25 random things

25 Random Things is a popular meme that became extremely popular on the Facebook site in January 2009, prompting love and hate in the blogosphere, as well as responses from major media sources like MSNBC.

A typical 25 Random Things post states: "Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you."

Participants often share their lists outside of Facebook, and fans say that they learn new and interesting things about even close friends. Others dismiss the meme as too much like competing site MySpace, or refuse to participate for other reasons.

Like many viral ideas, those who dislike 25 Random Things don't seem to slow down its spread, and lists are posted by people of all ages and backgrounds, on Facebook and on blogs.

Chris Wilson of Slate Magazine researched the origins of 25 Random Things and found that the meme spread like an epidemic, peaking in late January 2009.

by Phillip Winn Are you a writer, passionate about this or any other topic? Join Blogcritics!

Comments about 25 random things