Going Viral

I’ve been wondering for a while why certain YouTube clips go viral among Iranian Americans while others obviously don’t. Are there videos that go particularly viral among the second generation? An example that comes to mind is the “I love you America” video that I had sent to me by a second generation friend I met in LA (if you're on the homepage click "read more" below to see the vid -- or tell me how I can get it to post without people having click).


Anyway, before I knew it, people were posting it all over Facebook and referencing it in conversations, jokes, face-to-face, on the phone, and of course our hero was “Iranian of the day” on Iranian.com. Seeing this, and the 87,000+ views  it got on YouTube, I guess we could say it went viral. So, what's the appeal? 

A friend to whom I showed the video said it was all about the genuineness of the singer - the fact that he represents his own, very particular, and very candid way of being both Iranian and American at the same. The more people I talked to the more I heard about the importance of being real and honest online. Why this emphasis when it comes to online communications? Is it because we must always beware of fakes on the net? Or is it, rather, because the internet is a particularly effective medium for sharing in honest and open ways?

Strong Aversion to the "Persian Version"

The reactions started immediately. I have to admit, my own gut couldn't hold back its impulsive reaction to possibly the newest addition to the quality MTV programing that graces our screens across the globe. Hot on the heels of the announcement came the angry, sarcastic, concerned, ridiculing, responses from Iranian Americans. I secretly felt quite proud. But apart from the obvious low-brow -ness of the whole thing, is there a more precise reason why the Persian Version strikes such as sensitive chord with us?

Peggy Levitt and my insecurities about 2nd Gen LA Iranians

In a few days highly esteemed scholar on Transnationalism, Peggy Levitt from Wellesley College, will be visiting our department. She makes these visits to us from time to time. Last time I told her about my research plans. This time I've recently returned from the field, so I'm expected to have all sorts of interesting things to say about the way Iranians of the second immigrant generation in LA use the internet.