YouTube has forever changed our generation. People today use it for many reasons including work, recreation, and curiosity. It is not out of the ordinary for teenagers and adults to sit on YouTube and watch videos all day compared to watching TV or reading the newspaper. YouTube emerged out of the democratization of cultural production around five years ago as an almost instantaneous hit. It is a social networking/media sight in which its users are able to upload their own videos for consumers and other users to indulge themselves in. With these possibilities brought into focus, one can easily assume that those they see on a YouTube video are celebrities. However, personally I disagree with this statement when taking an overall approach to the matter. Users may produce videos that generate millions of hits, but does that mean they receive votes for an Emmy? The answer is more than likely no.
For instance, in an article titled YouTube and the Mainstream Media the author wrote, “A common assumption underlying the most celebratory accounts of the democratization of cultural production (Grossman, 2006a, 2006b) is that raw talent combined with digital distribution can convert directly to legitimate success and media fame” (Jean Burgess, 20). This may be true, but only in a rarity. There are millions of users uploading their own videos for a chance of fame. However, there are two distinct differences between fame and popularity. One does not simply become infamous after posting a video that produces millions of hits. I have never heard of, or seen, or even assumed that a person on YouTube with a hit video would receive an award from the American public at the Oscars and the like. One is merely a popular icon on YouTube and often only for a period of time.
I don’t want you to get me wrong – I think YouTube is great. Our ever-changing generation has embraced YouTube for what it is, and collectively we have modernized because of it. The internet has changed us just as much as we have changed it. Those changes are just simply not life altering.
I would most definitely have to agree with the statement that Youtube has changed our generation. I would, however, disagree with the fact that just because someone is Youtube famous doesn't mean they don't become famous outside of Youtube. People like Shane Dawson, FRED, Smosh and even iJustine have won awards outside of Youtube. Shane Dawson, FRED and iJustine have all won awards on the Teen Choice Awards. And Smosh has done commercials and advertising for Butterfinger. Even Antoine Dodson got a ton of money from his Bed Intruder song. All of these people (minus Antoine Dodson because he was a from a viral video) started out making amateur videos and over time their videos grew more and more popular. Soon they became internet celebrities and they even sell merchandise in stores like Hot Topic. And even though I hate to say it but Justin Bieber was found on Youtube. And that is how he became famous.
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly. Getting a million hits on youtube may give you 15 minutes of fame but it is not an effective vehicle to stardom. Hundreds of examples illustrate this, one of my personal favorites is the "my new haircut" guy. I would relate "youtube fame" to "the real world fame" insofar as it entails being famous for the wrong reasons (like making a fool of yourself). Furthermore, I want to reiterate your statement: Youtube has changed our generation. It exposes users to a broad array of videos (from beekeeping to "my new haircut") and allows users to foster a culture of creativity because of a constant exchange of ideas.
ReplyDeleteYou make a valid argument that YouTube carries more weight than just a traditional tool online. The socialization that occurs on YouTube is much more lively than traditional television. YouTube involves interactions with so many people and creates a new type of popularity for its users, not celebrity status.
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