The Virality of Common Sense Vs. Tebowing

In the 18^th century the use of paper extended through the rich elites and no longer had an assigned social class. It always had a particular level of accessibility. Though paper was not widely produced or easily accessible- it was the up-and-coming form of communication. Martin Luther used words on paper to express his feelings towards Catholicism and Thomas Paine used paper but also the voice of prestigious people.

Paine proposed that U.S separate themselves from Great Britain and gain their independence. Once it reached George Washington he then read it to his troops. In this instance Washington acted as Jimmy Kimmel did to the “Double Rainbow” video, he was the tastemaker for Paine. The written record as well as the historical occurrence through the spread of mouth led to the idea of “Common Sense”, going viral. The mode of communication for the “Tebowing” meme is similar in the sense to that of Paine but just on a different and more advanced platform. This platform began through with television and then more specifically onto sports shows and then social networks. These social networks continued to create the virality that Washington did to Paine. The big difference between the two is that the idea behind Tebow was accessible through several platforms because of the advanced technology we have today. Paine’s “Common Sense” was only accessible through text and word of mouth, it was almost time biased. Because of social media today it creates a more space-biased society in many ways.

Mode of communication is the central and key aspect to Paine’s “Common Sense” as well as memes that portray Tim Tebow and additional “Tebower’s” doing the “Tebow”. During Tebow’s one and only good year as a full time starter he became notorious for his TD celebrations; at least that is what people interpreted it as. He would get down on one knee, make a fist, rest his head in his on his knuckles and then close his eyes. This was not a celebration but more of a prayer in which he would do, once again, after scoring touchdowns, before, after and during. It was more of a religious gesture to God than an actual reference to the game. People saw it as a celebration, which led to memes, as well as other athletes “Tebowing” after a successful play in their respective sport (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHGcoeSu4Tg). The sports networks was the tastemaker for his signature celebration. This went viral through the television, athletes and then through the photos, which created the memes. It eventually acquired a vast symbolization and meaning.

Both Paine’s speech as well as Tebow’s celebration went viral for the same reasons. By looking at Nahon’s and Helmsley’s definition of “going viral” one can see how both fall under the same category. “Virality" is a social information flow process where many people simultaneously forward a specific information item, over a short period of time, within their social networks, and where the message spreads beyond their own [social] networks to different, often distant networks, resulting in a sharp acceleration in the number of people who are exposed to the message” (Polity Press, 2013). Common sense was not only proposed but further exposed through Washington. The book as well as the meme created many emotions of happiness, triumph and success. They then added to their capital and power in their own way. Tebow’s popularity greatly increased and so did Paine’s notion along with the notion of independence.

Virality can be measured for both Tebow and Paine. The basis of both of their acts was both shared through individuals. The next key aspect is that neither concept was prominent right away, but both concepts spread quickly once the tastemakers took over. The exposure was infinite as they could both reach through the word of mouth. Paine’s was more through text and Washington’s speech as Tebow was through modern social media and television. In the end there are less restrictions and modern “virality” can extend to further ends.