The social impact of YouTube's popularity has indeed spawned an alternative way to become famous.
Many of us do not remember when radio was truncated by the invention of “talkies,” motion pictures featuring sound, and later color. In the 1950’s, television began to lure audiences away from radio and the big screen. Now DVD’s, cable TV and satellite are keeping more audiences at home. Most of these homes have a computer. All you need is a computer and YouTube is here to entertain you.
Founded in 2005 in San Bruno, California by Chad Hurley, Steve Chen and Jawed Karim, all regular guys and employees of PayPay. Twenty-one months later, these regular guys sold their site to Google for US $1.65 billion dollars, Google’s largest acquisition to date. Time Magazine announced YouTube as the best invention of 2006, naming “us” as Person of the Year, via YouTube. The site is more popular than MySpace, and boasts around 20 million visitors a month.
At first glance, this appears to be freak luck for Hurley, Chen and Karim. Clearly, as technology changes, so does the way we entertain ourselves. In its brief time on the web, on-line word-of-mouth is primarily responsible for its stratospheric rise. In spite of the fact YouTube’s official policy prohibits the posting of copyrighted material, it has hosted clips from Saturday Night Live and 2006 Olympics. Infringement aside, YouTube is packed with original material that spans from the ridiculous to the sublime.
By the way of ridiculous, political candidates for the 2008 Presidential election have turned to YouTube to get your vote, or not. YouTube has been banned by Iran, Turkey, Thailand and Brazil for reasons of corruption, insult and violation of the privacy of celebrities. On the other hand, users can research propaganda and make their own videos, supporting or rejecting political candidates. In this respect, YouTube may become a vehicle to interest more Americans to vote.
The popularity of the site has created celebrities nonetheless. To name a few, New Zealand actress Jessica Rose (“lonelygirl15”), Brooke Brodack and Juan Mann. Ms. Brodack, a former receptionist is considered the first person to transcend YouTube and into mainstream media. Brodack signed an 18 month development contract with NBC’s Carson Daly. Juan Mann, the creator and main character of the Free Hugs Campaign, won him instant fame, an appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” with more campaigns taking place in different parts of the world.
YouTube has also become a vehicle of promoting bands and their music. The band, OK Go landed a radio hit. Their memorable treadmill video was honored by MTV Video Music Awards. Approximately 25 figures have grown to prominence due to their appearances on YouTube. These figures are due to rise.
With the acquisition of YouTube by Google, eventually YouTube will more than likely be absorbed by the mainstream. Until then, it’s ours.
