What’s in a name?

ReCactus
ReCactus
Aug 23, 2017 · 2 min read

Written by Bernard Tan — CEO & Founder of ReCactus.

A question I’m regularly asked is, “Why ReCactus?”
The first few times I encountered this question, I had assumed it was an existential reference to why there was a need for a reaction video social platform. But that was never the case. The asker simply wanted to know why I would name a social media platform after a prickly plant that resides in the desert.

But who could resist naming a company after the humble cactus? They’re totes adorbs.

‘ReCactus’ was originally born from the misspelling of ‘Reactus.’ But it was impossible not to fall in love with this happy accident. It was a Wabi-Sabi moment at its finest; its imperfection gave it life and meaning. When magic occurs, it’s hard to ignore.

“Re.” As a prefix, alludes to reaction, response, reply, record. But I also see it as refurbishment; taking the existing commenting system on social media and updating it to video.

“Cactus.” A spiky plant that is able to thrive in the most extreme arid environments where other organisms cannot. There’s a lot to admire about a plant that is made for survival, but it is also a saviour, a beacon of hope for the thirsty desert-stranded loner. A puffy-faced Bear Grylls sucking on the flesh of a Cactus Cantina typically comes to mind.

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ReCactus

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ReCactus

REACTION VIDEO SOCIAL APP! MAKE, SHARE, COLLABORATE AND BE CREATIVE! As featured on CNBC’s “four social media apps you need on your phone right now!”

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