I've been reminiscing about my college days lately, especially about how I interacted with entertainment on the internet. Back then, the viral video was a new concept, largely untouched by marketing execs and advertisers. It was in its purest form with the intent focused on college kids across the country making fools of themselves on YouTube for short-lived notoriety.

One of the first videos that caught my attention [and is now synonymous with my college experience] was "Milk and Cereal." It quickly became the anthem of college male roommates across the nation, and a number of different 'covers' popped up on YouTube. I saw what I believed was the original in my sophomore year, performed by two UC Berkeley students lip syncing to the song by G. Love and Special Sauce.

My friends and I would listen to the video over and over, and pretty much had it memorized. To this day, when anyone utters the words "milk and cereal" I always want to respond with "cereal and milk, cereal and milk." The video with the two lovable Asian boys was passed around the campus, especially since they were students at our college. I remember finding out who they were and even friend requesting them on Facebook. How silly is that? Then again, I also am Facebook buds with William Hung since he bangs [and we both bleed blue and gold].

Viral videos were fun, random, and lacked ambition which retrospectively seems refreshing. There were no fakers like Lonely Girl, or complete websites devoted to making 'funny viral videos' like College Humor or Funny or Die. YouTube was filled with amateurs, a haven for the new generation of America's Funniest Home Videos [sans commentary by Bob Saget], not aspiring actors.

My friend Sam showed me a great little time line that shows the internet memes, starting from the 1990s.



Thinking back, what was the first viral video that really struck you? I feel that there are so many great stories here--I would love to hear what you have to say in the comments. :)