We've found the 10 best fake technology and science web videos, guaranteed. From subtle hoaxes to clever goofs, we've got all the comedy classics you probably believed at the time. You eon't believe your eyes. With good reason.
You won't believe your eyes. With good reason
Cheap digital video production, video sharing sites such as YouTube, and relatively easy digital manipulation with Photoshop and other tools have created a perfect storm for online tricksters who want to pay homage to their favourite gadgets, make fun of overhyped tech or simply fool people into thinking that a new scientific (and occasionally alien) breakthrough has occurred.
Fakes, hoaxes, spoofs, and scams: we technology enthusiasts love a good joke. So here are 10 of the best:
Quick links:
- The ZunePhone and World of Warcraft
- Wii, PlayStation 3, GoogleTV
- The Nintendo On, and the great rubbish game hoax
- Free energy and a bulletproof buggy
- Aliens and UFOs
The ZunePhone
What might Microsoft's eventual response to the iPhone look like? Enter the ZunePhone, a clever parody of Apple's iPhone TV commercials that hit 300,000 views in its first six days on YouTube.
Old-school Windows users will giggle over the faux ZunePhone's spam load and the touchscreen that allows for rotary-phone dialing, but it's the clock perpetually flashing 12:00 that seals the comic deal. ZunePhone spoofs are legion online, of course. Don't miss this more obvious ZunePhone fanboy gag if you can spare another minute.
The Zunephone
World of Warcraft and Leeroy Jenkins
You don't have to play World of Warcraft to dig some of its more laughable moments, but none is as famous and as outright hysterical as the ballad of Leeroy Jenkins, a diminutive member of the Pals for Life clan.
Pity the Pals, who meticulously plan the mechanics of a dungeon raid only to have it spoiled by Leeroy, who abruptly yells, "Let's do this!" He then bellows his own name and runs into the dragon-filled room alone. The ensuing mayhem, which results in the death of the entire party, offered enough comedy value to merit becoming a $1,000 question on last year's Jeopardy College Championship. (It stumped all three brainiacs.)
Alas, Leeroy's antics aren't entirely legit. Although the player behind Leeroy was cagey in an interview, most observers have concluded that the en masse suicide was staged. But at least we have chicken.
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