The British Film Institute (BFI) has officially preserved the iconic early internet video, 'Badger Badger Badger', marking a significant milestone in the preservation of internet lore. This move is part of the BFI's ongoing efforts to safeguard digital history, as they now seek the original files of viral videos, unlike their traditional focus on silent films. The video, featuring 12 badgers doing calisthenics with occasional appearances of a mushroom and snake, first went viral on B3ta.com in 2003. The BFI's process involves contacting the creators, often a challenging task due to the age of the content and the difficulty in locating the original files. Once the files are obtained, the BFI meticulously builds metadata and checks technical specifications to ensure proper preservation. This includes storing the video in robot-operated tape libraries and maintaining a separate copy 50 miles away for disaster recovery. The preservation of 'Badger Badger Badger' highlights the internet's enduring impact, as early memes like this one are now considered valuable historical artifacts. The BFI's work is crucial in ensuring that the internet's rich history is not lost, allowing future generations to appreciate the evolution of digital culture and the memes that defined it.
