Rickrolling: the ultimate prank
It has been over a decade since the Rickroll phenomenon took over the internet. Yet, to this day, people still fall for it. For those not in the know, Rickrolling is a prank in which a person is sent a hyperlink that, unbeknownst to them, leads them to the music video of Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up.'
You might be wondering, what makes this particular music video the ultimate meme? The answer: scientific experimentation.
Researchers have found that the song has a near-perfect "hookability" rate. This means that after listening to it, the song remains stuck in your head for a prolonged period of time. In turn, this means that the chances of a person clicking on a Rickroll link are much higher than any other type of hyperlink.
But it's not just the music itself that makes it a successful prank. The video is just as important. Featuring Astley dancing in front of colourful backgrounds, it's so comically outdated that it's become a form of nostalgia for millennials and Gen Z.
Moreover, the Rickroll has become a kind of internet-wide in-joke. It's not just confined to tricking your friends; it's now become a reference point across the internet. For example, many official sites have used Rickrolling as a way of announcing new features or products.
Celebrities have also got in on the act. In 2016, the Foo Fighters famously Rickrolled the Westboro Baptist Church, causing them to abandon their protest. Earlier this year, Astley appeared in a TikTok trend where people uploaded videos of themselves singing along to 'Never Gonna Give You Up.'
It's a prank that has longevity. The Rickroll has appeared in numerous films, such as Guardians of the Galaxy and Wreck-It Ralph, and even found its way into video games like Fortnite and Grand Theft Auto.
So, what's the science behind a successful Rickroll? Firstly, it's important to remember that people tend to have a herd mentality. If a link has been clicked on by a large number of people, we're much more likely to click on it too. This can be encouraged by the addition of fake comments, likes, and other engagement signals.
There's also the matter of social currency. Being bopped by a Rickroll is often seen as a form of internet initiation. It's a joke that everyone is in on, so a person who hasn't been Rickrolled may feel like they're not fully immersed in the online world.
Lastly, it's important to recognise that the Rickroll is a harmless prank. It doesn't hurt anyone and often results in a laugh. In a world where trolls and cyberbullying are so prevalent, the Rickroll reminds us that sometimes, it's good to just enjoy the simpler things in life.
And let's face it, who doesn't want to see Rick Astley busting some moves?
