Lena Kardos Assignment 5 Soc 167

Lena Kardos

Assignment #5

The Cinnamon Challenge is a meme that became popular in 2007 (Google Insights for Search, 2004-2007) via YouTube for its ease of attempt (i.e.: accessibility to household items), simple procedure, and extreme reactions. This meme involves an individual attempting to swallow a tablespoon of cinnamon without coughing or vomiting and without drinking water (Know Your Meme, 2007-20013) in under 60 seconds (Wikipedia, 2013). This meme is attractive because anyone can do it; all it requires is cinnamon, a spoon, and a camera. It also seems very easy, which is why many people attempt it, thinking they can easily complete the challenge. The usual result, however, is that the individual coughs out a puff of orange accompanied by a facial expression of pain. He/she then typically runs to a source of water to flush the cinnamon out of the mouth. The challenger generally uploads the video to YouTube, allowing Internet users to compare their own experience or to get inspired to video their own.

            The meme gained an initial interest in the Internet community in September of 2007, peaked in October, and then died down by the end of that year. Since then, there have been moments of heightened popularity, but not as much as when it first appeared. However, in December of 2011, its popularity started back on the rise. By February of 2012, the Cinnamon Challenge was more popular than it had ever been by far (Google Insights for Search, 2004-2007). So many Internet users were attempting the challenge and posting their videos that news reports depicting the health hazards became prevalent. At this time, the popularity of the meme slowed, although it is still circulating and being attempted today (Google Insights for Search, 2004-2007).

            A meme that may have been influenced by this one is the Saltine Challenge. This involves an individual attempting to eat six saltine crackers without drinking anything in under 60 seconds (Wikipedia, 2013). Although this meme emerged around the same time as the Cinnamon Challenge, one may have been perpetuated the other. For example, a user could have learned about and attempted the Cinnamon Challenge, and then went searching for similar memes like the Saltine Challenge.

            Here is a collage video of the Cinnamon Challenge: 

And a clip of the puff of orange many challengers experience: 

Sources:

1. Google Insights for Search - Web Search Interest: "cinnamon challenge" - Worldwide, 2004-2007, Google Insights for Search. http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=%22cinnamon%20challenge%22&date=1/2004%2048m&cmpt=q.

2. Know Your Meme. Cinnamon Challenge, 2007-2013. http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/cinnamon-challenge.

3. Wikipedia. Cinnamon Challenge, 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon_challenge#cite_note-GoogleInsights-5.

4. Wikipedia. Saltine cracker challenge, 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saltine_cracker_challenge.