Youtube a Cultural Phenomenon

YouTube: A Cultural Phenomenon

When YouTube was founded in 2005 no one could have imagined that it would grow into such a widespread cultural phenomenon. Started on a whiteboard in the garage of two creative computer techies Chad Hurley and Steven Chen YouTube went on to be acquired by Google for 1.65 billion dollars. Such a small company with a simple Idea has been able to capture the audiences of not just those in the United States but around the world. It has localized global culture and in a sense had “Made the world smaller”, meaning that in one click we have the power to travel the world. People are mistaken if they believe that YouTube is only filled with television shows, home videos, or stunts and pranks. What they do not know is that YouTube has revolutionized everything from entertainment to education, opening new doors for talented individuals, and bringing people together from all over the globe.

In Megan O’Neill’s article on the “5 Ways YouTube has Changed the World Forever”, she describes how YouTube has become a forefront for cultural exploration and education. Before YouTube existed we were able to look up facts about people from other countries, read books about them, or watch documentaries. Now with the invention of YouTube we are able to learn about these people not just from books but from the actual people themselves. We are able to gain a better perception of what it is actually like for life of those in other parts of the countries, whether it is there traditions or the hardships that they struggle with on a daily basis. By giving us this opportunity YouTube has created less of a stereotype or bias against certain people or countries since we are provided which such useful information that crushes the warped perceptions that Americans sometimes have against others. YouTube created a place for those who were once ignorant to the world to see the many cultures and different peoples across the globe.

Another major factor of YouTube that has turned it into a cultural phenomenon is the fact that it has opened the doors and given opportunities for new and upcoming stars. Without YouTube some of the most talented people in the world would not have been discovered. By posting videos on YouTube these performers have been able to gain instant fame due to the amount of viewers and popularity of the site. A specific example of one of these rising stars is Justin Bieber, whose videos of him singing attracted the music manager who gave him the opportunity of lifetime and turned him into a pop icon almost overnight. Before YouTube, there was no easy way to get you seen as a performer. Singers might spend nights singing at small performances or bar gigs with audiences not large enough to get them noticed. YouTube however has millions of viewers which gives them a chance to be discovered.

While YouTube is seen by many as a place only to go to for entertainment