The UK's film organization is preserving internet memes and viral videos. Indeed, "Charlie bit my finger" is included in the collection.

The UK's film organization is preserving internet memes and viral videos. Indeed, "Charlie bit my finger" is included in the collection.

      Old memes have now become part of internet history

      The internet's quirkiest little masterpieces are now being archived. The British Film Institute has safeguarded around 430 online videos as part of a collection aimed at preserving culturally significant moments from the internet. This collection spans nearly thirty years of British online culture, showcasing everything from early livestreaming experiments to viral memes that ultimately entered everyday vernacular.

      How memes have become part of contemporary history

      The collection features some recognizable classics. For instance, there’s "Charlie Bit My Finger," the 2007 home video in which toddler Charlie bites his brother’s finger, inadvertently turning into one of YouTube’s earliest viral sensations. The original upload is said to have nearly 900 million views, transforming a family video into a global internet reference.

      The BFI’s collection also includes "Badgers," a peculiar and endlessly looping Flash animation featuring dancing badgers, a snake, a mushroom, and a soundtrack that became ingrained in the minds of early-2000s viewers. Before platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Reels emerged, this was how much of internet culture was shared—through email chains, forums, personal websites, and by exchanging unusual links when nothing else quite resembled it.

      The archives go beyond just memes

      This is not merely a compilation of entertaining videos; it also features the Trojan Room Coffee Pot, often recognized as an early milestone in livestreaming. Researchers at the University of Cambridge trained a camera on a shared coffee pot, allowing remote checks on its fullness—a move that was both nerdy and oddly foresighted.

      Additionally, the archives include "Online Caroline," an interactive web drama from 2000 that experimented with webcam-style storytelling and email updates long before binge streaming became standard. Even the Liz Truss lettuce livestream is included, preserving the Daily Star joke that questioned whether a head of lettuce would outlast the then-prime minister's tenure.

      Why are popular memes being archived?

      The straightforward answer is that we have a tendency to forget. Despite numerous global viral moments, the internet often moves on more quickly than we believe. It struggles to preserve these moments, particularly when platforms shut down, formats fail, links decay, and significant cultural elements can disappear because no one deemed them worth preserving.

      A prime example is Flash, which has already vanished. Vine also disappeared, taking countless videos with it. Even videos that once seemed permanent can be deleted, blocked by region, or lost as platforms evolve.

The UK's film organization is preserving internet memes and viral videos. Indeed, "Charlie bit my finger" is included in the collection. The UK's film organization is preserving internet memes and viral videos. Indeed, "Charlie bit my finger" is included in the collection. The UK's film organization is preserving internet memes and viral videos. Indeed, "Charlie bit my finger" is included in the collection. The UK's film organization is preserving internet memes and viral videos. Indeed, "Charlie bit my finger" is included in the collection. The UK's film organization is preserving internet memes and viral videos. Indeed, "Charlie bit my finger" is included in the collection. The UK's film organization is preserving internet memes and viral videos. Indeed, "Charlie bit my finger" is included in the collection.

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The UK's film organization is preserving internet memes and viral videos. Indeed, "Charlie bit my finger" is included in the collection.

The British Film Institute is archiving 430 viral videos and memes, such as Charlie bit my finger, Badgers, and the livestream featuring Liz Truss and a lettuce.