I can sum up my take on YouTube in one sentence: Everybody wants an audience!
However, I know I should probably say more, so hear goes.
My first experience with YouTube was quite recent (within the last year). My husband (who has a sick sense of humor) wanted me to see some 'silly thing' on YouTube. I think it was a video from "JACKASS" or of people performing "Jackass-like" stunts. Also, occasionally, my email buddies have sent me links to various "YouTube productions" (if you will). Some are quite funny and good and some are just plain stupid, awful and lack creativity.
Months ago, if you were to have given me the equivalent of the Rorschach Inkblot Test and put the words, You Tube in my face, my first response would have been, "young bored white kids". But in such a short time, it appears that EVERYONE, except me of course, is on YouTube. Just this morning, there was a news story (I watch Channel 2 - The Early Show) on YouTube and presidential candidates. It seems the candidates are all using YouTube as a way to reach the masses. However, like everything in life, there are pros and cons to this 'new literacy'. One of the problems with YouTube is - you can be videotaped and put on the internet without your knowledge or permission. This was, apparently, the case with the recent video of Senator Obama. His camp claims the recent YouTube video (though not damaging in any way) did not originate from the Senator. However, on the other hand, if marketing yourself or a product is your objective...or if you're a 'frustrated artist' as many of us are... or just have something to say, YouTube could be the way to go.
However, I know I should probably say more, so hear goes.
My first experience with YouTube was quite recent (within the last year). My husband (who has a sick sense of humor) wanted me to see some 'silly thing' on YouTube. I think it was a video from "JACKASS" or of people performing "Jackass-like" stunts. Also, occasionally, my email buddies have sent me links to various "YouTube productions" (if you will). Some are quite funny and good and some are just plain stupid, awful and lack creativity.
Months ago, if you were to have given me the equivalent of the Rorschach Inkblot Test and put the words, You Tube in my face, my first response would have been, "young bored white kids". But in such a short time, it appears that EVERYONE, except me of course, is on YouTube. Just this morning, there was a news story (I watch Channel 2 - The Early Show) on YouTube and presidential candidates. It seems the candidates are all using YouTube as a way to reach the masses. However, like everything in life, there are pros and cons to this 'new literacy'. One of the problems with YouTube is - you can be videotaped and put on the internet without your knowledge or permission. This was, apparently, the case with the recent video of Senator Obama. His camp claims the recent YouTube video (though not damaging in any way) did not originate from the Senator. However, on the other hand, if marketing yourself or a product is your objective...or if you're a 'frustrated artist' as many of us are... or just have something to say, YouTube could be the way to go.
1 comment:
I think you have an important point, Leslie. Media and current events have also used YouTube (and MySpace -- see John McCain's page for an example) as networks through which to work. In some sense, education is a bit late coming to understand the power of sites like these and memes, even if silly or nonsensical.
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