youtube

What does it take to get you to vote? Is it civic duty? A profound belief in a candidate? Fear of another candidate?

For almost half the American population, none of these things matter because they don’t vote. In fact, only about 56 percent of Americans voted in 2008. There are no numbers on this, but it’s entirely reasonable to think that maybe more people say “Thanks, Obama” than voted for him.

So what does it take? Money? Would you like money out of a candidate's pocket? Well, that’s not gonna happen, buddy! This is America! We don’t pay for votes here, so take it some place else.

But what about those celebrity videos? Can Stanley Tucci get you to vote? 

via Save the Day

Sorry, Tucc. No. Celebrity videos where they guilt you into voting don’t work because they depend on the old theory of “rational self-interest,” i.e. the idea that people will vote based on heavily-reinforced social norms. People don’t operate based on “rational self interest,” do they? People say that they’re going to vote but, in many cases, don’t actually do it.  

Over on YouTube, The Nerdwriter found something that just might work: shame. That’s right, if shamed into it, people will vote. He offers some different methods for implementing the age-old practice of shame, like a thing on Facebook that says “I Voted” or, the Scarlett Letter of the digital age, “I Didn’t Vote.”

via Hardware Zone

Check out the video for some more facts about voter turnout. You will sound so smart next time the topic comes up if you do.

This comic is several years old, and it's STILL relevant! Will YouTube never change?

The Beatles may not be the band with the most rabid fanbase, but they're close.

Damn their already flawless toddler skin!

"Ohh, that's... that's not very nice... that's... why?"

This newer take on this older joke is making the rounds.

In the pink corner, we have commenter 'Sophie Danze,' proud Directioner.

In the... also pink corner, we have commenter 'Jilianlovesthebeibs.' Proud Directioner and Belieber.

Dead Parrot took their Youtube comment slapfight in the comments section One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful" and turned it into the dark, gritty mafioso drama script it was always meant to be.

Warning: Expectedly terrible Youtube comment language in this video.