Written Analysis 1

Over the years, there have been many things that have altered the paradigm of society. In recent years, the internet and Facebook come to mind. However, there is a third thing that has stormed into society, and caused many lasting effects -- both positive and negative -- on society: YouTube.

YouTube is a video-sharing website that was founded in 2005, and was later bought by Google in 2006. Since its debut, its popularity has soared to the point that it is one of the most visited websites on the internet, joining the rankings of Google's search engine and Facebook. While initially being a site that allowed its users to share goofy videos with their friends, it has morphed into something much larger. It is now a site where users can not only share their goofy videos with their friends, but they can become huge stars within society as well. People like Justin Bieber, Ray William Johnson, and YouTube users like Smosh, Nigahiga, and KevJumba were all discovered on YouTube. Because of the site, they have been able to cash in and make a career out of their videos, which were previously just uploaded as an outlet for creativity. 

These stars rising up like this has led to the propagation of the popular belief and that not only can anyone become a huge star because of YouTube, but that it is also easy to be recognized. Thousands, if not millions, of users upload videos hoping to be recognized and get something going. It is an unfortunate reality, though, that most of these people never get noticed.

Furthermore, YouTube has also pushed the myth of instant gratification even further. The internet has done wonders -- and at the same time, a disservice -- for society in terms of allowing people to have instant access to a variety of information. YouTube took this one step further with its videos. Anyone can search YouTube for a tutorial on just about anything, and chances are they will probably find it. This has had a huge effect on society, as it has pushed them more towards needing things right this second, rather than waiting, or even figuring something out themselves.

Nevertheless, YouTube is an icon and will remain one for quite some time. Alongside the likes of Facebook and Twitter, maintaining a YouTube account is almost mandatory now for a business to be successful. It is so ingrained in people's lives because it is not only a great form of communication, but it is also a remarkable platform for marketing. For example, the 2008 and 2012 Presidential elections made extensive use of YouTube to help push people to one side or the other. Not only that, it is also a great way for people to be discovered, even if the majority of the people hoping to be discovered never get discovered. No longer does a person have to have the right connections with people in order to become successful. All it takes is a simple click of the mouse and a video can be shared with millions of people. That is the power of YouTube.

By looking at YouTube through these three topics -- popular beliefs, myths, and icons -- I am able to appreciate YouTube for what it has done for society. At the same time, I am also able to understand the negative impact it has had on society as well, due to the meteoric rise of people expecting instant gratification. Overall, however, I believe YouTube has had more of a positive impact on society rather than a negative one. Years from now, people will look back at the 2000s and 2010s and instantly connect these decades to YouTube, because of its monstrous impact -- both good and bad -- on people's lives.