The Skype Laughter Chain: Hilarious experiment, or the stuff of nightmares?

To promote their free video calling feature, Skype recently launched a viral “laughter chain” open to public participation.

To join the chain, webcam-owners record immediate responses to video footage of people laughing (beginning with an adorably possessed baby, and followed by several of the most embarassing laughing styles you’ll ever encounter), which is watched & added to by others, which is watched & added to by others, etc. Thus, creating a chain of endless, hilarious laughter.

You’re not required to participate to watch, though, and I didn’t. Which is probably for the best, as after a minute or so, I wasn’t so much laughing as recalling every disturbing nightmare I’ve had over the past couple years in one endless awful stream— and then I couldn’t find a button to make it stop!!!

So— at your own risk— view and/or participate in the laughter chain below. And for more information about the project, click to skypelaughterchain.com.