How YouTube Changed The Media
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

YouTube Changed The Media To Be More Representative Of Our World

Traditional media could learn a few things from the internet.

97
YouTube Changed The Media To Be More Representative Of Our World

Perhaps one of the internet's most successful platforms is YouTube— the website that a decade ago consisted of funny home videos and a few book reviews but now consists of everything from "the history of the entire world I guess" to 16-year-olds doing a tour of their brand new Range Rover. As the content of YouTube changed over the years, so did media as we know it.

One doesn't have to look hard in the vastness of YouTube to find a twenty-something-year-old that has made enough money to buy a house, a car, and everything else under the sun solely through making videos. Liza Koshy, for example, is one of the many figures on YouTube that now has over 16M subscribers and a millionaire's tax bracket to match with that. Did I mention she's only twenty-two and doesn't have a college degree?

When I look at people like Liza Koshy, I begin to see how much our perception of fame has changed over time. A decade ago, our perception of what a "celebrity" is was drastically different. We viewed people like Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan as celebrities, all of whom have signed contracts, auditioned, and rehearsed to make it to the big screen. Now, however, people look to YouTubers as equally, if not more, influential as the ones that belong to traditional media.

Perhaps what makes YouTubers so entertaining and influential is their ability to be so relatable. Now more than ever, people of all races, ethnicities, sexualities, gender identities, sizes, and interests, can watch someone on a screen that they actually have something in common with. Also, so many of the creators on YouTube use their platform for an amazing cause. Whether it's to make girls of all sizes feel beautiful, promote mental health, or have discussions regarding difficult yet crucial topics, creators have shown that they don't only make videos to entertain, but to also make a change. In doing so, YouTubers have created a new form of media that is built on inclusivity.

Conversely, old, or traditional media has been historically known to virtually ignore the existence of many groups and perpetuate systematic oppression in society. From the "nuclear family" to the "American dream," traditional media has given so many people false expectations and a sense of distaste towards their own lives.

Whether it's new or old media, there's always room to improve. We still have a long way to go in making what we see on the screen an honest yet beautiful depiction of the world we live in. And the best part is, all you need is a camera, wifi, and an idea to make that happen.

So, thanks YouTube.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

51788
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33252
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956168
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181102
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments