I have wondered the same question. Why things catch on and become popular? That's why I picked up this book.
The author proposes that there are six factors for the contents to catch on.
1. Social currency It makes you look good or cool. Or it's remarkable.
2. Triggers It's reminded, then talked.
3. Emotion It provokes emotional response (e.g. makes you feel good.)
4. Public It is seen popular. Many others are involved in it.
5. Practical value It is useful.
6. Stories It comes in story.
In the epilogue, they did have a chart to summarize all these. Potential application is, so that you may be able to design something that is more likely to become popular.
Is it possible? I don't know. But having a strategy to rely on is usually a good thing.
"Everyone is trying to sell something" is a view in contemporary marketing. That something can be anything. Insurance agents try to sell insurance to the uninsured or the insured by other companies. Scientists try to sell the utilities of their ideas to granting agencies. Job interviewers try to sell their service to employer. Tweeters try to sell their tweets to potential new followers. Evangelicals try to sell their version of Christianity to non-Christians.
[Previously I met an evangelist guy who assumed I am non-Christian, and started preaching for 10 minutes non-stop, with his proclamation of "Jesus died for you" sounding as if some kind of finishing blow in anime battle. His preaching was well-practiced (with a prop card, smooth delivery and all), but I had to say it didn't work so well. Selling something to someone who is not on the market is usually hard. I digress.....]
I know some will say it is a mocking view. But it is a view with certain convincing power, nonetheless.
With this background, having a mental framework to see popularity and the reason may aid your own selling and may have a practical value. That may be a reason for this book to have been a bestseller.
