YouTube Blog Post
Do you believe that today's YouTube stars are being exploited or empowered? Write a short persuasive piece that shares your opinion.
In a world where virtual Facebook likes and Instagram followers make a a person rejoice and dictate "popularity", a world in which newspapers have become almost non existent -pushed aside by Facebook news feeds - and a world where 80% of the world's population has access to the internet : technology is key. A video sharing website called YouTube, has arisen to be one of the most popular choices for the youth of today where almost half a million YouTube videos are posted daily and 100 million people a day view a YouTube video. As like any industry in the world, there have been some people which have entertained the audience better than others - YouTube stars.
YouTube stars such as KSI, Pewdie Pie and Superwoman rake several million "subscribers" and each respectively have a net billion views to their names. Some would argue that due to the severely pessimistic society we live in today, the negative comments received by these YouTube stars, somehow exploit them and have a negative effect on them, but I am here to argue otherwise. YouTube stars are in fact empowered by the marvelous platform o and the video sharing website is a huge blessing for every single one of them. I say this because of three reasons : like minded fans,YouTube being an equalizer (may sound confusing now, but just hold on) and career possibilities.
Point numéro uno - like minded fans. For all my YouTube whiz's I'll just mention one name and I'll rest my case : "Tyler Oakley". (Stubborn YouTube haters continue reading) Tyler Oakley, is a homosexual gay individual who used to get bullied ten years back due to his sexuality, along comes YouTube and now you find the man has a fan following of 8 million subscribers and gets mobbed for autographs as soon as he walks into the mall! Magic? Nope, well sort off. At the mere age of 16 ( when Tyler was getting bullied) he decided to try out the mystical world of YouTube and started posting about his homosexuality and made humorous videos around it. Unlike his local high school, instead of receiving hate from the local goons , Tyler received massive support from like minded individuals which felt they had a real connection with him, often leaving positive comments. Thus, not only does YouTube provide viewers but it also provides people who can connect and support the Youtube stars.
Point numero dos - YouTube being an equalizer. In countries such as USA and India, with almost every second teen wanting to be the next Brad Pitt or Sharukh Khan, entry into overbanged entertainment industry is close to impossible. From personal stories and experience in India i can tell you that to even get an audition in India, you need to be the son/daughter of an actor/director or you need to know somebody that knows somebody and get in through personal/political influence. The average aspiring Indian has no place to showcase their talent and get a shot at the big leagues, however YouTube has a fix for that as well. YouTube, is accessible to the anybody and everybody meaning that every aspiring entertainer has a place to showcase their talent regardless of their wealth or status. (Hopefully the entertainer has access to Wifi). Thus, YouTube also serves to be an equaliser for your average income entertainer and creates a level playing ground, with no scope for any political or income influence being exercised since every YouTube account has the same prowess.
Point numéro très - Career possibilities. If, the average joe from the paragraph above, manages to make it big, his/her life may be on the verge of flipping 360 degrees. In order to give you an example let introduce you to Jayjay Oblitumze aka KSI - to his 13 million YouTube subscribers. JJ's family started in a two bedroom shack in the suburbs of London, but after YouTube, JJ has bought a 6 bed mansion in London for himself and his family and even added a Lamborghini to his collection of cars. (His brother also a YouTube star recently purchased one). No, this isn't some fraud google ad, this is in fact the power of YouTube. After starting his channel, Rule Em Sports decide to sign him as their brand ambassador, Redbull/Nike/FIFA and Xbox all hired him to promote their brands in his videos and most recently he walked the red carpet at the premiere of his new film. Oh and don't forget he makes money of YouTube every time you watch one of his videos. JJ managed to achieve his dream of being an entertainer and managed to switch his family's life around as well. However this is just the story of one actor, there are thousands of stories of sports stars, cooking whizzes and endless talented individuals who have been scouted through YouTube (Freestyle Brothers and even the "much loved" Justin Bieber). Thus not only does Youtube provide emotional empowerment it provide financial empowerment as well.
In conclusion, the several pros's of being a YouTube star such as the emotional and financial empowerment (who doesn't want a lambo) it provides certainly outweigh the cons. Couple this with the fact, it acts as an equalizer for your average Joe with big aspirations , the benefits of YouTube are tremendous for the people which make it big. Like everything else in life, there will always be anomalies like people who comment negatively on the stars videos but remember ...
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!
(or just disable comments on the video)
