上网时，你有没有过这样的经历：在不知不觉中陷入了看猫咪视频的循环中，无法自拔……为什么和其它萌宠相比，与猫有关的视频往往更受欢迎？

 

We've all been there. 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 catchy¹ title in your suggested videos column. They're compelling, engrossing² and captivating, and you can end up spending hours watching kittens make funny noises or mistiming jumps. But why do these videos so often end up going viral? What makes them so enthralling³? And why are they more popular than dog videos?

 

First, let's talk about stereotypes⁴. When many of us think about dogs, we imagine them rolling over onto their backs, tongues hanging out, or making a mess. They seem trusting and innocent – and they do silly things. Cats, on the other hand, seem somewhat more refined and independent. There's a reason we have an expression ‘cool cat'. In short, cats seem more serious – and savvy⁵. 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. But with a dog, it's not as funny because they trust you – and it's easier. Tricking a cat, due to their wiliness, has more payoff.

 

The internet is filled with videos of cats making funny faces or reacting strangely. But why are they so funny? Well, simply – it's unexpected. If you saw a cat walking down the street coolly or observing and preparing to attack a mouse, it wouldn't be funny. But if that cat was walking sideways, wearing a silly costume, or becoming best friends with the mouse, suddenly we might start to laugh. Watching a cat that is normally majestic⁶ walk clunkily or pull a bizarre face is hilarious⁷ because it's not something we would normally associate with that animal. It's like watching someone who is normally very serious get the giggles⁸. In some ways, we're all laughing at their fall from grace.

 

So the next time you see one of those many memes of cats in awkward situations or videos that make you chuckle⁹, try to remember why it's so funny. And spare a thought for all those dogs that are trying to entertain us too.

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