Rickroll Preparedness Training
Welcome to the Rickroll Preparedness Training Program, a non-accredited, non-mandatory, highly necessary course in basic link hygiene and prank awareness.
Program objectives
By the end of this training, you should be able to:
- Identify at least three suspicious phrases that usually precede a Rickroll.
- Exercise healthy skepticism toward oddly urgent “you have to see this” messages.
- Recognize when your coworkers are clearly up to something.
- Rickroll others responsibly, if you so choose.
Module 1: Spotting high-risk links
While any link can theoretically contain a Rickroll, certain patterns are strongly correlated with prank activity. Examples include:
- Links sent with zero context and three or more “crying laughing” emojis.
- Links labeled “100% not a Rickroll this time for real.”
- Shortened URLs in messages where the sender refuses to explain what it is.
- Calendar invites with names like “urgent company announcement” from a coworker who does not usually schedule meetings.
Module 2: QR code situational awareness
QR codes are a modern marvel that allow you to skip typing and go directly to being pranked. To reduce risk:
- Be cautious of QR codes on homemade stickers in public places.
- Treat any QR code labeled “trust me” or “scan for a surprise” as extremely suspicious.
- When in doubt, ask yourself: “Can I live my life without knowing what this code does?” The answer is usually yes.
Module 3: Reading the room
Many Rickrolls can be prevented by paying attention to your environment:
- Did half your team mysteriously turn their cameras off right before you clicked the link?
- Is the person sending the link already smirking in the corner of a meeting?
- Did someone say “just share your sound” in a tone that suggests chaos?
These are all red flags. Trust your instincts. Or don’t, and enjoy the show.
Module 4: Responsible Rickrolling
At RSI, we acknowledge that some graduates may go on to become Rickrollers themselves. While we cannot stop you, we offer the following guidelines:
- Punch up, not down. Rickroll your friends, peers, and bosses, not people in vulnerable situations.
- Avoid serious contexts: medical appointments, emergencies, performance reviews, or anything involving HR paperwork.
- Accept that once you Rickroll someone, you are permanently on their watch list.
Optional “Pro Prankster” toolkit
Advanced students may wish to explore additional tools and resources, such as:
- Custom URL shorteners for disguising links.
- Fake “important document” landing pages that redirect to the video.
- QR codes labeled “Wi-Fi password” that lead to a Rickroll instead (note: use sparingly or risk social exile).
One day, this is where RSI will host an official Rickroll Link Generator. Until then, please prank responsibly.
Certification (not legally binding)
Upon completion of this page, you may informally consider yourself “Rickroll Aware.” You are now approximately 12% less likely to fall for the same trick again, and 88% more likely to pretend you saw it coming.
Next steps: