The Internet has been creating celebrity for years — from Justin Bieber to the “I Like Turtles” kid. But more people than ever flocked to online communities in 2012, and the opportunity for fame increased exponentially.
Some of this year’s discovery was pushed by the media, but much of it originated on the web. Platforms like Reddit played an important role in filtering unique moments that would have otherwise gone unnoticed — the social web pulled Ridiculously Photogenic Guy from a South Carolina 10K race.
But not everything is pure entertainment. The year 2012 familiarized us with a rich viral philanthropy movement. After a bus monitor on a $15,000 yearly salary was bullied by middle schoolers, the Internet rapidly came to her defense, donating more than half a million dollars toward her dream vacation.
Being discovered online is not always necessarily in one’s favor. This year, millions of people learned about worldwide campaigns, like the one against LRA leader Joseph Kony. More subtle figures like Reddit moderator Violentacrez unexpectedly went from anonymous identity to the subject of a global debate.
In no particular order, here are 15 people who famously caught the Internet’s attention in 2012. Who do you think comes in on top? Let us know in the comments below.
