Technologies and the Future of Writing Spring 2008

If they had any bad feeling about it at all, that should of told them right there not to do it.

It may not be illegal, but it is unethical. Unlike a real movie or TV show, these men where purposefully exploiting viewers online. There would have been no reason for the viewers to think the videos were fake (unlike when we go to a movie and know the characters are played by paid actors). Since there is no universally accepted ethical guidelines for online postings to sites like YouTube, I guess the creators thought their actions could be justified. However, I still think that creating a massive plan to deceive countless viewers like they did is not a good way to represent YouTube and similar spaces.

very strange switch in professional fields. Is plastic surgery that closely linked to the entertainment industry in the first place?

i dont think they are THAT closely related to make such a drastic switch...kind of creepy in my opinion

Interesting switch in fields.

That is crazy. It's weird to think little ideas like this really could go a long way if you are talented enough. This "lie" changed his life. Good for him.

It's amazing at how far this guy went to make this Lonlygirl15 happen.

Seems harmless enough.

I completely agree. What would you think if you walked into a set like that?

Why wouldn't anyone like a show in which they can relate to? This is why I read certain books, because I can relate to the characters in some way. Reality TV has really became a hit in the US. I actually do enjoy some of these new shows.

Most of the reality shows are extreme case setups. I wonder if that encourages people to react extreme in life. They put you on an emotional overcharge to keep you viewing. Reality is a very lose term for them and even with LonleyGirl they admitted they didn't get the big hits until they made it "emotional".

He clearly has something wrong with him. This is not only unhealthy but a bit scary!

I agree with kaeanne... something's wrong... and creepy here

This guy is a mess...a smart mess though. Does he make a lot of money off this? It has always blown my mind that you can come up wiht such a simple idea and get all the media coverage for it. I'm still waiting for my big break.

This paragrapgh really got me thinking about the videos we watched on Lonely Girl. I didn't even seem to pick up on what was hanging in the closet or that things still had price tags on them. Can you see those details from the videos?

It makes you think about the discussion we had in class the other day about people portraying themselves as whoever they want to be portrayed as. It is amazing that you could think something that seems so real, like an ordinary girl with boy problems, can actually be completely fake!

It just proves that things aren't always what they seem to be. This is a huge problem with the freedom that the internet provides to those not mature enough to use it responsibly.

I never knew that it was a fake scene! It reminds me of the discussion we had in class the other day about how people can fake their identies. Most the people in the class just kept using the words, "It's weird" and "Creepy", and that is the only way I know how to describe the crazy phenomon about how people can change who they are and portray themselves as completely different people on the Internet.

I spoke to soon in my previous sticky note. I didn't fully believe her when she said that she only had one friend. Does it say gullable on the wall? I think it does..

This doesn't actually bother me. I am a huge fan of reality TV, which we all know is HEAVILY staged and scripted. Who cares that this is too. It's entertainment. Remember how we are always taught not to believe everything we read? That we are to approach everything we read with a critical eye? The same goes for these videos. If we question what we see, the validity of it and the impact we as the viewer choose to assign it to our lives, it shouldn't matter if the video is real or fake.

I thought it was crazy how it was all shot inside of his own bedroom. What's more is that it seems to have made him a bit of a recluse.

I cannot believe that someone would think of such a show. Who has that much time on their hands? Just to think a two-minute posting turned into something everyone talked about.

It just boggles my mind how one video turned into 45. I wonder what made him do this, did he want the attention? Where did the story line come from?

I heard of LonelyGirl before and saw some of her videos and it intrigued me because it was kind of Degrassi-esque, but I really wondered if it was true or not because it shows her being kidnapped and I was wondering why there wasn't an outcry because she was kidnapped, but I had a suspicion that this was all fake, just like all the other shows out there. One thing I have learned over the years is dont believe everything you say/hear.

I think this is "genius." Who would think to create a mini, self-run almost TV like series?

I wander how many times he actually retransformed his room, it seems way too tiring for me. I have a hard enough time cleaning my room and taking the stuff I need to take home for a weekend.

I think this is pretty creative.

Some books today are written in the form of IM/Blog conversations. I think this is more personal way of writing and communicating

Is he trying to compensate for his short comings now? Is Lonelygirl really a success for him? Well, I guess that's the way he sees it.

So lonelygirl seems to not only be his story, but also his obsession. It is like the characters people create in MUDs and then they become obsessed with them.

I have never heard of Lonelygirl before, but it is interesting to think about. Today's Internet capabilities allow people to portray themselves in a quite deceiving mannner. This is what's part of the dangers of the Internet. We believe that just because someone has a video or picture, what they post is automatically true. However, this can be quite far from the truth.

It really makes me wonder what type of research if any he conducted to make it believeable to an audience that a 27 year old male knew the thoughts of a young teen girl? Its very weird and a little disconcerting.

This is an example how the Internet allows people to create false identities and new "selves". In this case, an unpopular, awkward young man grows to be a "needed" and "wanted" person on the web. This show has given him tremendous opportunites, far from what he experienced growing up.

This also relates to Sherry Turkle's article about creating characters on the internet. It becomes a fantasy world and a new way to explore life for some people

It seems like these types of people always come up with smart or creative ideas that somehow bring attention to themselves.

I really don't think she was the "perfect character" by any means. The inticing aspect is that some can relate to her but her character is very plain and is seen all over the televsion. The reason this is such a hit is the new medium of tv online not because of the character herself.

i agree, i don't find her amusing, i find her annoying. i don't get what all the fuss is about?!

I agree. I was watching and wondering if people really thought this girl was for real. I mean I know it's fake now, but I feel like I would have thought that had it not become public. I still haven't figured out how people can become obsessed with these bloggers or vloggers. Get up and do something!

This only proves many comments made earlier...CREEPER, disturbed, twisted, sick. This is bizzare.

II wonder if where he came from really has anything to do with his werid idea to start this Lonelygirl15 internet explosion.

I am sure it had something to do with the individual he became. Maybe that was why he was more successful dealing in an online world where he could stay "behind the scenes".

This just seems so strange to me...I can't imagine hosting a fake show in my bedroom, and then responding to e-mails as this fictional person. This is, in fact, kind of creepy. I would feel wrong doing this and very uncomfortable.

I believe this is a good point but just put way out of context. The author didn't have to explain hidden ideas, because film is seen as an art form. People are used to having a suspension of disbelief when watching a film. Video blogging isn't an art form and people don't know the difference between real or not real yet. Others on the internet truly use blogging as a personal outlet. People may now find all blogs to be misleading, the writing space may lose its verisimilitude due to this controversy.

This is an interesting point about society and art. We place a lot of value on nonfiction now, much more than we used to. People are getting caught writing "fake" memiors and getting in a lot of trouble for it. We might not expect actors who play the parts to be the real characters, but we often do expect characters to be real.

Does this make it O.K.?

They probably want to make an episode dealing with an issue similar to this because of how twisted it is!

I think that this was a big risk he quit a job that he could have made a a lot of money for one were he could have failed.

doesn't this tell us something?!

Many of the "reality" shows we watch today are scripted and not real at all. This makes the lonelygirl situation more understandable, but no less creepy just because it seems as if one guy decided upon this himself. I wonder how much input the actress had, since she is a girl and all.

I can understand the appeal of the Loneygirl15 "show" in relation to it being Internet TV. But I still think it is a little creepy that we are willing to accept this guy's lie and justify it as TV itself, even going as far as to identify the genres it fits into.

I believe that the producers should have come forward and said that the blogs were a ficticious story. I don't feel it is right to use people as guinea pigs when they have no recollection of it. Stories like this make me personally not trust the internet.

Right now, I don't know how I feel about this online show, so to speak. I think it is extremely weird, since I have not had enough time to become accustomed to it. Hopefully, after I continue reading, I will understand where this man who created Lonelygirl15 is coming from.

I find it very interesting that he grew up without television and has sort of moved on to television on the internet. It depicts how technology has changed over time, and sort of hints that television on the internet could ultimately take over. In a way, it already has for Flinders.

The producer had never been exposed to much televisiona nd its amazing that that is all he is consumed in today. He doesn't like traditional television, but i feel there is something more honest about television. As viewers we have a suspension of disblief when we watch fictional stories on TV. The people watching lonelygirl blogs didn't know what to believe.

A lot of people don't have time to sit down and watch an hour show on television. With the expansion of computers and internet videos people can watch 15 two minute videos just on their lunch break.

It didnt even cross my mind at first that this may not be legal. If the men were so worried that it would be illegal, maybe it should be. I mean they were trying to pretend to be a 15 yr old girl and talk to people. Not only are Hollywood movies known to be fictional, none of the characters hold conversations or email its viewers. I think that underneath the video it should have stated this is not a true person, everything you have seen is fictional, or something of that nature.

It is alittle upsetting that these producers where making money and fame off of something so misleading. Many people invested they time and feelings into lonelygirl and never knew that she was fake. They would give advice and truly felt for her. I don't know if it's right to make money off of a lie.

I find it interesting that agents and producers didn't find much in his stories or scripts, but so many people tuned in all the time to see lonelygirl's blogs. You never know what the public will see as entertainment.

Viewers love being in control of the plot. We love to see things go our way, the way we want it. It is so frustrating when you have to go along with the way the editors want the show to go.

I have trouble deciding whether I would feel betrayed or not had I caught onto the LonelyGirl15 phenomenon earlier. I think the craziest part is the elaborate set up of her e-mail responses and so on.

I think this is what makes lonelygirl15 so interesting. I see her as represent all of teenage amercian boredoom. Small town, one friend and a stuffed animal. When I feel lonely, I write. When she feels lonely, she blogs.

Too much work? Is this guy serious? He never leaves the room, it is not that much work to make a bed and hang a few pictures. I think the success is going to this guy's head.

This is exactly the point I was trying to make about YouTube-that it turns the average person, in this case he struggles to become a director, into just that, a director. He created this set and these characters and put them out there. Millions of people followed. Isn't this his dream?

I guess valueing Facebook at $15 billion is a bit too much, too, then? That's what Microsoft valued Facebook at when it bought a less than 2% share....

I can see why Youtube is worth what it is - the flow of information is so consistent and phenomenal...I guess no matter what, it's going to be worth a lot

Youtube is also like the fascination people have with blogs, it is a way to get your ideas, opinions, views, and anything else that you, yourself, produce out into the world. Youtube lets you publish for the world to see!

That is unbelievable that google is making that much money a year. What did people do before Google was invented, I guess I can not even imaigine a life with out Google anymore. No body even thinks to use a paperback dictionary or go to the libarey to find information, not when you have such an easy resource like Google ready at all times.

I could never sell Google short. Google is my go to website for EVERYTHING. I use google to search at least twice a day. I use Gmail as my second source of e-mail. I use Google calendar to keep myself organized. I now use Googleblog for one of my classes. I even use the scholarly journal search engine. It's convenient and i always find what I'm looking for.

This is rediculous. I do not know why everyone is making such a big deal about a cat falling alseep. Yeah the cat is cute but still to be watched 2 million times in just two weeks....what are people doing on their time off!?!

I find it interesting to see what some people spend their money on. $1.62 billion could be used for so many more productive things and could help so many people in need, yet they spend it on a video of a cat?

I thought this video was adorable and I'm not even a fan of cats. It's nice to watch something that wasn't rehearsed and is just naturally entertaining. This video is what I call short and sweet.

I dont see why someone can say if you are not blogging you do not exist. People have other things to do. Some people enjoy technology and blogging and posting and others dont. Just because someone doesnt like to blog doesnt mean they are not living. Maybe they are more private or scared to post informtion.

I think that facts are amazing about how many people are watching these videos. 65,000 videos is crazy I dont see how people can keep up with adding videos or even just watching them on their spare time.

it is funny because as all of these are ;isted, i remember watching them...youtube has become so integrated into my daily life...

This comedian preformed this dance at the class of 2011 freshman orientation! He was hilarious and told us to check out his website AND search him on youtube.

I think this video is brilliant because it's original, entertaining, and shows real talent. Videos like this one is worth sharing but you have to sort through hundreds and hundreds of pointless ones to come across one worth your time.

I think this is a very interesting video, When watching this clip it looks like the room is spinnig back and forth. I have also noticed that he doesn't wear very bright colors and he never smiles.

This is odd. I don't understand the point of do this. I cannot believe that it was viewed by that many people in six weeks. Why would someone find this cool, I find it weird.

I think this is interesting to see but the question remains in my head: where do people find the time to do this?

I agree that this is horrifying and cruel, but I'm not sure about the hilarious part. I literally cringed for most of the video and had to turn it off after a minute or two. The look on that poor guy's face! It's amazing to see what kind of videos are posted, and I can't even imagine what it must be like to be the person millions of people have laughed at mercilessly.

I agree that this is horrifying and cruel, but I'm not sure about the hilarious part. I literally cringed while watching it, and had to turn it off after a minute or two. The look on that poor guy's face! It's amazing to see the kinds of videos people post. I can't even imagine being the person that millions of people watch and laugh at mercilessly.

This is why people step on the train of you tube. They want to make something out of them self by stepping out into the world and I mean the whole wide world. Maybe they think something bigger and better will come out of the video or posting.

I only watch videos that are pointed out to me on YouTube, but I never just go searching for videos. This one was hysterical. I have to admit I laughed aloud when I saw it. But then when I think about it, why does someone take the time to make these videos and post them? Yes it's funny, but you definitely have way too much time on your hands to make silly videos like these.

I know this video was featured on VH1 as one of the most famous youtube phenomenons.

I completely disagree. I have not posted a thing on youtube or virtually anywhere except for this classroom module but I still exist, and the world isn't going to end just because I don't post.

I found these statements very though provoking. It was previously thought that to exist you needed to make your presence known to mainly those people around you but now with the changing technology has it become necessary to make yourself known to millions of other people you may never directly talk to or meet?

That is truly ashame. The more he read or attempted to read, the redder his ears became. I like to laugh at people just as much as the next person and, quite honestly, sometimes even more. I can appreciate being irreverent, but this was just too painful to watch. I hope his parents don't ever get to watch this or view the mean spirited comments.

I am pretty horrified that they let him suffer like that, especially after you realize he isn't doing too well after the first minute.

I personally did not find this to be hilarious at all. I felt so bad for the guy but it's admirable that he continued with it (knowing that he messed up and wasn't doing well). In situations like these, I put myself in the other person's shoes, which I think everyone should do, and then I bet they wouldn't be laughing.

Funny, entertaining and I can understand why it has gotten 35 million views. I thought is was especially funny when he paid homage to the Brady Bunch!

This video definitely brought me back to the days of my middle school dances. However, what is even more hilarious is how many of these dances I still saw recently at my cousins sweet sixteen.

It's funny that they referenced this particular video. I actually met Judson Laipply, we booked him for freshman orientation this past summer. His act was awesome and really captivated the audience. I also remember hims specifically addressing the fact that you could find this video on youtube and directing the freshman to the site.

I just made a comment about how I saw him at freshman orientation! Then I read this comment, we said the same thing!

It's about time that Hollywood and the media elite realize that they do not have the monopoly on video-entertainment. You-Tube provides a great outlet for amateur singers, comedians, writers, and interactive storytellers. It's all part of the technological evolution, which is a force that appears to be unstoppable.

Interesting. I think he aged well in six years! The same eye contact, same facial expression, and the gloom and doom music were weird. I don't there there was enough contrast in the environment to appreciate the subtle changes.

I really saw no point for this video. I've seen videos similar to this one that show women during their gestation period with the same concept, a picture is taken once a day everyday. That at least would be a cute keepsake for the parents and child but this video has no purpose, I kept watching it, hoping it would get to a point but it never did.

Isn't this what most of YouTube is? People, particularly young adults flooding sites like Youtube with obnoxious videos of themselves singing and dancing - sometimes both? I should know...I'm on there.

I couldn't help but laugh histerically at this video because I know how it feels to be put in the spotlight and freeze all of a sudden. I was in my first pageant my senior year of high school and when I went up for the question, I didn't understand it, so I just kind of stood there, stared at the person who asked me, couldn't make my mouth move and just walked away. Looking back it was hysterical, but at the time I was mortified. This poor guy, he's doing good, he just needs to boost his confidence! He's so stressed!

I absolutely love this line! It reminds me of the original idea for YouTube and its use. Despite it now being commonly used in educational settings, let's face it - many still use YouTube simply for fun, for sharing, and for expression.

This sentence really sums up what has led to the success of YouTube. It has revolutionize the way that people think and act. We are a "YouTube" society. We love posting our own videos and watching videos that others post. We use it for entertainment purposes and educational purposes. YouTube has become a major part of many people's lives all over the world.

It is astounding to actually sit down and think about how much of a "You Tube" country we've become. I, like many others around the world, have probably spent hours in my lifetime searching and exploring videos on You Tube. It is becoming almost a second nature where we have grown to "just go to You Tube" or "just have to see this video." It is really changing our lives.

In thinking about how much video-sharing has become mainstream, one could compare it to blogging. Just a short while ago, blogging was this 'new' thing for teenagers and young adults, that eventually became a common practice (just look at how many people have a Myspace even, let alone sites dedicated just to blog posting). I think now video-sharing is taking this same path, with more and more people finding it commonplace.

In 2006, Time magazine named YOU as their person of the year. This was in reference to the online boom of sharing, whether through social networks, blogs, or videos. The article talked about the new generation of computer users and their reasons for wanting to share their personal moments so freely. I am still wary of putting everything out there, but I do have pictures on MySpace.

I think I typed over someone else's comment. I am jgirl0910, not Kimmerz

Youtube.com is enabling everyone to gain their 15 minutes of fame. You don't have to be on television anymore, you just need a camera and internet access and you could become a celebrity.

I agree with this statement. We are living in a world where we are quite self-centered. You Tube, MySpace, and Facebook provide great examples. We love to post pictures of ourselves for others to see and share with others "how great the party was last weekend". Really, if you think about it, the Internet does provide many with a moment in the spotlight. Even large companies are aware of this by using You Tube videos for advertising purposes. They are much cheaper than paying actors or people to come up with commercial ideas and scripts. Instead, they can underpay people on You Tube to make a much greater profit, without the people even realizing it. They're just happy that their video is on TV.

same idea with blogging....we want people to read our ideas and see us as humans....we get affirmation from their posts about us

This relates to the readings we did for Tuesday, too, specifically "We Are the Web." I'm curious what the sample population was. Considering how many people have blogs, YouTube accounts, webpages, and accounts on other subject-specific websites, I would think 38% was rather low. I wonder if they surveyed peope in general, or people using the Web.

This made me think of the recent switch of political advertisements and commercials shown on tv to now being formatted and constructed to be soley used for youtube and geared towards the youtube audience. Recently, Obama created a video that has received millions of views on youtube and in my opinion it is one of the most influential and most well made political advertisements I've ever seen

Plus, it's excruciating! I felt so bad for him that I just wanted to turn the thing off! It has to be so embarrassing! But instead of eventually forgetting about it--or hoping you can forget about it--YouTube makes it public! It makes embarrassing moments that much more horrifying, and I can't understand how people can get such pleasure out of someone else's pain. It's kind of like a visual gossip center on the web, and though some postings are completely innocent (like the sleeping kitty), others are just plain cruel.

This seems like it would be something that would be very stupid to do I would like to know who some of the people are that viewed this to ask them why!

I think youtube IS worth a lot of money. Why? Cheap entertainment.... it's ridiculous but it is true

I think this is why Youtube is very alluring to kids and teens. The idea of fame really gets to them. I've seen it personally, and I worry that it is dangerous for them... But the allure of fame is one we can't fight easily against

I just hope this isn't inappropriate...

THAT is just scary. What ever happened to "I THINK therefore I am"?!!! Why is it we need to exist to random people that don't exist in our consciousness in order to BE SOMEBODY? It's silly and stupid.

Maybe I am behind the times, but exactly how does a free website become profitable? Is it just advertising, or is there another way to make money?

I need help understanding how YouTube makes its profits. I know advertising, but is there another source of income?

This is funny because I just added this to my other blog. I love this guy's moves! He almost does the Fresh Prince of Bel Air dances better than Will and Carlton.

I feel so bad for this poor guy. It goes from bad to worse. I know what its like to get tongue-tied but the trick is to stay calm. The moment he felt embarrassed he just messed up more and more. Poor guy.

I'm not sure I would go as far as to claim this. Yes, video-sharing and such is and will continue to have a major impact; however, I think watching TV has become too much of a social force with the general American population to say that it is on the brink of ending. New innovations, such as YouTube, may become popular quickly but this does not mean socially-ingrained innovations, such as the 'blue light' of TV, will disappear quickly.

I am not sure I would go as far as to claim this.

This is so funny. And he really got all the dance moves right! I was actually surprised that he could dance that well.

Ithought this would have been more interesting if the background would have told a story, kind of like a personality stuck in time in his surroudings. Especially since his expression never changed, it might have added a little more for me than just watching his hair change.

So adorable... even comical (I was dying laughing) But also proves how far youtube has come to where we can post the most ridiculous videos online.

Just as any writer submits work to be published, Youtube can be seen as the 21 century's publishing through video. It is about making yourseld known and sharing your creativity with others. However, not all videos deserve to be credited as creative and meaningful.

This sort of evokes the idea of the machine and the person and how they are one in some ways. The idea that we teach the machine. I also find the idea that you must post to exist in the world. Do we really need to post all our ideas on the internet in order to have an identity?

Wow. This was hard to watch! I feel bad for him...but it looks like he did not prepare at all and actually should not continue on in the sportscasting world.

I wouldn't call this "mesmerizing", but it was creative. It reminded me of a scene in the movie Napoleon Dynamite.

I wouldn't say this video is "mesmerizing", but it is entertaining. I reminds me of a scene in the movie Napoleon Dynamite.

This was adorable. Everyone should watch "The Mean Kitty Song" video because it is really funny. Anyone who has ever had a kitten will appreciate this video.

This was adorable. Anyone that has ever had a kitten should also watch the YouTube video called "The Mean Kitty Song".

I found this song to be "fetching" also. I have seen other youtube videos with this song playing.

I thought this Romanian pop song is "weirdly fetching" and I have seen many videos with people lipsyncing to it.

True! I like YouTube...I find it very entertaining.

I think YouTube is a great entertainment site. It is interesting to see what people can come up with.

"Therefore you are" in the "computer world"...this does not mean that you do not exist in the "real world".

This relates to the digital world, but this does not mean that one does not exist outside of that world. This is where I think people are getting confused with what reality really is.

This was probably the worst video I've ever seen. I can not believe 3 million people actually watched it. How boring. I tried to think of how it would be if I were to take a photo everyday and I think I would actually try to look good for each one and maybe switch up hairstyles and makeup.

HAHA...That video was actually funny. I actually saw this one before. I don't watch many you tube videos so I was surprised to see one in this article that I have seen before. I have always wondered do people get paid if their video gets viewed a certain amount of times?

I didn't even know what a blog was until last semester when I had to do them for Intro to Advertising... according to Mr. Rishad Tobaccowala I didnt exist. Maybe I still dont exist in his eyes because I have never posted anything on Youtube, I barely watch the videos. I can not believe how serious people are these days about the internet. IDK maybe I am missing something....but reality is not inside the computer.

I can see way it received nearly 35 million views. It is hysterical. I can remember dancing to these songs and making a fool out of myself. It was great fun.

I can understand why it received nearly 35 million views. I think it is hysterically funny. I can remember dancing to these same songs and making a complete fool of myself. I loved it.

I can understand why "evolution of dance" has gotten nearly 35 million views in six months. It is hysterically funny. I remember dancing to these same songs. I acted like an idiot and loved every minute of it.

Everyone longs for their moment in the limelight, their two minutes of fame. It reminds me of the people who try out for "American Idol." They do it for a chance to be on TV. They don't care if they sound horrible. They are like the guy in the "Muma Muma video.

Everyone is looking for their two minutes of fame. It reminds me of the people who try out for "American Idol," they have no talent. They just want to be noticed, like the guy on the "Muma Muma" video.

Everyone is looking for their 2 minutes of fame. It reminds me of the people who try out for the TV show, "American Idol,"they have no talent. They just want to view themselves on TV. The guy on the "Muma Muma video probably did it for his small minutes of fame.

This part about anonymous life made me think about Sherry Turke's article, "Who am We?" and the idea that people use anonymity as a disguise. People can be something they are not and take on a whole new identity, whether in a blog or a game.

I think videos like this are good for the internet. They are a form of entertainment and can amuse you. I don't think that it is misleading in anway.

I think videos liek this are good for the internet because they are used as entertainment. I don't think that they are misleading in anyway.

I personally don't have a problem with youtube making money. I think it is a great source of entertainment and it doesn't mislead viewers as much as other sites. It is all up to the poster. If you post a video on youtube it is your credability. Its like anyone discovering a new invention, I say good for them. It was a good idea and many people enjoy using the site.

It is interesting to see how our entertainment spectrum has changed. Technology has evolved and now allows us to watch videos and tap into the lives of others. Sometimes i sit back and think how my grandmother and dad felt when the telvision first came out. What were they thinking when they could view all sorts of stories. Are their feelings anything different that what we feeling after we watch our youtube videos.

When I watched this, I couldn't help but think of the scene in "Napoleon Dynamite." Still, I thought it was pretty interesting how he really did show a kind of chronological "evolution of dance."

The whole idea of "being somebody" on YouTube brought to mind those six girls and two boys in Florida who attacked another girl on video. When I first read that news story, I was appalled by their behavior and curious as to whether the concept of Internet fame had desensitized them to their deplorable actions.

I have been watching Sportscenter since I was born. This is by the far the worse commentating job I've ever seen. He was only a freshman but come on! They left him out to dry, it should have been stopped after the "dynamite" comment.

My cousin showed me this awhile ago. It is really funny but I have to give respect to the guy...he can dance. Elvis and MC Hammer would be proud.

Youtube is the best website ever created. If my friends and I are bored Youtube is always there with ridiculously funny clips to keep our amusement for hours.

I get that this is cute. I will grant that. But what is the point? I don't understand why so many people watch this video. At least the Numa Numa guy is entertaining.

Ok, this guy is really creepy. Who thinks to take a picture of themself everday for 6 years. Who has that much free time and dedication. More importantly, who thinks this is interesting? I think it is a great idea for a child to chronicle growth, but this is weird.

Just like blogs have made writers publishers, YouTube has made the average person a film maker. Think about, everyone looks for their 15 minutes of fame. YouTube grants them access to the entire world. I'd say that gives them more than 15 minutes.

There are plenty of people, myself included, who have this creative side. This need or desire to "make" something meaningful. For me, it is to write. Most of us don't think we have an outlet for our creativity because, afterall, we are not gifted writers, film makers, and thespians. YouTube gives us an outlet to express ourselves. I believe that is why YouTube and, for that matter, blogs, have taken on a life of their own. It is a catalyst for creativity for the every day person.

The question is if there is a danger in this. One of the kids I nanny for is fascinated with The Wiggles. When looking for a Wiggles video for him on YouTube, I cam across a family video of two little kids getting Wiggles toys for Christmas. It may be cute to send this video to the family's friends and relatives, but should the whole world have access to it, too? Everyone tells young people to protect their identity on the Internet, but then YouTube provides unlimited access to so many otherwise-personal videos.

This is a nice way for people to learn another technology, rather than doing the same thing all of the time, which is just watching the television. Maybe adults of an older generation would like to learn this technology.

Yea, you would think that would be the first thing that the founder of U-tube would know. What started your bussiness off is usally an important detail to remember

it is easy to see how something like this could happen- you start posting funny videos of your friends, they post of theirs, you open it up, and you have a movement...

We discussed in class why people would want to be on Youtube. This quote here is a great example. People want their five minutes of fame. They think that because other people are watching their videos they are star because they are entertaining them.

Sifting through the millions of piences of crap enables us to accidentally come upon such gems as "Boom Goes the Dynamite", "Treadmill Dane", and Lonelygirl15. Users could possibly feel a sense of discovery when finding such unique entertainment. It's like being on your own personal entertainment expedition.

When discussing target content relevant to what the marketer is selling, personal information is getting collected and data possibly being manipulated. Nonopticon surrounds us.

I think more money is now put into online advertisements than TV advertisement. Is it fair to say that the computer is almost (that is in popularity and phenomenon (sp?)) as big of a pop culture invention as the TV was in the 50s?

What about copy right laws?

I agree that advertisers are having trouble with televison. With TiVo and DVRs becoming more affordable, there is almost no need to watch commercials. They make it so easy to skip through a commercial while watching a program. I have recently noticed that advertisers are responding to this by creating more comical and appealing commercials. There are some commercials that I actually like viewing now.

Yes...until recently. Now, there is limitless space on the Internet. Highly viewed websites such as MySpace, Facebook, and You Tube have provide great outlets for companies to advertise. These sites are often viewed more frequently than most television shows, and they are often unavoidable. You can get up, get a snack, or use the restroom during a commercial break on television, but you can't click off an advertisement or an icon while its on a webpage.

This seems to be reflective of everyone's desire for "15 minutes of fame." The internet is making that a reality. The question is whether or not this is a good thing. Yes, it is easy and possible. It is revolutionizing our culture, and people constantly want to search and discover interesting morsels of entertainment. But is it becoming an obsession, especially with some people? With the huge number of broadcasts daily, it makes you think so.