Comments on: YouTube

By: Dan Pierson

Dan Pierson — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:21:44 +0000

A lot music that I am into happened before video recording was widely available. So, there isn’t much live footage of these musicians and the little bit that exists on DVD or video cassette is really hard to find. When youtube came around people uploaded tons of great footage of videos that are extremely rare. I use Youtube as more of an educational tool than anything else. If it wasn’t for Youtube I probably would never get to see live footage of someone like Art Tatum.

By: Luke Kaiser

Luke Kaiser — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:53:13 +0000

“Is it just the possibility that is enticing?”

Yes. Everyone, at some point, has probably had a thought that they believed was worth sharing with the world. Now, through YouTube, they have a method of doing so. Popularity aside, their video is just as available to everyone on the site; I imagine at least one of the people who posts videos regularly derives some sort of happiness from that.

By: Calli Leventis

Calli Leventis — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:37:58 +0000

Is youtube more about the hold technology has on us, the fascination we have with technology, or the fascination we have with ourselves? Because the way I see it, the schlumps on youtube are more interested in seeing themselves in pretty moving pictures than they are with “cool” effects and creating something “artistic,” via technology. Granted, the technology allows a youtube video-maker to reach millions (potentially, but not probably) of people, but is that central to its appeal, considering that no one is going to be watching your lame video? Is it just the possibility that is enticing?

By: Austin Maske

Austin Maske — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:11:52 +0000

What does this take away from society though. Does it make us less personal because we can avoid the face to face contact with people. We can potentially reach a billion people off youtube and never leave your little apartment where you’ve been for six straight months playing World of Warcraft. I think that it can be used as a great tool no doubt, but the lack of actual interaction that people could use it for is a cheap way out. Not to mention the idiotic comments that people seem to rattle off on every video even if it is something that should win an Oscar.

By: Luke Kaiser

Luke Kaiser — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:01:13 +0000

I have watched 4078 videos. YouTube, anthropologically, could be viewed as a cultural portrait; one could identify at least a few things about a culture by learning what is popular within it, and YouTube, since it is not controlled externally, simplifies that process.

Personally, YouTube is a resource for opinions that I think are worthwhile and a place where I can find something quick and funny if I need to kill some time. Its versatility is important to its appeal, as it means that I can watch a documentary about string theory while my sisters can watch the Harry Potter Puppet Pals. YouTube appeals to every audience.

By: Katherine Anderson

Katherine Anderson — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:22:08 +0000

Youtube hasn’t directly effected me much. I watch music videos occasionally, and every once in a while people send me funny clips, but a very small percentage of the time i spend online i spend on youtube, and if the entire website came down, i would definitely hear about it from other people before i discovered for myself (when it comes to facebook, however, i would be the one spreading the news).

That’s why i didn’t say how many videos i’ve watched. no account. sorry, brad.

By: Brad Thompson

Brad Thompson — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:52:08 +0000

Thank you Dan for saying how many videos you’ve watched. you’re cool.

This post hasn’t sparked much debate, and that’s probably mostly my fault, so I want to throw some more questions out there that you can feel free to talk about.

How has youtube affected you? Changed you or your way of life? For some of you more than others I’m sure. Maybe to some it is just a place to waste time, whereas for others it might be wonderful because it is a great place to look up your favorite songs or clips.

What about the fact that youtube is so versatile? It can be used for vlogs, funny videos, inspiring ideas, start phenomenons (soulja boy, numa numa, etc.), artist expressions, a new community, used as a teaching Aid (like in this class for example) and many other things.

What do you think about youtube as a form of entertainment, that is not controlled by the users, not by any corporations.

Feel free to touch on any of these or anything else that is youtube inspired.

By: Dan Pierson

Dan Pierson — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:36:12 +0000

I’ve watched 239 videos.

I agree with Kat on how someone committing suicide on a webcam doesn’t make me more pessimistic towards humanity. Technology opens the world up to how some people really are. I’ve seen so many videos of people doing something and there will be numerous comments ridiculing the video. Someone would have never said this stuff if they were face to face, but through youtube we can see the true nature of whoever is commenting. When someone is anonymous on the internet they are fearless.

By: Katherine Anderson

Katherine Anderson — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:09:41 +0000

“We now have a networked individualism (more person to person, not place to place). Then he talks about cultural inversion. The more individual we become, the more we long for community. The more independent we are, the more we want relationships, etc.”
I like this, and I think it is fun to consider how relationships are changing, because we are no longer bound by location.

Cases such as the guy committing suicide on webcam do not make me feel more pessimistic towards humanity, nor do the Youtube comments mentioned in the quote in Brad’s post. Just because people are now more likely to say horrible things does not mean they were not thinking them before we had a more socially acceptable outlet. Also, many people say kind things on youtube too, leaving complimentary comments on videos of people they don’t know, which gets overlooked in the midst of all of the insults.

By: Lihy E.

Lihy E. — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 22:10:29 +0000

I typically watch videos to hear the music. Lately I’ve been watching Jem, Dido, and Frou Frou videos to hear their music. I’m not all that interested in original works.

That clip is really amazing…I’m tempted to watch the hour long version. Maybe we could do that for a movie screening?

How much of our lives are/will be transformed by the emergence of technology? Already it appears we can’t survive without facebook…or myspace. For those among us who can’t handle interpersonal relations well…there’s eharmony or other dating websites. Conducting research is much easier and we have access to more through technological methods.

Dan commented with a hyperlink of the guy who committed suicide while on a webcam in a different post. How does the emergence of such cases impact how we view society as a whole?