In a world full of stress and frustration, people are finding an unlikely source of satisfaction: watching stuff get smashed to smithereens by a hydraulic press. These videos, which feature everything from pumpkins to Furbies being flattened into oblivion, have racked up tens of millions of views on YouTube. But what is it about seeing random objects get crushed that’s so darn appealing?
The Rise of Hydraulic Press Mania
The king of crushing content is undoubtedly the Hydraulic Press Channel, boasting over 9.7 million subscribers. Founded in 2015 by Finnish factory owner Lauri Vuohensilta, the channel’s videos consistently garner massive view counts. A single compilation titled “Top 100 Best Hydraulic Press Moments | Satisfying Crushing Compilation” has been watched more than 63 million times.
So what’s the secret to the channel’s success? According to Vuohensilta, it’s all about simplicity and universal appeal. “You just put the items there and pull the lever,” he explains. “There’s so much you can crush.” He believes his audience primarily consists of “people that just want to watch interesting and satisfying clips that look nice. Something easy after a long day.”
The Psychology of Crushing Satisfaction
Experts say there are several psychological factors at play in the popularity of hydraulic press videos. Dr. Rosanna Guadagno, an associate professor of persuasive information systems at the University of Oulu, notes that viral content tends to evoke strong emotional responses, whether it’s outrage, humor, or fascination.
“Oh my God, [hydraulic press videos] are so addictive. I’m going to watch more after our call.”
– Dr. Rosanna Guadagno, Associate Professor of Persuasive Information Systems at the University of Oulu
Another key factor is the videos’ accessibility. They require no cultural context or specialized knowledge to enjoy – anyone can appreciate the spectacle of an object getting obliterated. “It speaks to everyone’s inner child,” Guadagno explains.
The bizarre nature of the content also contributes to its shareability. As Dr. Jonah Berger, author of Contagious: Why Things Catch On, puts it: “People love sharing surprising, interesting or remarkable content because it gives them social currency. It makes them look smart, special and in the know.”
Crushing as Catharsis
Beyond the entertainment value, some experts believe watching hydraulic press videos may serve a deeper emotional purpose. Dr. Charlynn Ruan, founder of Thrive Psychology Group, compares the appeal to that of rage rooms, where people pay to spend time smashing furniture and electronics as a form of stress relief.
“These videos tap into our natural human desire for action and destruction and the cathartic feeling of building or destroying something,” Ruan explains. She notes that even just visualizing destruction can provide an emotional release, especially for those who may not otherwise feel comfortable expressing anger or aggression.
While watching crayons get squished may not be quite as viscerally satisfying as taking a baseball bat to an old TV, Ruan believes the videos can still offer “great little cathartic moments in the middle of your day, or when you don’t have time and space to express yourself in other ways.”
Smashing Forward
As the hydraulic press trend shows no signs of slowing down, it seems clear that in a high-stress world, a little vicarious destruction goes a long way. So the next time you need to decompress, consider pulling up a video of some hapless objects meeting their crushing fate. You might just find your own troubles feel a bit flatter as a result.
- Key Takeaways:
- Hydraulic press videos have amassed a huge following, with top channels garnering tens of millions of views
- The videos’ popularity stems from their accessibility, ability to evoke strong emotions, and “shareability” factor
- Watching destruction can provide an emotional release and sense of catharsis, tapping into primal urges
- In a stressful world, the simple satisfaction of seeing stuff get smashed holds a widespread appeal
Crushing as Catharsis
Beyond the entertainment value, some experts believe watching hydraulic press videos may serve a deeper emotional purpose. Dr. Charlynn Ruan, founder of Thrive Psychology Group, compares the appeal to that of rage rooms, where people pay to spend time smashing furniture and electronics as a form of stress relief.
“These videos tap into our natural human desire for action and destruction and the cathartic feeling of building or destroying something,” Ruan explains. She notes that even just visualizing destruction can provide an emotional release, especially for those who may not otherwise feel comfortable expressing anger or aggression.
While watching crayons get squished may not be quite as viscerally satisfying as taking a baseball bat to an old TV, Ruan believes the videos can still offer “great little cathartic moments in the middle of your day, or when you don’t have time and space to express yourself in other ways.”
Smashing Forward
As the hydraulic press trend shows no signs of slowing down, it seems clear that in a high-stress world, a little vicarious destruction goes a long way. So the next time you need to decompress, consider pulling up a video of some hapless objects meeting their crushing fate. You might just find your own troubles feel a bit flatter as a result.
- Key Takeaways:
- Hydraulic press videos have amassed a huge following, with top channels garnering tens of millions of views
- The videos’ popularity stems from their accessibility, ability to evoke strong emotions, and “shareability” factor
- Watching destruction can provide an emotional release and sense of catharsis, tapping into primal urges
- In a stressful world, the simple satisfaction of seeing stuff get smashed holds a widespread appeal
