They come out of nowhere. They're typically bizarre. They more often than not include cats. And every year, we gather around them like the first campfire that ever was.

We're talking, of course, about viral videos.

Really, they're hard not to love. They're quick bursts of audiovisual joy that brighten our days just when we need them to. In essence, they are magic — internet magic.

Wired.com asked the fine folks at I Can Has Cheezburger? to help us compile a list of the best/funniest/goofiest viral videos of 2011. CEO/big cheese Ben Huh had something to say about all of them, too. (In true internet-geek fashion, all but one of his comments came in under 140 characters.)

So, without further ado, may we present the Best Viral Videos of 2011.

Above:

The title pretty much says it all. A kitten has a nightmare and starts shaking. Mama cat consoles the wee one in a very sweet, very sleepy hug.

Ben Huh sez: "And after viewing this video, the internet's heart did grow three sizes bigger."