Tag Archives: YouTube

Digital Media Reflection III: Liberation Revelation

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When this class began, I knew that new media was a frontier that had yet to be really explored. I hadn’t realized exactly how wild that ‘wild west’ was. New media is a platform for everyone. New media is in many ways an egalitarian form. Everyone gets the chance to become a star if they have the skills. If you’re funny then you can find fame on a youtube comedy channel. If you know a subject very well then you’ll find a captive audience in how-to videos. If you can play video games with skill, then twitch.tv is the place for you. And that’s great.

New media can counter monopolies and bring down corporations. But as we’ve seen, new media is a fertile ground for new companies and corporations, both of which could be just as bad, or worse, than their predecessors. Google is scary. At all times. It’s a bit like the supervolcano under Yellowstone National Park. We know that someday it will blow and change the world as we know it. We just don’t know when. It could be today. It could be tomorrow.

And youtube, being a subsidiary of Google, is under fire as well. Google plus integration, despite possibly fixing the dreaded Barrens youtube chat, is seen as an unnecessary feature. And youtube has become very much like Google – a platform so indispensable that it becomes difficult to find an alternative. If you have the power of popular web-series creators then you could host on your own site, free from the tyranny of youtube. If not then… There’s always Vimeo?

Video games are, and I truly mean this, my area of expertise. It’s exhilarating to discuss them with people and hear other people’s opinions on them, content or gameplay-wise. I acknowledge wholeheartedly that video games have a long way to go. Some are racist. Some are misogynistic. Some are homophobic. Some are both, all, none. It’s a rapidly growing art form (no matter what you say, Mr. Ebert). It’ll take time. But it’s important that people are taking up arms and talking about these issues. Awareness will bring acceptance, and video games have the potential to be wonderful narrative devices.

New media is here to stay. And that’s great. What we’ve talked about over the course of this class tells me that there is not only potential for great growth in this medium, but potential for a new phase of how we interact with, produce, consume, talk about, and study media and entertainment.

Individual Digital Reflection

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In time I spent in this class, I came to realize that there was more then meets the eye when it came to New Media, and all of it’s various forms. More so than just websites, these were communities, with their own culture. This realization hit me in the very beginning, when we were talking about memes. While a cat meme that says “I Haz Cheezburger” may seem like any old thing you would find mindlessly surfing the web, a meme is so, so much more than that. It’s simply anything than can be replicated. Memes are everywhere, anything from a table to a style of clothing or the hairstyle on one’s head. In essence, memes are everywhere. When understanding that there was so much depth in such a small little thing is really when this class started to catch my imagination.

Being an avid watcher of YouTube, I was naturally very excited when we got to the YouTube unit. As I hoped, we discussed what it was like to be a YouTuber, to be a part of that community, and why or why not it could be perceived as a real job. After all, people do make real money from it. Considering that this, to me, is one of the most exciting facets of New Media, this was a very interesting discussion. Is YouTube the new television? Much like any sort of TV show, subscribers tune in to see their favorite personalities whenever they upload a new video. Understanding this transition of New Media was fascinating for me. It seems that the digital age has so entirely changed the world, and in regards to YouTube, it has definitely impacted the way entertainment is watched by the masses. Yes, of course, TV is still an option, and many people still watch it, but is it as popular as it once was? I distinctly remember the discussion we had when Professor Russworm told the class that she no longer had cable anymore. A Media teacher, no less. I realized then, “isn’t that simply a sign of the times?” When you can watch TV shows on such platforms like Netflix or Amazon, why pay 90 dollars for a cable package? It seems that the Internet is indeed taking over, changing entertainment one person at a time, and that discussion sticks out in my mind as the moment when I truly realized that.

Of course, Race and Gender was a large component what we learned  this semester as well. I was very excited to see that Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was going to be of the subjects to be learned, and I was not disappointed. One of the most interesting aspects of the discussion was comparing the old Lara Croft to to the Lara Croft from the 2013 game. Hypersexuality was decreased immensely in the 2013 game, much to the combined amusement and happiness of myself. I began to hope that maybe sexism is decreasing slowly, thanks to a more socially conscious and interconnected world. This may very well be the case, and it certainly was for Miss Lara Croft.

So to reflect: What did I truly learn from this class? In short, the digital world is a whole lot bigger than people might think. There are layers and nuances to this New Media Age that we’ve only scratched the surface on. I’m excited to grow up in a world that is changing so drastically technologically, and this class certainly opened up my eyes to that reality.

Aesthetic Arrest

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This term was first introduced by James Joyce to describe the state of not only seeing art but being in a higher state of awareness while appreciating it. The mind is ‘arrested’ and all desires and loathing become irrelevant to the spectator. M. Wesch, however, uses this term in the context of YouTube. Viewers do not just simply watch YouTube videos, they rather form a deep connection with the ‘vlogger’. The possibility to watch a video over and over again, to ‘stare’ without any inhibitions and to experience people. One gets the sense that the viewers are ‘overwhelmed by the beauty of the human in front of them’.

Wesch explains in his lecture why people feel this way: in the process of how we express ourselves as individuals and what we wish for, a cultural tension develops. This individualism, at the same time, marks us as a lonely individual that craves a deeper connection. But similarly the wished for connection is often seen as a constraint, as there are usually certain responsibilities involved which just come along naturally when having deeper connections to other human beings. In that respect however, YouTube is able to “offer” deep connections with “no strings attached”.

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Websites used: http://mediatedcultures.net/smatterings/aesthetic-arrest/

Humor, Spectacle and Self-Referentiality

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According to Alexandra Juhasz, there are three main qualities of any popular or viral YouTube video that make it entertaining.  These are humor, spectacle, and self-referentiality.  Juhasz claims that a video’s ability to be humorous stems from its ability to be “self-mocking” and “ironic”.  Whether or not a video can be considered a “spectacle” refers to how authentic that video feels to the viewer.  Self-referentiality simply points to a more meta quality of YouTube videos–that is, talking about YouTube within a YouTube video (i.e. – My YouTube Story videos, general YouTube commentary or criticism).

The main idea behind these three qualities of YouTube videos, Juhasz claims, come from methods practiced in earlier media which can be attributed to a sense of convenience and speed.  In other words, videos are easy to get to (if you know what you’re looking for), and easy to understand.  This also speaks to how recognizable a video is in terms of its main focus–Juhasz uses examples like a “big booty” or a “car crash”.  While a big booty or a car crash might not seem like authentic central focuses for a YouTube video, it is the authenticity of that specific big booty or car crash that ultimately makes an audience want to watch it.

YouTube Partner Program

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Per the YouTube website, the YouTube Partner Program is described as a program that allows creators to monetize content on YouTube through a variety of ways including advertisements, paid subscriptions, and merchandise. In addition to joining the Partner Program, Creators can take advantage of the variety of resources, features, and programs that YouTube provides to help you build your channel(s) and your audience.

Basically, to make money off of YouTube, you have to be a part of this partner program.

Not just anyone can join, however. Criteria to be admitted to the partnership program is as follows:

“Your YouTube channel may be eligible for the YouTube Partner Program if it meets the following criteria:

  • The program has launched in your country.
  • Your account is in good standing and hasn’t previously been disabled for monetization.
  • You upload original, quality content that is advertiser-friendly.
  • Your video content complies with our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines.
  • You have reviewed our copyright education materials.”

There are also some stipulations regarding what kind of content one can post when using the program, as to avoid copyright issues. Examples are listed below:

  • Music (including cover songs, lyrics, and background music)
  • Graphics and pictures (including photographs and artwork)
  • Movie or TV visuals
  • Video game or software visuals
  • Live performances (including concerts, sporting events, and shows)

Additionally, through the article we read for class today entitled “How Much Money Do YouTube Stars Make?” we learned how much one can realistically make off a “YouTube career.” YouTube gives its content partners, that is those that participate in the program, 55% of the ad revenue that they bring in (while YouTube gets 45% of the profits.) The types of ads that are used to sponsor their videos are a factor in how much money they earn. Pre-roll ads (ads that lead into the beginning of the video) bring in an average of $5 for every 1,000 views. Banner ads bring in an estimate $.80 cents per 1,000 views. 1,000 views is a lot, so clearly to make money off this partnership, the user’s content must have to attract a huge number of viewers.

#YouTube #Media #NewMedia #Advertising

Websites used for information:
http://www.youtube.com/yt/creators/creator-benefits.html
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/72851?hl=en

YouTube: A Musical Playground

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I use YouTube mainly as a platform for exploring music. Whether I want to watch a newly released music video, an obscure live performance, or an amazing cover – YouTube has what I’m looking for.

I have always been fascinated by live musical performances and I love that YouTube offers a way for me to easily access essentially any live performance that has been recorded. On my “Top 15 Playlist” I’ve included several of my favorite live performances ranging from private sessions (Alt-J NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert) to intimate festival performances (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros Fire+Water Live at Barton Springs Pool) to large stadium shows (Elias from DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE Live at MSG). By granting me access to recordings of these performances, YouTube allows me to explore and experience the work of my favorite artists uninhibited by what mainstream media chooses to publicize.

In addition to watching live musical performances by my favorite artists, I also love watching YouTube users cover my favorite songs. I think one of the most amazing things about YouTube is that it offers musicians a free forum through which they can share their talents. While most YouTube users who post covers remain within the realm of YouTube, some musicians find outside fame and success through their YouTube channels.

Guitarist Sungha Jung who grew popular though YouTube has now released several albums and performs with world famous musicians. I’ve included his cover of the Beatle’s “Come Together” on my “Top 15 Playlist.”

Here, he preforms “I’m Yours” with Jason Mraz.

 

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MycEFlLDOkY[/youtube]

 

The few YouTube musicians who do escape the YouTube realm act both as an inspiration to other YouTube musicians and as a testament to YouTube’s power of providing musicians the opportunity to reach a world-wide audience from their bedrooms.

Personally, YouTube has given me a space where I can post my own musical covers and receive feedback on these covers from friends and family. As someone who fears singing in public, I have found YouTube particularly helpful because it offers a way for me to share my covers without actually having to preform in front of a live audience.

Since I don’t have many views, I’m going to shamelessly use this blog post to promote myself and my cover of Death Cab for Cutie’s “I Will Follow You Into the Dark.” You don’t have to listen but I’d appreciate if you would!

 

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I4w2yxNFwg[/youtube]

 

While I spend most of my time on YouTube exploring music, I also use YouTube to work-out. Since I can’t always find Pilates classes that fit with my schedule, I use Cassey Ho’s “Blogilates” videos as part of my exercise regime. Instead of buying an instructional Pilates DVD with a limited number of work-out routines, YouTube gives Cassey Ho the ability to regularly post new videos which provides me constant free access to new work-out routines.

Aside from its practical uses, I am a huge fan of feel-good viral videos like “Where the Hell is Matt,” “The Sneezing Baby Panda,” and “Christian the Lion” all of which I’ve included on my “Top 15 Playlist.”

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Check out my Top 15 Playlist on YouTube Here

 

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPD9AcnQMIDHEfvRPGwdFibxxmu7cEzaO[/youtube]

 

 

 

YouTube Playlist Assignment

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YouTube is a staple in my life that allows me to navigate the Internet daily in a way that is conducive to what I look for in my searches.  It is not always the most reliable site in regards to quality and accuracy, or if you are trying to watch a video as quickly as possible, but for what it is, I can appreciate the opportunities that YouTube offers as a video sharing site.  My personal interests are mostly music-based.  Music is the most important thing in my life, and YouTube is a grounds for which I can extend my constant music search, as well as bring back older songs that someone may not have downloaded into their personal music library.  This is also especially helpful in terms of learning the lyrics of songs, and, in my case, following a few specific indie music blogs.  That being said, though I have my own channel, I do not use it to create playlists or upload videos.  I do, however, constantly share with my friends the videos of new music that I find every single day (at least one song a day) by copying and pasting the YouTube link and sharing it through Facebook wall posts.  YouTube may not always be the platform through which I find the music, but aside from using Soundcloud, YouTube comes as a close second.  In terms of my contributions to the site as a YouTube user, I might “like” a comment, subscribe to an artist or some other channel, and, if I feel as though I have something important to say, I post the occasional comment.  It is difficult to ignore the amount of “hate comments” the are prevalent within the YouTube universe.  For that reason, I try to avoid reading other users’ comments so that it does not affect my own personal reaction to the video I’m watching or the song I’m listening to.  Music is not the only thing that I enjoy searching for on YouTube, though.  I like to find videos that will make me laugh, and that are also tied in with my interests (i.e. – Harry Potter).  My friends and I have an odd sense of humor, so most of the time the videos I find entertaining have some vulgar or racist language.  This obviously does not reflect on my personal views, but more for my enjoyment of the irony in the comedy itself (i.e. – GI Joe PSA video, Sickanimation, Llamas With Hats).  YouTube is also what I use in order to watch interviews, news, speeches, or documentaries that I find interesting or funny.  Most of the time they are videos that make me feel good about myself and the world around me, and I put them in my pocket for a rainy day when I feel like a good video will pick me up.  All in all, YouTube is extremely prevalent in my every day life, and if I suddenly did not have access to it, then my Internet experience wouldn’t be half as entertaining.

 

Playlist: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRbcZ-PbmLLe6HBAZ0CvLmV_wqkHAG_3J

 

What YouTube Means to Me

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This is a very, very short compilation of all of the types of videos (and some of my favorites) that I love to watch while on YouTube. I absolutely love YouTube and started using it right away as a young teenager when it first came out. I remember how amazing it was that you could post your own videos and watch other people share their own as well. As a side note, a few years before YouTube even came out my mother was still working for IBM (International Business Machine). She worked on a project that would allow users to go online to a website and be able to share videos just the same as we do now with YouTube. However her team’s project got canned because her boss didn’t believe that anyone would want to share videos as a way to express themselves. Too bad he didn’t follow through with the idea because YouTube has millions and millions of individuals browsing videos every second of every day. I am definitely one of those people.

For the most part I love using YouTube for everything that I can possibly think of that would have a video to go along with a name or an idea. I also enjoy listening to music on YouTube and sometimes I’ll even make party playlists to have running in the background while I have guests over. Everything about YouTube is convenient for me and anyone I talk to. YouTube is one of my all-time favorite websites.

Although I do occasionally listen to music on YouTube that is not the majority of the time I spend on the website. For the most part when I’m on YouTube, I’m either watching something because I want to free up time before I have to do something else, or I’m trying to see what’s new with the society and culture that surrounds me every day. YouTube, in my opinion, is a way to escape the burdens of society while also jumping into the heart and culture of what we express to society as what is important to us as the individual. Although that may seem counter-intuitive, it’s anything but a lie.

As you can see from my playlist I’m the kind of guy who loves silly humor, especially from internet videos. A lot of these videos are from at least 6 or 7 years ago and all were really popular at the time they came out. Many of them are newer as well, but still carry on that Idea of humor through memes. I also threw in a couple of videos from some of the more relevant channels that I now watch. One of the videos is from a ‘lets play’ by Youtuber Markiplier playing Octodad (the best game in the world). Another video is from a channel called Dotacinema which is relevant to myself because I am highly addicted to the game Dota 2.

Other than that YouTube is just another place that I can set my mind at ease for a few hours if I’m really stressed out and need a break. It shows me that no matter how upset I am, or no matter how stressed I am, there are always people out there making funny videos that can really change my outlook on life and what is really important to me.

 

Here is my YouTube Playlist:

My Top 15

YouTube: My Personal Time Capsule

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When given this assignment, I did not believe I used YouTube very often for things other than music. Usually, I have one or two tabs open for lyric videos. In fact, my main use for YouTube is just that. When I find music I like on the internet, I search for it on YouTube. More often than not, the music does not have an “official” music video but YouTube has it with one still-picture in the background or the lyrics to the video. For this purpose, YouTube allows me to share the music I find with my friends on other networks like Facebook.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/MXPJf7iZwVU[/youtube]

I do not usually watch official music videos unless they are music videos from my teenage years or childhood. For this purpose, YouTube serves as a sort of time capsule from my past. I enjoy watching music videos by The Killers, like Mr. Brightside, because it transports me back to the stressless and blissful world of my early teenage years.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/gGdGFtwCNBE[/youtube]

The nostalgia leads to watching even older movies from my childhood. The older the movie, the more likely one is to find it on YouTube. The only problem here is that I have to watch the movie in parts rather than the whole in one sitting. For example, Susie Q came out in 1996 when I was five years old.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/LT6zpWd5R_I[/youtube]

I get so wrapped up in my music use on YouTube that I do forget I use it for more practical reasons. From learning how to properly cook salmon to how to attempt a new hairstyle, YouTube becomes a virtual guide for many everyday life tips. When I first moved into an apartment two years ago, I forgot how to properly cook sunny side up eggs. I searched on YouTube how to properly cook this type of egg and (Boom!) the eggs were cooked to perfection. From that moment on, all of my cooking questions were searched on YouTube.

Reflecting on it, YouTube helps me with most of my “How To” questions and “Do It Yourself” projects. I really enjoy learning how to do different things with my hair and makeup but sometimes that does not work out well when I try to do these things myself unknowingly. Therefore, YouTube helps to educate me on how to properly try new techniques or styles. For example, the “sock bun” is a recent phenomenon for women’s hairstyles. A YouTube tutorial taught me how to properly weave the sock in my hair, creating a ballerina bun.

My most important use of YouTube is for research or motivational purposes. I am studying to be a middle school teacher and I am constantly doing research on education and teaching. YouTube is a useful tool to see theories I have read, executed in videos on YouTube. It is always helpful to see theories on paper carried out into practice. Motivational speeches, such as TED Talks, become a tangent of my educational research. YouTube has a TED Talks channel I have subscribed to and it has been a wonderful doorway to more educational research on a global scale.

I feel that YouTube appeals to any type of internet user. Naturally, we are all curious creatures who are inquisitive about the world. YouTube can help answer many questions we may have about anything.

Whether it be music or education, I am a daily visitor to YouTube. YouTube, on the surface, functions to satisfy my musical and nostalgic cravings. However, it helps to educate me on simple everyday tasks for beauty, health, and home. It serves to feed my passion for teaching and educational research, helping me gain knowledge for my ultimate dream of being an educator.

My Top 15

 

What YouTube Means To Me

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwkCXoboqGc&list=PLIbjEaW1XjkxAOcz75XtQk7HGRDdwwoIY[/youtube]

YouTube means more to me than the majority of websites on the internet. For starters its reach is wide as it connects you to videos you would normally never come across. Videos are not just moving pictures, but expressions of the soul and the collective human consciousness. Or Scarlet taking a tumble. I use YouTube almost everyday, but always for different reasons which I think draws attention to how special it is. It helps me hack boredom to pieces as I can find entertaining comedic videos. First and foremost I use YouTube to discover new music and keep my friends dancing late into the night.

The site is easily accessible and simple to use, which allows a broad range of people to use it. My mother who cannot send a text message understands how to send me a video of a bobcat using a toilet. Finding new music is simple when the site caters to my likes and interests. The majority of time spent using YouTube is actually not for the visual aspects. I usually put on a full album and push the top of the computer as low as I can get it without it falling asleep. Either that or I turn the screen brightness off. This is for a few reasons as I normally don’t like to see the music video because it defines how you initially feel about the song. I try to imagine a visual narrative in my head.
I also use YouTube to be inspired by some of my favorite thinkers and non conforming crazy individuals such as Joe Rogan, Alan Watts and Tyler the Creator. I enjoy a wide range of people because no one picks just one thing from a free all you can eat buffet. Satirical videos involving someone making fun of Bill O’ Reilly get me every time. I enjoy even more when he is being shamed at the hands (or mouth) of a genius like Stephen Colbert. YouTube reminds me what I like about the world, and also what I hate.
I have been angry with the images I see and words I hear, but just as the screen tells me tales of evil I have access to beauty. Videos of people saving lives and helping one another. There is magic in the tool that is a free video streaming collection such as YouTube. However, like every tool it can be used to help or destroy. I do not watch videos that I know will increase the number of hits, making a horrible video more popular. This goes from street fighting to Katy Perry attempting to call herself an artist.

With YouTube I can do research and engage with people. I can watch Pink Floyd serenade the souls of the dead at Pompeii and immediately after catch Miley Cyrus embarrassing herself for whoever holds her contract. There is this exploitation of counterculture. A hijacking of sorts that breeds a bandwagon of technology haters. I think sometimes they don’t realize they’re holding the axe at the wrong end.

My Life as Defined By YouTube

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My YouTube Playlist
Basically my entire existence summarized by 17 videos… I couldn’t limit myself to just 15.
My first memory of life on YouTube is of one of the most classic viral videos of all time, “Shoes” by Liam Kyle Sullivan. This video was uploaded 7 years ago and has accumulated a mind boggling 52,493,699 views (probably 100 of those coming from me alone.) Liam Sullivan actually went to my high school, King Philip, and even sports a KP Varsity Track jacket in the first scene of the video. But this alumni-themed reason alone is not why I was hooked on YouTube the second the catchy beats of the “Shoes” song entered my eardrums. It’s hilarious! It’s addictive! It’s only the beginning! After watching “Shoes” obsessively, I browsed the rest of the videos Liam had already uploaded at the time. This included the timelessly quotable “Muffins” video which I included in my playlist as well. From here, I traveled around the YouTube space via channels Liam subscribes to and that is where my journey into the world of YouTube comedy began (see also: “Ball Champions” by Kyle.)

Shoes
Muffins
Ball Champions

My exploration of YouTube via “Shoes” as a starting point emphasizes the unique community space that YouTube creates on the web. No other form of new media has been able to produce such a close-knit community of shared creativity, and that is why YouTube is so popular. If you find one video on the web that you enjoy, you can easily locate MILLIONS more of similar taste and theme via automated recommendations, similar channels, playlists, subscriptions, etc. — and thus, the YouTube community is born. One of the most special aspects of YouTube culture, in my opinion, is the way it digitizes ordinary aspects of life. In the pre-YouTube era (how horrific!), one could concoct a delicious cake recipe, serve it to friends, and provide a written transcription of the recipe to those who requested it. In contemporary times, that same recipe is now made accessible to billions of people instead of just close peers. Furthermore, not only is it available to billions, but it has been completely digitized. There could now be a step-by-step video SHOWING (instead of telling) you exactly how to follow the recipe to make that delicious cake. Without YouTube, this would not be possible. It’s crazy to think how simple life activities have been transformed into tangible information for people across the globe, connecting communities of people with shared interests that would never be able to engage or interact without this site. Amazing.


Clearly, I really recognize appreciate how YouTube has changed the web. I use it every single day, and my YouTube playlist basically summarizes my personality and life. I value humor as the top quality trait in a person, as displayed by my obsession for funny YouTube videos and channels. I love music of course, but I’m particularly fascinated by innovative covers and mashups such as DJ Earworm’s yearly mashup of Top 40 songs. I am an animal lover; I could watch videos of baby animals doing quirky things literally all day long — are you kidding me with Christian the Lion?! Most tearjerking video ever! Speaking of tearjerking videos, I’m a huge sucker for them. I love a good emotional cry via a cute viral video such as the military surprise compilation. And, I’m a novice cook just entering the culinary world. I basically have to resort to YouTube instructional videos every time I want to cook a meal. As you can see, YouTube has improved nearly every aspect of my life. It makes content of every kind from each corner of the globe accessible to me right at the click of my fingertips. I’d be lost without it. 

Christian the Lion
Military Surprise Compilation

My YouTube Life

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My YouTube Playlist

 

YouTube. A mating ground of creativity, eclecticism and adorable cats. I’ve been on it since I got my first computer in 2008, and since then, I’ve been amazed by the amount and quality of content that people on this website could produce. One of the greatest and most unique things about YouTube is the fact that it can cater to literally any interest that anyone could possibly have. This, really, is why it’s so popular. Want to learn how to knit? YouTube. Want to listen to mostly any song ever recorded? YouTube.

My gateway drug into YouTube was through Kyle Landry, a talented teenage piano player from Massachusetts. One of his songs, Dearly Beloved, was from a video game I loved to play at the time (Kingdom Hearts), and it struck me the second I listened to it. I was hooked. I watched every single one of his videos, and even put them on as I fell asleep at night. I was continually inspired with how hard he worked at perfection, and ultimately, it inspired me to work harder on my musical skills. Still to this day, Kyle Landry is my favorite YouTuber.

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After a while though, I decided to venture out from this one channel. At around this time, Beauty Gurus were starting to surface. I started watching those videos too, as I do to this day. I got into vlogs, watching one a day as they filmed it (I primarily watch CTFxC and it’sJudy’sLife now). Vlogs are fantastic because you really do feel like you’re living their life with them, but not in a creepy way of course. You grow with them, even though you’ve never met. It’s a very YouTube centric and original platform, as far as I know, and I’m not sure what my everyday life would be like without it.

53d067a6b67c32b86e478adfafe3145e Unknown-7

My deepest connection to YouTube lies in a video I stumbled upon accidentally. One day about a year and a half ago, me and my brother were on YouTube, and came across a very strange video called “Cooking With Dog”. Thinking that it was some strange, sadistic video of a woman cooking her dog, we of course clicked on it. Instead, we found a sweet Japanese woman and her eerily well-trained poodle Francis teaching us how to make a cake. Well, the dog didn’t do much but “narrate” the cooking video, but still, it was so strange and adorable that we couldn’t stop watching. My brother watched every single one, and decided he wanted to start making the recipes based on the videos from Cooking With Dog. Over time, he became very good at it, and is now training to go to the Culinary Institute of America. All because of a little 5 minute video about a woman and her dog in a kitchen.

wants

In the end, YouTube is a cornerstone of my life. It’s where I learn, and where I relax. The people on it have inspired me, and others around me, to do better, and to be better. This may all sound cliche, but it’s true. Though it may be just another website on the big ‘ol Internet, it still affects people every single day, with every single video.