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Mannequin challenge is the new viral video sensation

NEW YORK — Remember the Ice Bucket Challenge? Or the Harlem Shake? Planking? Lip Dubs?

Manniquin challenge. Photo: @travisdegener/Twitter

Manniquin challenge. Photo: @travisdegener/Twitter

NEW YORK — Remember the Ice Bucket Challenge? Or the Harlem Shake? Planking? Lip Dubs?

Another video meme has emerged to distract the Internet. If you haven’t seen the Mannequin Challenge in your social media feeds or on your TV screen, you probably will soon.

In this latest viral video genre, groups of people are gathering and freezing themselves in place, often in elaborate poses and scenarios, as one camera-toting person walks through the scene to zoom in on the details. As is often the case, teenagers are leading the way.

Many of the videos are set to the song “Black Beatles” by Rae Sremmurd, making it the unofficial anthem of the meme. (The rap duo recorded its own version of the challenge at a concert last week.)

It’s goofy, it’s creative, it’s innocent fun. That means we must turn to the inevitable question: Now that there’s a good thing, how long until adults ruin it?

We regret to inform you that the Olds have already discovered it. Putting aside the fact that it’s been written up in The New York Times (sorry), and the Fox NFL Sunday pregame show and the SEC Network performed their versions on TV this weekend. It surely won’t be long until marketers get approval to create their own.

While it’s still fun, there are countless videos to watch if you search for #MannequinChallenge on Twitter. THE NEW YORK TIMES

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