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Why You Don’t Want To Go Viral

Tom Scott | April 12, 2026



On a rainy Scottish island called Jura, it’s time to talk about the Manual, about long-term sustainable success, and about not having just that one catchphrase. The term “viral” has fallen out of fashion in the last few years, which is why this series wasn’t called “going viral”. And in truth, that’s not what you want to do.

Post Audio by Emi Paternostro, http://proximitysound.com

Jimmy Cauty and Bill Drummond were better known as the KLF (or the Timelords, or the JAMs, or…). Their Manual is out of print, but I’m sure that won’t stop enterprising people from tracking down versions of it, or footage of their burn.

The music for this series has been an instrumental version of “Game of Taking Chances” by Johannes Hager feat. Josefin Backrud, from Epidemic Sound

🟥 MORE FROM TOM: https://www.tomscott.com/
(you can find contact details and social links there too)

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Written by Tom Scott

Comments

This post currently has 24 comments.

  1. @TomScottGo

    April 12, 2026 at 6:49 am

    And that's the last in the series! There's no video on Monday as there's been three this week, but normal service will resume on 10th September. Thanks for watching, everyone!

  2. @ImDemonAlchemist

    April 12, 2026 at 6:49 am

    It's always weird to me when Tom and other British YouTubers talk about University as if it's a breeze where you have a ton of free time. That is most definitely not how it tends to be in the US.

  3. @gayslays

    April 12, 2026 at 6:49 am

    Glad that he isnt being a “travelling freak show” anymore. I have always enjoyed his videos, but everyone needs a break. 10 years is so much to bear, making videos every week!

  4. @SpaceFlye

    April 12, 2026 at 6:49 am

    Instant sucess also can really inflate one's ego. You'll either have a false sense of reality or expect the same results in the future to much dismay.
    Slow build up of success is far better than all at once success.

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