StupidTube, by Chris Blees
NOTES: Origins and Context | See Also
[ X ]
Origins of this content
This texteo was made by Chris Blees as his final for 2010 LFYT.
Contextualization
Many companies have sought to capitalize on the potential for viral marketing inherent in videos on YouTube. In turn, this movement has also given rise to YouTube celebrities such as lonelygirl15, who was featured in a series of diary-styled videos as teenage Vlogger (video blogger), Bree, but was later revealed to be professional actress, Jessica Lee Rose.[cit]

"He actually watched my videos and was like, 'Man, I should have let this kid sing,' " he said. "And he flew me back to Atlanta. I got to sing for him, and then a week later, I had a meeting with Justin Timberlake. They both kind of wanted me."[cit]


But Dodson, a product of the social media generation, says he immediately pegged his Internet fame as a vehicle out of poverty. "I said, Kelly, this could be an opportunity for our family to get out of the 'hood," he recalls.[cit]
[ X ]
More videos related to the content of this page
"My manager found me on YouTube." Justin Bieber

The phenomenon of YouTube has redefined how we view the presentation of our media, corporate and user-generated. YouTube has also redefined celebrity, acting both as a platform to stardom for new artists, and regulating factor over current celebrities. The process has shifted: the user uploads their work to become famous; pre-YouTube, the celebrities were the only ones with access (MTV) to display their work (We have gone from famous-presentation to presentation-famous.)

For every artist who does convert from user-uploaded fame to corporate entity via their visceral talent in their respective media, there are hundreds of "artists" who become popular for their misgivings, and sheer stupidity.

So is the way to become famous on YouTube to be stupid? I don't blame YouTube, although their medium allows such actions to become monetized, but is it fair for these " artists" to become rich/famous/successful because they have failed/are being laughed at/ridiculed? Is that acceptable, not only on YouTube, but in society? Are there consequences for encouraging acts such as these? Whatever works, Antoine.

It is quite possible we will begin to see more and more of these self-made Youtube celebrities. Whether this is a viable career choice, random chance, or real talent, will depend on the nature of Youtube's promotion for media, a system which, so far, has favored the immaterial and wasteful.