Firstly, let's just establish the fact that YouTube has only existed since 2005 but already there are more videos uploaded than you can physically watch in a lifetime. Mind blown. The world of YouTube has exploded in recent years and has become something very unique and exciting.
Video bloggers (or more commonly known as vloggers) document their lives through a video medium and choose to upload this into the YouTube stratosphere for others to enjoy. But why is this a form of 'entertainment' to those that watch? Is there some kind of innate behaviour within us that makes us want to watch someone do a grocery shop, tidy their flat or show us what they bought in Primark last weekend? Does that make us crazy... or is it acceptable? The very fact that you are reading this highlights how humans have an interest in what others do or have to say.
It is amazing to see how these vloggers have such 'power'. For example, recently Zoe Sugg (Zoella) uploaded a video entitled 'Your Skin Doesn't Define You' and followed by encouraging her viewers to tweet her a picture of them make-up-free. Within a few minutes the hashtag #barefacedandwhat was trending number 1 worldwide. To me, I think if she can help just 1 person feel more confident about themselves then she has made a positive difference. Social media has such an incredible impact. I think that this is an important thing to remember. Whether you have 5 people who read your blog/follow you on twitter or 105 it doesn't matter. It's just a wonderful platform to share interests and make people smile. You may never know how much you might make someones day a little better.
It is amazing to see how these vloggers have such 'power'. For example, recently Zoe Sugg (Zoella) uploaded a video entitled 'Your Skin Doesn't Define You' and followed by encouraging her viewers to tweet her a picture of them make-up-free. Within a few minutes the hashtag #barefacedandwhat was trending number 1 worldwide. To me, I think if she can help just 1 person feel more confident about themselves then she has made a positive difference. Social media has such an incredible impact. I think that this is an important thing to remember. Whether you have 5 people who read your blog/follow you on twitter or 105 it doesn't matter. It's just a wonderful platform to share interests and make people smile. You may never know how much you might make someones day a little better.
I read the comments of popular vloggers such as Zoella, Sprinkle of Glitter, Pointless Blog (not in a stalkerish way) and I notice that many comments include the word 'idolise' or more specifically 'I idolise you'. Are these vloggers really someone you should idolise? It is understandable how people feel a connection and it is understandable why people may say this as they look like they are living a life of perfection; attending film premieres, being sent free stuff (who doesn't love a freebee?) and being given opportunities to travel the world. Some people may argue that the reason why the world has engaged in this form of 'entertainment' so fondly is due to the fact that it is 'real life', But is it really? Daily vloggers upload on average around 12 minutes of footage a day. There are 1440 minutes in a day. Let me do some maths...(grabs a calculator)...12 minutes is only 0.83% of the entire day. Is it fair to say they have the best life ever? No. They document such a small proportion of their life.
They have the power to stop filming when they want to. They have the power not to vlog when they are feeling sad. They have the power not to vlog when they get frustrated.
They have the power to vlog what they want to vlog.
We don't know everything about a particular person. Everyone has their own secret struggles that happen in their day.
Vloggers' audiences have changed from 500ish people to millions in such a short amount of time and it has brought with it some major implications. Some of these have been good; they have given these people some life changing opportunities. The opportunity to do things they would otherwise would never have been able to do, such as to be able to bring out a make-up range or a book. I feel there is a constant argument as to whether vloggers should be considered celebrities? According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a celebrity is "the state of being well known" and yes, when you have over 1 million people watching what you do everyday of your life that surely that makes you well-known.
However, this exponential growth in viewers has had negative impacts too. Imagine the pressure that you would feel if you had millions of people waiting to watch your next video. The surge in viewers has also created a vast gap between a vlogger and their viewers and pandemonium is now a frequent occurrence. Now actual physical barriers have been put up between the two. Imagine how heartbreaking it must be to see people break down in tears because they couldn't meet you. Imagine the feeling of going home knowing how upset that person now is. This isn't what the vlogger ever imagined would have happened when they decided to start a YouTube channel but it's now been added to the list of side effects of the YouTube drug. Further to this, a lot of vloggers are slated for filming collaborations. I disagree. It is a mutual decision between 2 vloggers to film together. It is then the viewers decision what to do next. It is the viewers decision as to whether to subscribe or not. It is the viewers decision as to what they want to watch.
And that's why I think the idea of live shows and panels is far more appealing. Being able to comfortably watch and engage with your favourite YouTubers is a far better option to queuing in a state of hysterics and mania.
Finally, I am saddened by the fact that people want to start a YouTube channel in order to become famous. YouTube should be a place where you make videos and share them with the world because it is your hobby - something you enjoy doing.
I would love to hear your opinion on this so please comment below.
Love,
L
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