break down why the internet is constantly thinking about fails--and what's really going on behind the scenes..
Failure Is Relatable
Let's be honest: failure is
universal. No matter who you are, you've tripped, fumbled, messed up, or made a
total fool of yourself at some point. Watching others do the same feels...
weirdly comforting.
Fail videos remind us that everyone's
human.
Even (famous people on social
media), athletes, or small business starters have embarrassing moments. That
relatability makes them feel more real--and their content more (eat or drink
way too much)-worthy.
Humor + Schadenfreude = Viral Gold
There's a German word for it:
pleasure from someone else's troubles--the pleasure we get from seeing someone
else fail (as long as they're not seriously hurt).
Why does it hit so hard?
·
It's often unexpected and triggers
laughter.
·
It makes us feel better by comparison.
·
It gives a brief sense of (quality
of being better than everything else) (even if we don't admit it).
Fail content is a blend of comedy,
tension release, and human drama. That mix? Internet gold.
TikTok
+ Reels = Instant Cringe Delivery
Platforms like TikTok and Instagram
Reels have made it easier than ever to share fails in real-time:
- A failed makeup tutorial
- A gym mishap
- A botched cooking experiment
- Live reactions gone wrong
The short-form, up and down video
format is perfect for catching a single funny or painful moment. And thanks
to auto-loops, viewers often watch it again. And again. And again.
Why Your Brain Can’t Look Away
Fail videos trigger a cocktail of
brain responses:
- Dopamine
from laughter
- Empathy
from shared awkwardness
- Adrenaline
from secondhand embarrassment
And since the average ability to mentally
focus on something online is shrinking, instant emotional payoff (like a fall
or shrink down in fear or embarrassment moment) keeps viewers locked in longer
than polished, "perfect" content.
When Fails Go Too Far
There’s a darker side, too. Not all
fail content is harmless fun. Some videos:
- Invade people’s privacy
- Cross into bullying territory
- Exploit mental health or physical pain for clicks
The line between funny and cruel can
blur fast, and virality often rewards shock value over empathy.
The Redemption Arc: Why People Root for a Comeback
Interestingly, the internet doesn't
just love failure--it loves a comeback even more. Some of the most loved
creators today started out with viral fail moments. When people own their
failures, laugh at themselves, or grow from the moment, audiences connect on a
deeper level.
Failure becomes fuel for
relatability, toughness, and realness.
The Takeaway: We Love the Flaws
In a world
constantly thinking about filters, perfection, and collected content, fail
videos offer a raw, unfiltered look at life's messy moments. They make us
laugh, shrink down in fear or embarrassment, reflect--and remind us that nobody
has it all together.
So the next
time you see someone wipe out on a skateboard or forget their lines on stage,
remember: you're not laughing at failure--you're laughing with life.