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Tuesday, Apr 23, 2013 10:00 PM UTC

Happy birthday, YouTube

To celebrate: Eight classic videos and what they taught us VIDEO

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Topics: Video, YouTube, , ,

Happy birthday, YouTube (Credit: YouTube)

YouTube is 8 years old today. That means … nothing, really. YouTube still can’t get its learner’s permit, purchase cigarettes, vote, drink alcohol, etc.

But let’s celebrate, nonetheless, with a roundup of eight of its greatest time-wasting videos and the lessons they taught us:

David after dentist

Existential dread, per young David: “Why is this happening to me? Is this going to be forever?”


Otters holding hands

Will any of us ever know the tranquility of the otters holding hands? Not likely. And yet, we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past, you know?

The drunk bear

Do not eat too many fermented apples, bears.

Grape lady falls

Life is complicated. Sometimes, you’re stomping away at some grapes to the delight of the viewers at home. Other times, you take a hard fall, left with little else to say except, “Ouch, ouch, eeeuuuuuugh. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe.”

Kittens inspired by kittens

Kittens, if they could, would scream more.

Christian the lion

Sometimes, domesticating a wild animal and making it your pet will result in a lifelong bond and unbreakable attachments, instead of other stuff.

The honey badger

The honey badger doesn’t give a shit. And, sometimes, we all need to make a little like the honey badger.

Double rainbow

Sometimes life, in its grandeur, its beauty and its cruelty, is “too much” and you need someone to tell you “what it means.”

Katie McDonough is an assistant editor for Salon, focusing on lifestyle. Follow her on Twitter @kmcdonovgh or email her at kmcdonough@salon.com. More Katie Mcdonough.

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