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[00:00.68] We’ve all been there.

[00:02.53] One minute you’re searching for something serious, like a recipe for dinner, or something for work, and the next you’ve been sucked in by endless videos of cats doing funny things after seeing a catchy title in your suggested videos column.

[00:16.88] They’re compelling, engrossing and captivating, and you can end up spending hours watching kittens make funny noises or mistiming jumps.

[00:25.64] But why do these videos so often end up going viral?

[00:29.63] What makes them so enthralling?

[00:32.28] And why are they more popular than dog videos?

[00:35.47] First, let’s talk about stereotypes.

[00:39.19] When many of us think about dogs, we imagine them rolling over onto their backs, tongues hanging out, or making a mess.

[00:44.77] They seem trusting and innocent – and they do silly things.

[00:49.28] Cats, on the other hand, seem somewhat more refined and independent.

[00:54.33] There’s a reason we have an expression ‘cool cat’.

[00:58.05] In short, cats seem more serious – and savvy.

[01:02.30] If we can get one over on a cat and make them do something like get in a box that slides down a hill, it’s comical.

[01:09.47] But with a dog, it’s not as funny because they trust you – and it’s easier.

[01:15.31] Tricking a cat, due to their wiliness, has more payoff.

[01:20.36] The internet is filled with videos of cats making funny faces or reacting strangely.

[01:25.94] But why are they so funny? Well, simply – it’s unexpected.

[01:31.52] If you saw a cat walking down the street coolly or observing and preparing to attack a mouse, it wouldn’t be funny.

[01:38.96] But if that cat was walking sideways, wearing a silly costume, or becoming best friends with the mouse, suddenly we might start to laugh.

[01:48.25] Watching a cat that is normally majestic walk clunkily or pull a bizarre face is hilarious because it’s not something we would normally associate with that animal.

[01:57.81] It’s like watching someone who is normally very serious get the giggles.

[02:02.33] In some ways, we’re all laughing at their fall from grace.

[02:06.84] So the next time you see one of those many memes of cats in awkward situations or videos that make you chuckle, try to remember why it’s so funny.

[02:15.88] And spare a thought for all those dogs that are trying to entertain us too.