'The Thriller' by Hal Lasko, as featured in 'The Pixel Painter' by Josh Bogdan and Ryan Lasko on Vimeo
We take a look at some of the most-viewed and most-shared videos on the web. This week features a phallic doodle, some lessons in German language, a talkative porcupine, a robot training in parkour, a pair of whales with big appetites, a two-wheeled ginger ninja, a little fright and a 97-year-old man creating beautiful art with Microsoft Paint.
About 100 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute, 500 years of video watched on Facebook every day, and more than 700 YouTube videos shared on Twitter each minute, ensuring there is always video trending on the web.
With so much video available for viewing, we take a look at some of the viral videos that have caught our eye this week.
News reporter draws penis
No matter how advanced we become as human beings, it seems nothing will ever stop us having a giggle at a doodle of the male genitalia, and this reporter’s accidentally phallic drawing and its millions of views proves that. (And, as anyone that has seen Superbad knows, about 8pc of people just can’t help drawing them.)
Uploaded: 23 July 2013
How German sounds compared to other languages
The German language gets a bad rap for its harsh consonants and cumbersome word formations, and, when certain words are served up side-by-side with their French, Italian, Spanish and English counterparts, the results will likely elicit a laugh at the Germans’ expense. A spot of schadenfreude, even.
Uploaded: 19 July 2013
Two-wheeled ginger ninja
The title of this video sets you up for a spectacular sight, so hold on to your butts: this is going to be a bumpy ride.
Uploaded: 25 July 2013
Skim board high-five fail
From one fail to another, the best laid plans of pulling off a skim board high five by slinging the boarder around the boat are poorly executed (which probably makes for a better video, in fairness).
Uploaded: 24 July 2013
Kemosabe’s tree fort
Kemosabe is a prehensile porcupine, or coendou, living at Animal Wonders in Montana, US. He’s not afraid to talk with his mouth full, either, and gets very chatty while chowing down on some banana. Listen to his childlike coos and, if you stick it out beyond the two-minute mark, you’ll also learn more about this South American rodent.
Uploaded: 23 July 2013
RHex the Parkour Robot
From one of nature’s beasts to a creation made by man, this all-terrain walking robot in development at the University of Pennsylvania is learning parkour to help it overcome all sorts of obstacles. The name RHex means ‘robot hexapod’, referring to its six springy legs, which make free running a doddle.
Uploaded: 23 July 2013
Whales almost eat divers
These divers off the coast of central California had an extremely close call with a pair of hungry, hungry humpbacks, just about escaping the fate of the fabled Jonah.
Uploaded: 20 July 2013
The Pixel Painter
97-year-old Hal Lasko (soon to be 98, according to his website) once worked as a graphic artist in the days before computers revolutionised how images are created. In those days, everything was done by hand and it was a painstaking, meticulous process. Long after his retirement, Lasko was introduced to computers by his family and came across the basic image-making software Microsoft Paint. Lasko now spends 10 hours a day painting with pixels using this programme, which allows him to continue creating beautiful images despite his failing vision. Watch this short documentary directed by his grandson Ryan Lasko to find out more about ‘The Pixel Painter’ and feel inspired.
Uploaded: 21 July 2013
Jack and the party blower
We bid you adieu from this week’s video round-up with this moment of terror, when baby Jack encounters his first ever party noisemaker. Eek!
Uploaded: 26 July 2013
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